PoliceLink

A common question received at PoliceLink relates to what a service member can do in order to best align their skills with those needed to succeed as a civilian law enforcement officer (LEO). In this section, we’ll help you figure out which areas of law enforcement your skills best suit you for. For active duty service members, this may help you ...

It’s a New Year and you want to fulfill your dream of landing that cop job. Now that the initial flurry of silly New Year’s Resolutions have fallen by the wayside, let’s get serious. In order to help you on that quest, this Cop Career Counselor column is geared towards helping you shape your New Year’s resolutions towards that goal. Around ...

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are the third most in-demand profession in the Homeland Security sector. There is projected need for 265,000 officers by the end of 2014; but that is not to say that some states have a higher need than others. The following is a guide to help you navigate, state by state, the law enforcement employment gauntlet. h4. ...

A police officer's world is populated by unsavory characters, regulated by laws, regulations and policies, and powered by spikes of adrenalin. A police officer's life is a balance between work and home, like every working person, but an officer's work is more than just their job -it is also who they are. The uniform, badge and gear may come off when ...

h4. The Psychological Examination In this phase of the application process you are asked to take a psychological examination conducted by a trained and licensed clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. Obviously the agency is trying to determine if you are mentally fit for the duties required of a Law Enforcement Officer. This is an important part of the application process because ...

Physicals vary from agency to agency and doctor-to-doctor so this topic is a little more complex than the others. I know the physician's office our agency uses has a questionnaire you must complete which is quite extensive in scope. I'm sure at this phase of the process you will face a battery of medical questions involving you personally and members of ...

The polygraph or lie detector examination is right up there in anxiety levels as the pre-employment interview. All kinds of questions roll around in the applicant's head as to what the polygraph examiner might ask. When I took the very first polygraph I felt the same way. I had visions of the examiner going all the way back deep into my ...

_To repeat myself I have no way of knowing what questions may be put to you in a pre-employment interview just like the application. I can only pass along pointers to help you get through the interview as best you can. The "oral" as so many people call it causes the most stress of any phase of the application process. Without ...

Just about every agency I have had dealings with in my career has both a physical agility test and a physical fitness program. In this line of work you have to maintain a high level of physical fitness as a means of self-preservation! Officer survival depends on you and your commitment to being physically able to handle the dangers of the ...

Many agencies large and small have some form of a pre-employment examination with questions that cover a variety of topics. I have taken many different types of pre-employment examinations and the questions differ from agency to agency. Some are based on Civil Service examinations others are made up from questions from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and still others ...

_The following is an excerpt from Paul Patti's book Deadly Mistakes Police Applicants Make._ The National Police Officer Selection Test (called POST or NPOST) is gaining popularity around the nation as an entry-level written test to gauge mental skills, basic intelligence and education level in police applicants. The states of Iowa, Utah and Wyoming have mandated the use of the NPOST ...

Learn to use scholarships to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses. While looking for money for school many servicemembers, veterans, and their families tend to overlook the over $300 million of military - and veteran - related scholarships and grants. These scholarships often go unclaimed due to the following misconceptions: "_Find a school that will get you ready for a career in law enforcement._":http://edu.policelink.com/?referral=pl_org ...

1. Saving for your own retirement is more important than saving for college. 2. The sooner you start saving, the better. 3. Stocks are best for your college savings portfolio. 4. You don't have to save the entire cost of four years of college. 5. With mutual funds, investing for college is simple. 6. 529 savings plans are a good way ...

Your degree choice will affect your future career opportunities and ultimate success. This compact guide will help you choose the degree that works for you. "_Find a school that will get you ready for a career in law enforcement._":http://edu.policelink.com/?referral=pl_org When making this decision, consider your current career path, future job markets, timeline and flexibility. Here are a few questions you need ...

People of all ages are choosing to further their education by obtaining bachelors and even masters' and doctoral degrees. Many people choose to go back to school to open new doors and get ahead in their job, as well as the rest of their lives! "_Find a school that will get you ready for a career in law enforcement._":http://edu.policelink.com/?referral=pl_org Sometimes it's ...

An education loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest. Federal law sets the maximum interest rates and fees lenders may charge for federally guaranteed loans, and nothing prevents a lender from charging lower fees. "_Find a school that will get you ready for a career in law enforcement._":http://edu.policelink.com/?referral=pl_org Here are three types of education loans: ...

Four new states have been selected for participation in the State Scholars Initiative, a national business-education partnership effort designed to increase the number of students who take a rigorous curriculum in high school, the U.S. Education Department announced today. _The states are: Missouri, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Wyoming._ Under the State Scholars Initiative, each state will receive up to $300,000 ...

Your lifelong dream has been to become a police officer. But you're still not exactly sure about how to make that dream a reality. Ten Steps to Joining the Force is a comprehensive guide detailing the path you should follow - from picking a law enforcement specialty to going through the academy and completing field training - to realize your dream. ...

The background check may be the most invasive experience you’ve had in your life. Everything about you will be checked out. Your character, your finances, your driving and criminal records. There information here will help you prepare for the background investigation: p((. • Be honest and upfront p((. • Tell your friends and family p((. • The polygraph p((. • Security ...

Congratulations! You got hired and you’re off to the academy. There is a lot to do before you start. Here we’ll tell you about: p((. • Police academy basics p((. • How to get in shape p((. • What to bring p((. • Schedules and timelines [widget:366] +*Police academy basics*+ The police academy is an environment of high discipline intended to ...