General Forums >> The Lobby >> Thinking about becoming an LEO
Thinking about becoming an LEO
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Posted about 1 month ago Hello all
I am 34 years of age, in the Navy Reserve right now, and I am giving serious consideration to possibly becoming a cop. I have also been a volunteer firefighter before and am currently a Third Class Petty Officer in the Seabees and I will be up for Second Class this Sept. I am in good physical shape having dropped 40 lbs since enlisting. The most trouble I have been in with regards to the law is a $30 parking ticket (which I promptly paid) and I have kept my nose clean since. I have a high school diploma with a mind toward earning my associate's or bachelor's degree (I have some courses in the military that might convert over to college credits; have to ask though) I have earned my marksmanship with the M9 pistol and have qualifications in both the M9 and the M240B crew served machine gun (The instructor said I was a crack shot) A little about myself I am divorced with three kids, like to play the guitar and am fluent in Japanese and to a lesser extent Spanish. I have in the past gotten certs in CPR, AED and Basic First Aid the latter of which is still valid. I have a strong passion to do the honorable thing and to do what is right. I would like someone to contact me in regards to my options and where to go to inquire if the life of a police officer is for me. Kudos to all of you brave police officers who face danger in the streets every day and please accept my thanks for doing your jobs keeping our communities safe.
Very Respectfully, Constance Goodnow Construction Mechanic Third Class USNR |
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| Posted about 1 month ago First of all, Welcome Aboard, PO Goodnow. Sounds as if you have the drive and motivation for a career in LE. You may wish to contact the local department in which you are interested in applying for information or go to their web site. The more education that you have in LE will be a plus for you. Be sure to look at all the aspects of LE to make sure it is the direction you want to go. Also check out this link for more information: http://policelink.com/benefits/4363-ten-steps-to-joining-the-force Best of luck! "Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results." - George S. Patton |
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| Posted about 1 month ago That's really great because I am hoping that they start issuing the M240-Bravo as a patrol rifle. What state do you hope to work in? I respectfully request Nikk and Henry be brought back as moderators please. PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY! |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Constance, you seem a good fit to me. I'm thinking you should pursue this. Any thoughts on what or where? Any leads? |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Knock it out! We always need good officers.
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| Posted about 1 month ago
That never gets old I respectfully request Nikk and Henry be brought back as moderators please. PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY! |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Welcome to Police Link |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Every state has a POST board or similar entity that governs law enforcement licensing. You can look up their websites on the internet, and each one will discuss how to start the process to becoming a police officer, as well as what the requirements are for that particular state. When you get a chance, contact your local PD and do some ridealongs, if possible. It'll give you a taste for what we do. Finally, like some of the other members noted, browse this site, as there is a lot of good articles and threads. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago ummmm....dude what are you waiting for? go fill out an application - NOW!
i cant friggin believe that this was actually a real, honest, sincere thread. nothing against Conster74 what so ever, but after every time i have looked into the ASK A COP>>Thinking about becoming an LEO, this is the first one that isnt absolutely absurd. seems to be a ligitimate person with an honest question with a probable future. i wish him the best of luck! LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY BUT RATHER TO SLIDE IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING "HOLY SHIT....WHAT A RIDE" |
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| Posted about 1 month ago My cousins' husband is a cop and has been on the force for some 17 years or so. I believe he made plainclothes detective but its been awhile since I chatted with him. Perhaps I will call him later on when he isn't busy and grill him for answers to all my questions :) I reside in the state of New York. As we are moving in a couple weeks (sold the house, property taxes up here are a KILLER) I imagine wherever we end up living is where I should check first... you know, a lot of departments are pretty touchy about officers living in the area in which they work. I might contact the Fulton PD if we end up there. I really hate to think about joining the one in Oswego as I think I would probably end up being more annoyed than satisfied. (The area is one I used to live in and is positively CRAWLING with child molestors and drug users.... I'm not fond of either group) I would not mind joining the Sheriffs Dept nor a City PD but as you said I would have to call them and check out their requirements. I am willing to undergo any training, schools, classes, etc. that they throw at me. A ride along? Holy shite, I am game :-)
Well anyway its going to be at least a couple of weeks before I can really do anything about looking into it what with moving and all. But, any and all leads would be highly appreciated. My one concern is police academy and would they let me have the time off from drills at the Navy Reserve (I would definitely try to arrange make up drills with my chain later on, or maybe with all the correspondence courses that I do I would max out on retirement points again this year and would not feel the missed drills as much.) In any case I will be contacting my chain ASAP to run all this past them. Definitely a lot to consider but I think it will be well worth it. CM3 |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Like Howard said, it's been awhile since I've seen a sincere thread in here. If Oswego's as bad as it sounds...then it sounds like a fun place to work. Plenty of POSs to play with Good luck |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Trust me, Oswego IS that bad. I've always felt there was something the f--- wrong with that town. Remember the mayor that liked 14 y.o. girls and tried to get a couple with offers of cocaine? That was Oswego's mayor (Gosek) He's tucked safely away in the Crowbar Hotel now :-) Oh the cops up there are nice enough but I sometimes wonder how they deal with it all, Oswego is a rough crowd sometimes :) |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Doing the right thing is a good character trait. Don't lose it. Apply now! "All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men (and women) do nothing."
