how Old were U when U Joined The Department, I'm Thinking of a Career Move

[cloudstrife]

If you truly feel that this is what you want to do and you are fully aware of what you are getting into then go for it. Im 23 and was hired this past August. I started the process at 21 but a State wide budget crisis held my class back almost two years. I'm not even done with college and lost alot of semeter time thinking I was going to the academy through those years. Unfortunatly had to drop alot of friends who I knew would have had me in trouble. Then i got this job and lost some more. Its hard to meet around everyones schedule and it became hard to relate. Alot changed around me fast. However, I would'nt change this career choice for the world!

[Jettubby]

Originally Posted by Bycyclist

Well, I'll be 43 and going to academy this fall, going into the local PD reserves first to check it out. I certainly don't think I'm too old and can more than hold my own physically vs. guys younger than me. Experience and guile make up for youth and strength (hopefully )

Amen brother!

[G McBride]

I changed careers at the same age as you. I had been self employed and he 21.5% interest rates of the early 80's did me and many small businesses in.

I went to work for the company I am still employed by at the age of 30. I worked hard and applied myself. I learned every job that someone was willing to teach me. Today I am the president of this company.

You are young enough to work you way to the top of many departments. If this is truly what you want to do, you need to go for it and put the same effort into this as you did building your own business from the ground up.

Having been self employed for your eight years, you will not want to stay at a lower level. You will want to fix everything that you see wrong internally and that will drive you to advance in rank.

Go for it. You are young enough that if you decide that is not for you that you can easily move on to a third or fourth career. Good luck.

[XD in SC]

My app is in at the ripe age of 36+. The Deputy in charge of hiring says everything is checking out fine, which I already knew. It's about a 6 week process for hiring. I am at about week 4 of the waiting process.

I am going reserves first also. Although everyone is begging me to just go full-time. I still enjoy what I do, but have a desire and burning deep inside to be an officer. I can test the waters, find out about the politics and still maintain my dependable income. For now........

[EvoIXGSR]

the only thing is that Baltimore for instance has just changed the retirement from 20 to either 25 or 30 years for new recruits. Might want to check onthat in your area

[MILSAPS118]

Originally Posted by XD in SC

My app is in at the ripe age of 36+. The Deputy in charge of hiring says everything is checking out fine, which I already knew. It's about a 6 week process for hiring. I am at about week 4 of the waiting process.

I am going reserves first also. Although everyone is begging me to just go full-time. I still enjoy what I do, but have a desire and burning deep inside to be an officer. I can test the waters, find out about the politics and still maintain my dependable income. For now........

All the best to ya.....Let us know how it goes!

[jcabin]

I'm going to a 4 year university for my criminal justice degree, im 22 now and just finishing up my freshman year. i wont have my degree till im 25, im wondering if that would effect anything about getting into a police force? i know the PA state troopers for instance require a 4 year degree minimum, and to be honest i havent never seen a PA trooper that looked younger than 30.. however i know what i want to do for the rest of my life im just undecided as to whether or not i want to be a state trooper or work in a city.. where the pay is better and theres more room on the ladder to climb.

[MILSAPS118]

Just thought I'd post a little update from my OP I started back in March '08.

I met with a counselor from a private college about getting my LE degree last month. After reviewing the info she gave me, it's going to cost me about 37K for a 2yr degree! $385/credit @ 93CR + books and enrollment fees. If I went to the local Community College it would cost me 1/2 that. I was leaning towards the private more so over the CC because I can do 100% of the schooling online. The CC only has a few classes you can do online so the rest I'd have to be on campus.

I can't justify the cost of Private -vs- CC just because of the flexibility in taking classes online. 15K more for the same piece of paper I'd be getting from either colleges, now I don't know what I'm going to do since my normal schedule doesn't really allow me room to fit 3 classes a wk into my schedule during the summer months. Either way I'll figure it out.

On another note, I just applied for a position with the local Police Reserves. I received a call 2 days after I submitted my app, for an interview! My buddie who applied for the same job was contacted a day before me, but shot down right over the phone when he was asked if he was currently going to school for LE (He has 1yr left for his ASS in CJ). He was told they are looking for candidates who are looking at 2+yrs of schooling ahead of them.

So here's where I'm at so far, and hope to pursue it further! Just thought I'd fill y'all in who encouraged me to go for it!

[XD in SC]

Congrats!

I also got a phone call saying I have been accepted for my local PD Reserves. I tried to wait out the SO Reserves, but for some reason the classes kept getting canceled, something to do with the Academy reworking the criteria.

SO now I get to start classes w/ the local PD later in Sept. They will be taught alongside with the SO class.

SO I guess I'll be 37 when I start.

[Hedshot]

here in town the age limit for new hires is 40