How can I become an LEO.

ccasey612

Ever since I was a child I have always wanted to be a LEO. Till this day I fell like it is an itch that needs to be scratched. My only problem is that I have a family and a full time job that pays lots of money and I am not sure LEO's make enought to support my family so I need to keep my job. Is there any other jobs in the LEO field that would not require me to be full time? Is there a such thing as a part time cop? How can I scratch this itch and still keep my JOB? In case age is a thing with some LEO jobs I am 21 years old.

If you will blame gun makers for every shooting then blame car maker for every car accident.

offeror

Some departments will let you do "ride-alongs" so you might be able to get out there and find out a bit more about it. My guess is that a good cop salary in a smaller community is $30,000 or less. Some departments do have "reserves," so it's worth a phone call to ask. The only way to become a cop is to get in shape, pass a series of physical and psychological tests, then get picked from the cream of the (young and fit) crop. After than, you're liable to start out in some departments as a jailer for months or years before you ever get a beat. You may also have to work nights or whatever they select for you. The other thing you might try to scratch your itch is look into becoming a dispatcher. If you know your city REALLY well, communicate well verbally, have a good memory for details, and can handle high stress, and use a computer, you might make a good dispatcher. I've looked into being an LEO, and once took the tests and passed the physical for a sheriff's department, but got cut, probably for my age. By the way, they don't want John Waynes, usually, they want people with more the personality of an EMT -- people with a deep interest in helping other people.

- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

BT99

Don't know what state you're in, but in Pennsylvania, after you
apply and are accepted to the state police, they pay you approximately 38,000. a year while you are going through the academy. This is
about a 5 month training. After graduation, you go to approx 51,000
for the first year. Not sure of the exact figures as I retired 12
years ago. And the retirement isn't bad. After 25 years full retirement at 75 percent and you take blue cross/blue shield, eye care
plus dental with you. And retirements are not taxable in Pa.

pikeal1

ccasey...if your interested in the whole process, I have a video and a book that details the process for you and gives you some pointers as to the interview process and other aspects of getting hired. I bought it when i wanted to satisfy my itch, but am currently in the process of getting hired for INS as an inspector. If your interested i'll send it to you as i dont have a need for it anymore

pikeal01@bellsouth.net

Alex

RugerNiner

Be Born between 7/23 and 8/22.

Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!

Nighthawk

Its a great profession its good to help people,but there is alot of bad as well,and the pay isnt no reason to d it I have been an active Patrolman for 8yrs.And had to do alot of stuff I didnt want to as any Officer can tell you. But the good out ways the bad or none of us would be doing it.And if you dont like it you dont need to be doing it.Our DEPT. will let academy students ride along with us,or occasionaly a Police science student. But I encourage your interest. Apply for a Dept of your choice and make them get tired of seeing your face if not hired. Most Depts send you to academy at their expense.And you start out riding with a Senior Officer.

Best Wishes

Rugster

96harley

Casey, Like has been mentioned already, some depts have reserve units.
We do and we use them on special ocassions such as parades, festivals,
and the 4th of July. Ours is a city jurisdiction but don't fail to check with your county sheriff's dept. as they have reserves as well.

If you have a law enforcement academy near by you can go to their library and get a nationwide listing of depts. hiring and what's required. you're young so don't get discouraged. I was a reserve town marshal and a reserve sheriff's deputy for several years before getting hired at age 34. I now have 17 1/2 years on as a full time officer and this goes toward retirement. Love it as much as the day I started. The politics stinks, but that's everywhere. Let me know if you need anything else and I'll try to help.

Wild Bill

I'll second the Reserve Officer suggestion. Many police and sheriff departments utilize reserves, some are volunteer positions and others are paid positions.

"Gun control is not about guns; it's about control." "If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson."

Dyer_Maker

Sometimes pays not everthing , You have to happy with your choices. I also have that itch. I've tested for some local depts. and have a very good chance to be hired this fall by one of them. I'm 31 years old and wish I would have started testing when I was 21. I to had and have a good job but I can't hardly stand to go to work anymore. The money helped to keep me there but its just not worth it anymore. I would rather work for less and be happy than to be miserable and make more. And besides what are you going to do with that money? Buy more guns? lol

Nighthawk

Speaking of Police Depts or Sheriffs Offices having reserves.One smaller Dept in my area had them for about three years.They just helped at concerts or celebrations as mentioned above.They give the recruits the basics as far as training and each reserve had to supply their own gun and qualify with it just as we do. They had to buy their duty belts and all equipment such as cuffs,Batons or I should sat Asp type batons.Which a descent duty belt with all gear excluding the firearm cost about $650.00-$700.00 bucks,plus your firearm and even had to buy your own uniforms.These men and women were strictly volunteers.And sure took a big load off of us.But 2yrs ago the Police Chief Or Mayor,it was never made clear who?Discontinued the program for reliability purposes. Ha!!

Rugster