Looking for law enforcement related jobs.
Hi! I am currently looking for jobs that are in the law enforcement area. My dream job is to become a homicide detective. I would love to have a job where I can get experience in that field. I have four years (and continuing) of secretarial experience and one year of retail experience.
Very seldom do I agree with many of the posts on these blogs. This is a first! To summarize:
- College education. Doesn't matter what degree but look at the long term life goals. Where do you want to be at 42 or 50 years old? College isn't for everyone but it opens doors, police jobs included. Some places require a master's degree.
- Get physically fit.
- Qualify and maintain weapon certifications.
- Travel out of your comfort zone.
- Look at military experience. I'd go in as an officer, especially Militat Police. But it doesn't have to be that specific branch.
- Becoming a detective takes years of being on the beat. Some may take 10 years depending on the competition.
- Good luck
Dear Shavana Lewis, Good Afternoon! My humble suggestion is for you to complete your Bachelor's degree in a field that is growing and producing a respectable salary with benefits. Prepare an Excel Spreadsheet and categorize different industries that may be of interest to you using www.google.com and other search engines. Then "map" your College major to the field of your choice. Law Enforcement jobs will provide you a reasonable income, but its a lonely job working long hours, weekends and holidays. Many of your potential co-workers including Supervisors will intimidate you or disrespect you by sexual harassment. There is a thin line between Police and Criminals. But, if you are sincere, after you graduate from College a Bachelor's degree. Then join the US Military and start off as a Lieutenant with MOS (Military Police). After (4) years, you may leave with the rank of Captain. Your Excel Spreadsheet can categorize Federal and State Governments with job openings for Law Enforcement. (ex: FBI, NSA, CIA, Secret Service, Capitol Police, US Park Police, Homeland Security, TSA, US Customs and Border Patrol, US Coast Guard, ATF, etc... Next, you can check with US Marshals, State Police, Sherriff Department, City Police. BUT, I don't recommend Correctional Officer jobs for women because of the tremendous anxiety, pressure, stress Male Officials/Officers endure from Male Prisoners continuously looking to either escape from Prison or sexually assault / rape female staff to release Psychological and Physiological tension. Any female staff taken hostage during Prison riot is guaranteed to be raped multiple times before they kill her to avoid testimony in Court. Conclusion, take a few trips around the country and perhaps to overseas destinations to open your horizons. (ex: Canada, England, Italy, Germany, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico). This may help you decide better on your career goals. Have a nice day! Respectfully, Hassan Muhammad
Hi Shavana, Have you looked into the recruiting program for the Sacramento Police department? Here's some detailed info on their [Recruiting Programs](https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Police/Join-SPD/Recruiting-Programs#hiring workshop) and Hiring Process. The recruiting programs includes a ride-along and run with a recruiter opportunities. The process to get into any law enforcement agency is competitive but definitely worth pursuing if it's your dream to work within that field. Don’t wait, get started today!
Agree on volunteering to gain police /security/ fire related experience to see first if you really do like the line of work (in all seriousness there are jobs in "crime scene' cleanup - only suggest as homicide is far less glamorous than portrayed on various TV "unreality" shows). If you can get a bit of security experience , suggest you look at a position with Transportation Security Administration (airport TSO- good thing here is u get exposure to an array of state, local and federal "police" related folks). Can find at USA.gov and/or on TSA web site. This is a good way to get ur foot in the door for various Department of Homeland police/security related positions e.g. customs, border, air marshal, etc. Maybe you can leverage ur secretarial experience in positions like police, 911 dispatcher , etc. good luck
Join the military and go into military police and work on your degree while you can. Police academy is no joke especially for someone that is coming straight as a civilian. A lot of my military friends that are now police were prior military and said they had a much easier time during the academy. Right now I am looking at an alternative to law enforcement as my body has had a bit to much damage for Sheriffs and police departments are concerned ( I told them during the interview and showed them my medical records). But hey go for it! don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Did you research your "dream job". You should. Real life law enforcement is nothing like you see on those crime shows on TV. Do you think you can pass the police exam? I thought I could when I took it back when I was 18. I failed it miserably. Do you have the physical ability of passing the rigorous training of the police academy. Sitting behind a desk all day in an office looking pretty doesn't prepare you for that type of work. Do you have what it takes to fire a weapon at someone if necessary to save your own life or someone else's? Have you ever fired a weapon. I never got accepted into the police, instead I joined the army. Still, just as rigorous. The training was eight weeks of physical and psychological torture. You have to toughen up to handle the demands of the job. I barely kept up with the physical requirements. It took me forever to learn how to fire a weapon and actually hit my targets, too. Its not easy, and for most of us, it doesn't come natural. You have to like grueling physical challenges, be strong and physically fit and be emotionally strong as well. They are certainly not going to baby you. Research before you get into it. You'll be glad you did. By the way, before I joined the army, I thought I was physically fit. I was on a swim team for 4 years and did hard heavy physical work for my job. When I was evaluated for boot camp, I failed. They sent me to "push-up" school for ten days because I couldn't do "one" full proper push-up. They don't let you do those girly push-ups, either. You've got to keep up with the men. I'm pretty sure its the same way at the police academy. But if you really want to do it, you can. You just have to put your mind up to it. I served in the army for 8 years, and enjoyed the experience. If your interested, the army always has a need for military police.
Startwire .Com and lvmpd.com
Research law enforcement opportunities in your city by going online to different law enforcement agencies e.g. Police, Sheriff, Court Officers, etc. and see what the educational requirements are, for some, you need a 2 or 4 year college degree. This is the best place to start. Also, check out correctional officers for specs on requirements. Good luck. It's a great idea to be on the side of law enforcement, especially, how they treat people. Hopefully, you will make a difference.
Shavana Lewis..........have you considered volunteer work at your local P.D. or law enforcement agency while still holding on to your current job? All help is appreciated AND you become familiar with your "dream job" :) Ride alongs, clerical help, etc. Contact your local department and offer your services in a volunteer capacity to start..........Blessings to you in a new endeavor ! !
If I were you, I'd start applying a college grant and scholarship and start schooling and obtain your Criminal Justice Degree. Most Police Departments hire people as required with Criminal Justice Degree. You can start your online classes in Forensic Science as well. Plenty ways to get your foot into the door Shavana. GOOD LUCK.