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[cleirach70]

I intend upon going to John Jay College in Massachusetts (it's not a guarantee it will happen, but I have a feeling I can make it) and was wondering if I would have to do anything in California to be a viable option due to the differences in laws in the two states, or would I just have to study California law to make myself a better option for a job in LAPD.

Now, the SWAT part. What would you say is the best path to take to be able to get into SWAT, other than military training (I recently decided I didn't want to join the military for personal reasons.) I'm currently in a light workout routine that I intend to make more difficult within the next few years. It's about 50 push-ups (nose to the ground, push up until my arms are straight), then about 50 sit-ups (arms crossed, pressed against my chest.) This is done every day, after I eat, which is often a high-protein meal such as chicken. I used to run every other day, but a recent injury has left doing so very difficult, but I will continue when the pain subsides.

[rheged]

Did John Jay open a police academy?
Last I looked they were one of the top 20 for criminal justice but had no police academy.

Going to college for with a cj major is not going to help you get on LAPD (or any other major department) more than having a degree in virtually anything form an accredited school.

As far as reciprocity goes if you graduate from a real NY police academy and pass the state test for certification but never work as a real police officer California POST will not give you any credit for your academy time. You have to work as a full time officer for at least 2 years (or equivalent for PT) to be eligible for reciprocity. Even with that LAPD will send you to an academy for their own stuff, it will just be shorter. You will have to take an out of state officer POST test for certification on state laws, etc.


To prepare for SWAT you of course have to be in excellent condition. Other than that once you are and LAPD officer you have to do excellent work for about 5 years and then wait for openings and testing to be offered.
If you have done really good work and have gotten yourself noticed internally by the bosses for your work you have a leg up on others since their is an oral portion to the SWAT testing.

If your being specific to LAPD they used to prefer marines for employment. I have heard that that is no longer true.
Many departments give some entrance preference test points for veterans but that is about all that being a military veteran (and the shape you should be in) helps now a days.
Lots of people watch TV so lots of people want to be in SWAT, until they learn how boring it can be.

Edit: You need at least a masters to teach in any community college, a Phd for a university.
There are tons of experienced cops with masters and Phd.s looking for adjunct work, let alone full time.

LAPD academy is tough. Both academically and physically, well beyond just the entrance requirements.

As far as 60 semester hours goes most modern departments want at least that. For promotion to sergeant and above most want a bachelors or 120 semester hours. A number of the better paying high end suburban departments around my area are demanding a bachelors for entrance now, it is the trend.

[yago]

You are years away from being eligible for SWAT. Getting in shape is great but you probably are at least seven to ten years away from being considered for SWAT assuming that you were hired tomorrow.

[andor25]

You are a dork. Grow up son.