My goal in posting this information is to help those reading these lines to realize the dream they have about becoming a Law Enforcement Officer. I do not claim to be an expert, but after thirty years on the job I believe that at least some of the ideas and suggestions I'm passing along may be helpful in your quest. I've ...

As the competition for coveted law enforcement positions increases throughout the country, police and federal recruiters have the luxury of picking and choosing the absolute best and brightest individuals. More often than not, police chiefs, sheriffs, and recruiters are turning to military veterans to fill these positions as they staff the next wave of warriors in the war on crime. Like ...

The hiring process used by law enforcement governmental entities differs quite a bit from the private sector.  That divergence in process includes quantity and type of resumes.  As a long-time criminal justice educator and former police chief, I have long counseled aspiring badge bearers on preparing their employment application packets in a bid to grab their coveted law enforcement agency slot. ...

_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 ...

What does it take to become a police officer? Mental and physical strength and agility, patience for a lengthy application process, graduation from a police academy -- and a relatively clean police record. Indeed, for a job that pays a middling wage, is potentially dangerous and sometimes involves long and strange hours, policing is a demanding career. That's why city police ...

[photo:539281]Are you nearing the end of your military service contract/career and considering a new career in law enforcement? Police Officers and Military Personnel are a special breed of people. For the most part, we have an attraction to action, conflict, and non-simplistic lifestyles where everything can change in a moments notice. We also like working in structured environments where we often ...

These FAQs are intended to answer some of the most common questions we receive here at PoliceLink asking how to land a career as a law enforcement officer. We encourage anyone interested in a law enforcement career to begin their journey by using the comprehensive guides we have put together. These guides cover everything you'll need to know on how to ...

One of the most common questions I get overseeing criminal justice and police academies is from students who want to know what law enforcement agency they should apply to. The answer is not so simple. There have long been a variety of factors to consider when deciding where to apply. This has only become more complicated by the downturn in the ...

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 ...

Will you fit in? Are you old enough? Are you too old? Do you have a criminal record? Understand the basic requirements of joining a department here with: p((. • Basic eligibility requirements p((. • Reasons to join p((. • Benefits overview p((. • Law Enforcement vs. Civilian Comparison *+Basic Eligibility Requirements+* Eligibility requirement can vary from department to department. You ...

Being the new guy isn’t easy. It’s even harder when you’re entering a group as close-knit as a police force. It can be intimidating and confusing, but don’t let your rookie status stand in the way of success. Check out these 9 tips that can help you succeed as a rookie and grow into a seasoned, knowledgeable veteran. See The List ...

You've done some research and are interested in finding out more - a lot more. Now it's time to talk with recruiters! Though it can be nerve-racking, just remember that you are under NO OBLIGATION when talking with a recruiter. However, you must be prepared and on your best behavior. Your first meeting with a recruiter has the potential for making ...

What does it take to become a police officer? Mental and physical strength and agility, patience for a lengthy application process, graduation from a police academy - and a relatively clean police record. Indeed, for a job that pays a middling wage, is potentially dangerous and sometimes involves long and strange hours, policing is a demanding career. That's why city police ...

Twelve years ago I got my first departmental email address and thought it was the coolest and most comprehensive electronic communication tool that I would ever use or need. I also assumed it was completely private, belonged only to me and that when I hit “delete” it went away forever. For an oldster who was born prior to 1960, I’ve learned ...

There are many companies out there that offer study guides for generic law enforcement exams. If the recruiter you spoke to recommended one over another – buy it and study it from cover to cover. The exam is often times your key into the rest of the application process. Do good, because if you’re applying with multiple agencies, you can expect ...

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 ...

Growing up, I would always stand in awe and stare every time I saw a police officer. Whether at the mall with my parents, or seeing a squad car driving down the road, Police officers were my heroes. That dark blue uniform, with that shiny badge glistening in the sunlight displayed authority to me, it portrayed the “good guys”, that’s what ...

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 ...

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 ...

There are limitless paths you can take within law enforcement, and they all start at the same place: the street. Your first few years should give you a good idea of the direction you want to take in your career. Do you want to stay on the street the whole time? Do you want to make sergeant, lieutenant, or even chief? ...