PoliceLink

Congratulations to SeanJon for your restraint and tolerance of greyfox, i would have blown him off or worse by now, even reading you posts I think you have given him far more codsideration than he deserves.  I hope, but don't believe, that your and other posts will eventually soak in , if he greyfox could just see himself as others see him, he might be able to learn something.

Yo!  Marine 42! Funk what everyone says!  Are you in decent physical shape and good frame of mind?  If your answer is yes, then WTH are you asking for???  Just do it!!  Get your keester out there and make it happen.  I was 44 when I got started.  27 yrs retired army SGM.  Make it happen MARINE!!!

Go for it - if it's your hearts desire don't let your dream get away

CaptainDan166 says ...

I agree with the age comment, I too love this career. What concerns me is that you twice said "superiors" making bad decisions, is that to say that the hard working sergeants don't occassionally have a bad day?

 

Sgt405 says ...

How old is too old? Gee, wait, I'm 56 and still doing this and love it. As long as you can do it mentally and physically go for it. Our regional academy also has both full and auxilliary terms. The oldest I have seen is 52.  I almost went with another dept. 3 years ago because I was asked to. I know a Sgt. there and they desparately needed "maturety" there. Seems all they were getting were 21-24 year olds who just wanted to kick ass. 

Be aware though, you say you love the tactics and have the mindset. I don't know if you REALLY know law enforcement or are in love with the idea of law enforcement. Its tedious, time consuming, full of complaints, standing in the rain/heat/cold, putting up with bad decisions by superiors, covering for your troops because you know they are right even when your superiors say they were wrong, etc etc etc. Get my drift. 

Its still the best job on the planet. 

 

I was trying to make a point that this line of work is not the glamor portrayed by the edited 30 minutes on "COPS". And yes, I have had to cover for guys because of bad policy. When the powers that be decide that they know better after riding a desk for their careers  and were on the strreet for maybe a couple of years before that and kissed the right ass I tend to help my street guys. If that troubles you, well, you'll just have to call me in.

marine42 says ...

   I am 42 and thinking of making a career change.  I have a keen interest in law enforcement at the local or deputy sheriff level.  We have a police academy very close and they offer a "part time" evening academy ( 6 to 10 mon. through thurs. and every other sat.).  This is a year long academy and the only way I could attend due to job requirements, etc...     My BIG question in everyones opinion,  is 42 too old to get into law enforcement?  I'm in decent physical shape, and have an active job.  I was in the Marines for 6 years and love tactics and related topics.  I guess you could say I have the mindset.  I've done one ride along with the local sheriff's deputies and loved it.  What's your thoughts on age?  How old is too old?  Thanks.  

I am 45 and still enjoy the job. I have been with department for 19 years, I can retire next year, Will I? probably not. I have fellow officers who are into their 60s and love there job. I have observed them hold their ground when dealing with hostiles and come out smiling.  I have been so impressed with these guys that it gives something to look forwarded to

Good luck!!

I also am 47  and have thought of joining LE however i heard it was like the Military that 35 is cut off.

Federal Law prohibits age discrimination.  Period.............unless you are applying for a federal job.  There you can't enter the federal workforce post 35, unless it is a specialized position where that age restriction has been lifted.   My state (CA) follows suit.   Local agencies can't discriminate on age, so the filters are physical agility (which is good) and the medical examination.  If you pass both and want to work, then welcome aboard.

MARINE42 DONT FOR A MINUTE THINK THAT YOUR TO OLD. YOUR ONLY AS OLD AS YOU WANNA BE. I AM 38 AND HAD THE SAME THOUGHTS. I HAVE BEEN ON MY DEPT FOR 15 MTHS NOW AND GIVE THE YOUNG GUYS A GOOD RUN FOR THIER MONEY .  I THINK THE LIFE EXPERIENCES AND MATURITY LEVEL IS A PLUS ( NOT SAYIN ANYTHING BAD ABOUT YOUNG LEO'S ) BUT A DEPT NEEDS THAT BALANCE, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR AGE WISDOM, SO GO FOR IT, GOOD LUCK

I am 48 and trying to become a LEO. The only roadblocks I've found are educational, and geographic. As long as you have some sheepskin it will be only a matter of location, finding a state/agency to apply to. I have enrolled in local Community college criminal justice programs to gain needed credit hours. Life experience has not qualified me, although I am well qualified in this and many other "practical  application " areas. Most of the cops I have spoken to recognize my abilities and are very supportive ! Anyways keep pushin ! Good Luck.

P.S. As a Marine, you are already qualified for most Agencies!!!!

Reklaw says ...

There rally isn't too mny "too olds"  some states like Illinois hve  limit of I believe 36, but experience changes the age. 

I for one think under 25 is too young

 

I was sworn as a North Carolina LEO at the age of twenty and I have now been in Law Enforcement going on a year and a half.  It was difficult being a 20 YO cop and I continue to be challenged in some situations at the age of 21, however, I do believe as long as one is truely willing to step up to the plate and be an example to those to the best of their ability one will have a successful career in Law Enforcement.  I will be the first to admit, I sometimescatch myself wispering,"I"m too young for this shit!!!"   ...... I guess it just depends on the person and the department which they work for....    But again, I'm sure 5...10 or 15 years from now i will look back and say. "Under the age of 25 is too young for Law Enforcement!"....  All I can do is keep my head on straight and learn from those who I look up to!

Be safe,

Ofc. Smith

Checksix says ...

I am 48 and trying to become a LEO. The only roadblocks I've found are educational, and geographic. As long as you have some sheepskin it will be only a matter of location, finding a state/agency to apply to. I have enrolled in local Community college criminal justice programs to gain needed credit hours. Life experience has not qualified me, although I am well qualified in this and many other "practical  application " areas. Most of the cops I have spoken to recognize my abilities and are very supportive ! Anyways keep pushin ! Good Luck.

P.S. As a Marine, you are already qualified for most Agencies!!!!

Not exactly checksix.......in reality, you might want to rethink that. Military service doesnt guarantee you will be hired AND be effective in LE.  I am in the military, and since its one of my two careers (LE being the other) I dont feel I have to mince words or at all hide behind the "its unpatriotic to criticize the military" mentality, and I would venture to say that 90% of those I come across have no business even ever applying for LE.  You can be in athletic shape, you can put rounds into a fleas ass at 300m, you can recict the NCO creed while intoxicated....but becomming a cop and making it as a cop is a whole different kettle of fish.  Sure....the military gives you MANY more tools than the average applicant who is only coming with community college, but those tools can only help you if you have the intelligence, the maturity, the ability to think on your feet, the mindset to play the mental game that is LE, and on and on.

sx3surf says ...

Reklaw says ...

There rally isn't too mny "too olds"  some states like Illinois hve  limit of I believe 36, but experience changes the age. 

I for one think under 25 is too young

 

I was sworn as a North Carolina LEO at the age of twenty and I have now been in Law Enforcement going on a year and a half.  It was difficult being a 20 YO cop and I continue to be challenged in some situations at the age of 21, however, I do believe as long as one is truely willing to step up to the plate and be an example to those to the best of their ability one will have a successful career in Law Enforcement.  I will be the first to admit, I sometimescatch myself wispering,"I"m too young for this shit!!!"   ...... I guess it just depends on the person and the department which they work for....    But again, I'm sure 5...10 or 15 years from now i will look back and say. "Under the age of 25 is too young for Law Enforcement!"....  All I can do is keep my head on straight and learn from those who I look up to!

Be safe,

Ofc. Smith

Just FYI dude, your profile indicates that you are "considering joining". You may want to update your profile with agency, status, et al. Be safe.

grayfoxthe5th says ...

well for one i did infact get ahead of my self and did get rattled at the fact that i spoke before i thought. I do apologize for my horrible spelling,sadly i went to a crapy school so i got a crapy education.second a 59 on the test thats realy good. so i know im over competent and have a high outlook on myself,but to hear that people think that i should have to wate for 7 years to do the job that im set on and for the fact that they think b/c im young and unexperienced! well the best way to learn a job is to do it and now that i think about it,i bit off way more than i could chew by saying that i could do a better job than most LEOs, i was ticked at one persons commit and i took it out on every body. and when i take my time i can spell ok but i will take up the offer on the electronic dictionary if it still stand.

 

 

Anyone notice how nothing's his fault?  Spoke before thinking..  Went to a crappy school so it excuses him from learning how to spell and produce grammatically correct sentences.   Has a high self-esteem (probably because everyone around him told him he was great and this and that instead of teaching him realistically, but I digress..) so it's okay to attempt to belittle people whom are keeping his little butt safe. 

Sounds a little more to me like it's a matter of mommy and daddy gave him everything so he thinks the world owes it all to him too.  IF it were required that all LEOs were to be 25 before being appointed to a department or academy, you'd be S.O.L kiddo.  That's just the way it is.  Be glad you've only gotta wait until you're 21 (atleast most departments anyway).

Drkvamp says ...

lena_pearl says ...

