Any ATOT Police Officers?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
GobBluth

GobBluth

Senior member
Sep 18, 2012
703
45
91
I'm seriously considering a second career in law enforcement. Any one know know if police departments will generally waive a criminal justice degree requirement in lieu of military service/veteran's status?

Are there any age restrictions for recruits? Any advice is welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Gob
 
rudder

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
GobBluth said:
Are there any age restrictions for recruits? Any advice is welcome.
Click to expand...

Basically you have to have no issue tasering some helpless drunk guy until his heart stops. If you can handle that you will make a fine officer. Oh and be willing to kick anyone's butt who videotapes it.
 
GobBluth

GobBluth

Senior member
Sep 18, 2012
703
45
91
rudder said:
Basically you have to have no issue tasering some helpless drunk guy until his heart stops. If you can handle that you will make a fine officer. Oh and be willing to kick anyone's butt who videotapes it.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a normal Saturday night for the group of guys I run with. :D
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
Do you have major issues with power and control? Be a cop.


If not then a firefighter is likely a better role for you.
 
U

unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
3,346
1
0
My perception is that each department sets their own requirements.

For example, here are some requirements from my local PD.

Requirements
You must have at least one of the following three qualifications:

1) At least 48 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university with at minimum of a 2.0 grade point average; OR
2) A minimum of two years active duty in the United States armed forces and received an honorable discharge; OR
3) At least five years of full-time employment as a peace officer licensed by TCLEOSE or an equivalent licensing entity in another state

You can find the remaining requirements here.

Remember though, meeting the requirements gets you considered. Being considered and being selected are two different things.

Best of luck,
Uno
 
J

jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
1
81
I'm not, but have friends that are. Yes, they do. It depends on their current hiring needs. My understanding the first step is the police academy. Give the city/county/state HR people a call.
 
dank69

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
37,621
33,350
136
tumblr_m6wqp25zKJ1r5qiggo1_500.jpg
 
Sonikku

Sonikku

Lifer
Jun 23, 2005
15,916
4,959
136
COP REQUIREMENTS

-must like donuts
-must enjoy pepper spraying kids in the face
-must have superiority complex
-must have the right priorities (If faced with either having the time to bust a perp for weed or for rape, bust the pot head)
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,162
126
My wife was a police office for 16 years. The majority of large cities don't require any college degree- you have to pass a civil service test and then get picked during a "lottery" of the top scorers. Military and education do score you points during the process however.

Salary can vary depending on your area. We were lucky enough to be in an area where police are paid extremely well. Some areas don't make very much at all. Check the pay scale before starting.

Personality-wise, if you're not a naturally observant and confrontational person, this may not be the job for you. Those two factors are key to the job. Backing down or missing a detail can be very dangerous.

Over all, it's not a career I'd recommend if you're planning on a family. It tends to make you a jaded person because all you deal with are problems. Over the years you end up not being to turn off the suspicion and it becomes difficult to maintain a relationship (infidelity and divorce is incredibly high among officers).

Most departments have a "ride-along" program where you can schedule to ride with officers for a shift to see what they do. I'd suggest trying that to see if the job is for you. My wife was seriously injured and forced to retire from the force, so it has significant risks, but she says she would do it again in a heartbeat.
 
Svnla

Svnla

Lifer
Nov 10, 2003
17,986
1,388
126
I am not a cop but know a few. Plano TX PD will take you if you are a colllege grad (of any major), between 21 and 45, and pass all the tests (background, physical, and mental). The pay is not bad, almost $60K to start as a rookie.

More information = http://www.plano.gov/DocumentCenter/View/120



Dallas, TX PD requirement (the pay is not as good as Plano but no need for college degree) = http://www.dallaspolice.net/recruiting/recruiting.html
  1. Be a U. S. citizen.
  2. Be 19 ½ years of age (60 hours from an accredited college - minimum 2.0 GPA) or Be 21 - 44 years of age (45 hours from an accredited college - minimum 2.0 GPA)
  3. Have a valid driver license.
  4. Must not have committed any felony or Class A Misdemeanor.
  5. Have no Class B Misdemeanor convictions within the last 10 years.
  6. College credit requirement will be waived if you have three (3) years of active military service and an honorable discharge, as stipulated on your DD-214.
  7. Physical Fitness
  8. No worse than 20/100 vision rating in either eye, correctable to 20/20.
  9. No pending traffic citations or court cases.
  10. Must not have been convicted of three (3) or more hazardous traffic violations in the last twenty-four (24) months. (Does not include “Deferred Adjudication” or “Driver’s Safety Course.”)

OP, the best way for you to do is contact the PD of the location you want to work at and ask them what are the requirements then go from there. Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
106
GobBluth said:
I'm seriously considering a second career in law enforcement. Any one know know if police departments will generally waive a criminal justice degree requirement in lieu of military service/veteran's status?

Are there any age restrictions for recruits? Any advice is welcome.
Click to expand...

Can you count to donut?

If so, you are good to go.

(my brother is a cop)
 
T

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,954
577
126
Some agencies will train OJT but a lot of them do not, anymore. Some junior colleges offer nine month CJ diplomas.
 
C

Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
0
76
GobBluth said:
I'm seriously considering a second career in law enforcement. Any one know know if police departments will generally waive a criminal justice degree requirement in lieu of military service/veteran's status?

Are there any age restrictions for recruits? Any advice is welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Gob
Click to expand...

LAPD will take ANY two year degree...should be pretty easy to get if you don't one...

http://www.joinlapd.com/qualifications.html
 
FallenHero

FallenHero

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2006
5,659
0
0
I am one. Oh ATOT is not the place to ask these questions, most people here are pretty ignorant when it comes to police work and choose to remain so. Any specific questions just PM me, I'll be happy to fill you in on details.
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
FallenHero said:
I am one. Oh ATOT is not the place to ask these questions, most people here are pretty ignorant when it comes to police work and choose to remain so. Any specific questions just PM me, I'll be happy to fill you in on details.
Click to expand...



What makes you say that?
 
V

Vaux

Senior member
May 24, 2013
593
6
81
FallenHero said:
I am one. Oh ATOT is not the place to ask these questions, most people here are pretty ignorant when it comes to police work and choose to remain so. Any specific questions just PM me, I'll be happy to fill you in on details.
Click to expand...

I would agree with this as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom