Any advice on how to get started in Law Enforcement?

[syvwkh]

I am 18 years old and I am interested in becoming a Law Enforcement officer in my years to come. I just graduated from high school a few months ago and have been looking at my options in the Law Enforcement field. I have taken 3 years of Criminal Justice Operations in my HS. I have always wanted to become a member of a S.W.A.T team. I have always wanted to help people in this way. No one seems to be able to give me any advice on this. Which is the best way to become a member of S.W.A.T ? How do I become one ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

- Devin

[chadburne48]

Devin you need to be a cop first and for a bunch of years. Then if the department or the regional team has a spot open you may, if you've been one of the top cops, get a chance to try out. Only one department in North America has SWAT types teams that do that kind of work and nothing else. For the vast majority you do regular patrol work or work in a specialized unit until called up for a mission or for the 16 hours of extra training required monthly after the 40 hours of original training if picked.

To become a cop there are basically 2 ways. What method to use?, such as the oft cited “go to a police academy”, depends on the state you wish to become a cop in and the specific department. First the simplest. In many states you must be hired by a department first. They then send you to, at least, a basic police academy. You graduate, take and pass the state certification test and you are a cop working for the department that hired you. No matter what state they are in larger municipal departments like to do things that way. In other states you can “self sponsor”. That means you find a police academy, those states publish a list of approved schools, you apply, pay them, go through a basic academy, pass the state test, get certified and go out trying to find a job. Not until hired by a department are you a cop. Most of the larger or better paying departments require at least 60 semester hours of college. None care what you major in. They only care that the school is fully accredited and that all course of the 60 hours were at college level.

Right now there are thousands of self sponsor graduates pounding the pavement looking for work. In most states if they are not hired within a year of certification they have to attend a full academy again.
As far as education goes. No state requires more than a GED or HS diploma. Most better departments do require between 30-60 semester hours from an accredited college.
None, not one that I can find in my extensive research and experience, cares if your major was in criminal justice or in botany. Some do prefer management degrees but the vast majority do not care in any way what you major was.
I feel that cj is way to limited in scope for a future cop. Cops need wide ranging education and experience to be effective.
When you attend a police academy you get the current criminal justice classes you need to be a cop.
So you have to check the recruitment web sites for some departments you may wish to join to see what their requirements are and if they hire first when a test will be given.

[chozai65]

You already have a good start. I personally recommend that you go to a 4 year college and get a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or Police Science. After that, attend and graduate from a police academy, and get a job as a police officer. You need to have 3 years of experience to become a swat team member. If you want another advantage (S.W.A.T. is really competitive) get a masters degree (will take 2 years to complete) online while working as a cop.

Having military experience will be a HUGE plus for swat. If your interested, you should go for the ROTC
program. You will be an officer, and they will pay for most if not all your college. or just enlist.

Also, keep in good shape physically, learn to use a firearm asap (the sooner the better). and S.P.R. and First Aid Certification will be a plus.


Good Luck and Dont give up.

[avikar76]

Requirements to become a law enforcement officer vary and how you become a law enforcement officer varies depending on the agency. Visit the websites of the law enforcement agencies that you might want to work for. Law enforcement agency websites often provide information about their applicant requirements, about how to apply, and about their hiring process. Getting law enforcement officer jobs is becoming more and more competitive. If you want to become a law enforcement officer, you should get a college degree if you can. Getting a college degree is one of the best things that you can do if you want to become a law enforcement officer. Many agencies require or prefer applicants to have college. Having a degree can help you get hired. Some agencies pay their officers more if they have a degree. Having a degree can also help you get promoted during your career. Do whatever else you can to make yourself the best candidate that you can. Don't do anything illegal. Maintain a good reputation. Keep a good driving record. Don't get bad credit. Improve all of your communication skills as much as possible. Practice to improve your observation and memory skills. Become as physically fit as you can. How well you do on written tests and during interviews can be very important when trying to get police officer jobs. Prepare for any tests and interviews. Becoming a SWAT officer can be very competitive. If you want to become a SWAT officer, consider trying to get hired by a large agency. Become the best police officer that you can. Maintain an excellent record and reputation as an officer. Become as proficient with your issued weapons as you can. Best of luck!