Looking for advice... I am very green (new) in the topic of law enforcement as far as a possible career.  I've looked into some things on this site and I've looked into some colleges and universities with online courses in criminal justice.  My goal would be to get a BS while I am a stay-at-home mom for my two small children.  I am guessing that I should get myself into top physical condition, learn some defensive manuevers, find out if I can hit a target with a gun, and have some very serious talks going on with my husband and other family members that may or may not be opposed to my decision.  I have always been a fan of 007 action packed type shows, detective shows, etc.--LOL this scares my husband a little.  I know that being a police officer will be very hard work with lots of emotionally and physically draining experiences and can't help but know that there will be some boring stents in there as well as lots of paperwork to fill out.  Nonetheless,  I am 32 y/o now and it seems that if I wait too much longer to start a career like this that I will keep feeling empty and helpless and that I will keep wishing that I have done something fulfilling with my life that will also free me from feeling guilty about our decreased budget.  I love my children and would like nothing more than to be a better role-model for them as they grow up.  My recent dayfreams of eventually becoming a member of a SWAT team or a member of the FBI are fading a little bit as I realize that I will be in my 40's by the time I get there.  Encouragement?  Discouragement?

At 32 you're still good to apply.  Yes, definately get yourself into the best physical, mental, emotional, and psychological shape of your life before going to an academy (or hiring on, depending on your area).  Have those talks with your husband, your kids, friends, family members, and anyone else who's opinion matters to you. 

PLEASE, PLEASE, and I can not stress this enough PLEASE do not make the mistake of thinking that a police officer's job is like the shows on TV.  Even COPS, LAPD, Street Patrol, Speeders, and all the other shows, movies, series, and mini-shows are no where near what really happens.  They pick the most entertaining things to keep John and Jane Q. Public watching to show.  They don't show the hours of paperwork, court appearances, or worse yet,  the times where your brothers and sisters in LE are in danger, or you pull up to a scene and you see a child laying on the ground that looks a bit like your son or daughter, but as you get closer you realize it's not.  They never tell you about how an officer could have to shoot and kill a 13 year old gangbanger, because he/she fired on them.  They don't show the lost sleep, broken marriages, or any of the other things officers go through. 

I do NOT want to discourage you from following your dream.  Just don't romanticize it, or get into it for the wrong reasons,  You'll hate it, and that's when you'll make a mistake that'll cost lives.

Good advice, but be sure your family is on board before you even start, a spouse opposed to a LE career could easliy end up in a divorce situation, when you are hired is not the time to find that family members are opposed to your new career.

My name is actually Sally.  But I thought to put lena_pearl because I am at a crossroad in my life.  I figure I can focus on having a third child (whom I would have named Lena Pearl) OR opting for a major career change.  I can't do both because my skills have not proven to be in the area of raising small children and the first two my husband and I have decided will be our last.  I'm not a bad parent.  Just not patient enough with the little ones and that is not fair to them.  You asked for an introduction.  I graduated HS and went right into being a nurse assistant at a long term care facility because I wanted to help people and my previous experience taught me that I had a lot of patience with adults and older people.  As an only child of a single overprotective mother I had no experience with babies, small children, or any children unless they were classmates of mine.  

Shall I change my post name to "rambles a lot"?

In college I decided to get a degree in nursing and become a Registered Nurse.  I finished the degree and graduated and loved my sciences, maths, and psychology courses.  My teachers would never know it unless they took the time to know me because at best I was a B student and got lots of C's.  Not good with tests...    (That is a concern of mine.  How can I study for tests that will come up in the LE aspect of life?   ie: ASVAB?  Did I get the acronym right?)  I did not ever start working as a nurse.  I had a bad feeling about being medically responsible for the lives of others.  I felt comfortable with everything from the sight of blood and practicing phlebotomy, etc. to various rotations in clinics, hospitals and specialty facilities.  I did not feel comfortable with remembering the medicines and thier various functions.  I was 21.  Times have changed for me and although I still kick myself for not wanting or pushing myself to go that route, I don't think all the money and life promoting practices, and positive work experiences in the world would have made up for any fatal or nearly fatal mistake that I was so afraid of making.   Does that make sense?

I worked as a nursing assistant since 1996 with gaps in between for schooling, and also for short bouts of stay-at-home parenting.  I have worked in some very awesome places and I have loved so many of my co-workers and patients that I credit for giving me confidence over the years and for providing knowledge that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Each day I worked I got the same question over and over again. "So when are you going to become a nurse?" 

It is not a nurse that I truly want to become.