General Forums >> Introductions >> Looking for some tips
Looking for some tips
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Posted 3 months ago Hello, I am aspiring to become a deputy sheriff or police officer in Southern California, I am 21 years old tomorrow, married, with no military experience or college degree. I have passed both written and physical tests exceptionally for a certain county in So-Cal, but was turned down in the interview/background investigation for not having enough high-responsibility work experience or related education. Down, but not out, I set to work trying to remedy the issues that the senior deputy laid in front of me. I am currently in EMT school and should be taking the national registry to become a certified EMT in about 3 months and I am trying to find work related to law enforcement. I have tested for a civilian position in the same department, unfortunately against 250 (mostly older, more experienced) candidates for one position open. I am trying to find assets protection work or anything involving authority/safety, to little avail, once purely because of a conflict of interest with my wife's employer. I have a perfectly clean record and zero drug history. Those are the facts about myself, my question is whether there is anything else I can be doing to launch my career in law enforcement, any tips for doing so, and any suggestions at all. Thank you. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Sounds like you are on the right track. keep filling out those apps and handing them in. It is a lot of work but well worth it. have you thought about relocating. I know that Montana and and North Dakota are having a hard time finding qualified applicatants to fill positions around our states. Good luck and keep up the good work. Bad stuff happens to good people, handle it and overcome.
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| Posted 3 months ago Welcome to policelink from sunny south Florida. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Thank you for the information. I'm not opposed to relocating, but I don't want to drag my wife away from her family here, and she is still in college for another year or two to become a teacher. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Welcome to PL from the midwest, southern CA is very competitve now for LEO jobs. |
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| Posted 3 months ago MJS, Welcome and happy 21st birthday! Don't do anything tonight that might ruin your career plans. SoCal is very competitive, but it looks like you're doing the right things. You may want to think about a degree for yourself too. Many departments require one to promote past a basic rank to sergeant or detective. perhaps you can work driving an ambulance while you work on a degree, then you'll have both education and high-stress, decision-making work experience...? just a thought. And, you can make that degree in just about anything, so pick something that you're interested in that could become a second/back-up career option...teaching, psychology, computer or social sciences, would all be relevant to police work and civilian life before/after. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Thanks a lot, Dave! They told me I'd have to be a perfect candidate to get in at my age, last time. I have some community college experience, maybe I:lol continue that after EMT school if I can. It's good to hear "until I made ot" stories! |
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| Posted 3 months ago Thanks for the ideas, Metro! My thinking is that I'll work as an EMT (in an ambulance/at sporting events/concerts, etc) and that can show the high-stress work history. If I don't get accepted somewhere before I have accumulated 1,000 hours of work as an EMT I'll continue to Paramedic school and take the next step there while still trying. |
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| Posted 3 months ago UPDATE: I now have a handgun safety card (and a handgun), a basic life support for the healthcare provider card (CPR/AED), am on my way to becoming an EMT, and am testing for two local departments (1 county, 1 city) in the next 2 months. Also waiting on a concealed carry application. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Enroll in a community college. The CCW permit will not be of assistance as everyone and their brother has one. I was an ambulance attendant for two years waiting to turn 21 which did assist. Those with degrees will have a leg up on you. Just continue to apply and also consider self sponsor in an academy. Also keep in mind law enforcement agencies like former military personnel. |
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| Posted 3 months ago There is a lot of competition in So Cal for police jobs. The minimum requirements will not be enough. You could try military reserves as a medic for experience. You can still be at home and work except for a weekend a month. If you have time, you can work for a degree online if going to a traditional college is not possible. I do not see you getting much of a look without college or military. I am working for my degree while working full time as an officer. I am at the top of my abilities with the education I have. To progress I need a degree. You will as well unless you are content working patrol for your whole career if you do get in. |
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| Posted 3 months ago If you need high stress experence, try teaching Pre-school *eg* Welcome to Police Link from Tennessee |
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| Posted 3 months ago TNDEPUTY says ...
high stress, try running a large day care. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Welcome to PL and bump what others have said, just short of some military experience all you can do is keep applying. I would say while you are waiting enroll in a JUCO at least to get some Police Science courses under your belt and the degree will help you later in your career. |
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| Posted 2 months ago MJS1992 says ...
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