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it may be a troll doing an impression of a duck. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Go for it lady. PD's are very good about military reserve time but I am not sure how it will work for the academy as they want you strictly to them during that time. I am sure something can be worked out. I hope that you have a very good plan to support your kids when you are gone for that period. Talk to your relative who is a cop and he can relate the good and the bad. Remember a PD is a career and a SO is more of a job as higher ranking deputies have to worry about their job whenever a new Sheriff is elected. Good luck and keep us informed. Welcome to PL. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago I talked to one of the Hamilton po-po coming through my checkout lane last night and told him of my thoughts. We had a nice conversation and he had the chance to size me up in person. He asked which department I was thinking of joining and I told him probably whichever locale we ended up moving to. He said I should probably get a sponsor. :)
I know, I know, its one of those pipe dreams that just pop into my head from time to time but traditionally whenever I have had one of those knee-jerk reactions such as going back to college, becoming a Vol FF, joining the Navy etc. I have done REALLY well despite never having done it before. I want to do it all before I die. :) I just want to get my life together and my shit straightened out and the Navy has helped me a whole hell of a lot but if I joined the PD too this would REALLY do it. Oh did I mention I am in the New YOrk State Naval Militia as well, and when I take the intermediate and coxswain courses I will be NYS's FIRST female Coxswain EVER. My point is I want to learn all I can and be as productive as I can. If for some reason the PD doesn't work out then I will look at becoming a paramedic. I have always had something inside of me that isn't happy unless I am keeping busy with helping others. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Shipmate, I'm a retired CB (CS2 (SCW)) and was NMCB-22. in Ft Worth, and I'm a full time Patrol Officer. I was able to arrange/ rearrange my drill schedules with respect to my work schedules. One thing you want to do is figure where you'll go for an academy and compare their schedule with your drill schedule. The academy I attended was at a local college, and they offered several different schedules. I'm in Texas, so I'm not familiar with the state your in (or may bee in), so I don't know what their POST requirements are for academies. Your on the right track, just do some research about that states POST requirements. Remember, theres more to this career than the Patrol Officer job- IE RSO, state police, Post Office, RailRoad, etc. That stuff will come with your research, also. Keep positive. I wasn't aware that my Dep't OIC was an IRS enforcement officer, my Gunny was a traffic officer, and our gunner was a deputy sheriff until I starting asking around! |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Come on now, "Swaygo" isn't that bad. I don't live in Oswego but do have a summer place in the county on Lake Ontario. There's going to be child molestors and drug users where ever you end up. Its what we call job security. I'll even bet there are more than a few in Hamilton. Check with the departments you are interested in and find out what qualifications are needed to be considered. Good luck from another (former) Sailor. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Constance We want you and I encourage you to apply
www.lasd.org Please write me if I can answer any questions
Put a Star in your future.... fabulous opportunities, bi lingual pay, shooting pay, hazard pay, bonus pay (2 striper).. most new deputies can make close to 100k in their first two years if you like overtime. LASD has its own police college.. you earn an AA for going through our academy.. the benefits and medical are the best is the US |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Thank you all for your most generous and well thought out responses. I just want to say "Look Out Crooks and Bad Guys Because Here I Come!" :-) To any dept that hears from me; you will NOT find a more willing, more determined to overcome any obstacles, or more attentive rookie cop ANYWHERE. After running with the Fire Dept for 1 1/2 years and 2 years running with the Seabees (Yesterday was my 2 year anniversary of my joining the Navy.... God has it BEEN that long????) It is safe to say I think I can do this thing. I have actually been thinking about this for a long time; I hope that my efforts will come to fruition. I know they will with your support and help. THANK YOU! |
