Rothrandir:
First and foremost: Attitude is everything!
You are at a good age to begin looking into law enforcement. I too, suggest some ride alongs with your local PD. Days and nights. Bring a small notebook and a couple of pens. Take note of the different styles the officers use between both shifts. Also consider State Police and Sheriffs Dept.
You may want to visit (call first) your local Attorney Generals' office, and perhaps go to your local courthouses, and sit in on a couple of trials.
Your local college or adult education program may offer a preparing for a career in law enforcement class.
If you ride along, be respectfull, listen more than talk. Keep your opinions to yourself. (When you are in charge, your opinions become orders).
There are many area's in local, state, and federal law enforcement. Usually, some college credits in a degree program are required. More likely, a 2yr (local) or 4yr (federal) degree is desirable.
Your appearance is very important. This means being fit. It also means having a professional looking haircut, no earrings (for a male), manicured fingernails, being clean, and not having excessive odors (cologne, smoke, smells).
Mannerisms. How you act, sit, stand, walk, look, and listen are just as important as how you speak. (good interviewers will look for these things).
Politics. My best advice is to confidentaly (one on one) ask the officers you ride with. There are some Law Enforcement forums. Some people give good sound advice; others have opinions.
For Police Work; you will take written exams, Psysical Agility tests, medical exams, drug screening, and psycological profiles.
Academy. The academy provides you with the basic knowledge and tools to get you safely started in your career. Some academies are live in (m-f), others are 40 -50-plus hours a week. (you are there to learn. You are also being judged, and eveyone is watching you. You are establishing a reputation that will be with you throughout you career.
A Captain told me "we are in the people business". Your job is to deal with peoples' problems. What seems trivial to you is very important to tham (that's why you are there).
Once you are a LEO, your life will change. A strong support structure, (other officer's, a good family, friends, and faith) will help you overcome stress in the job.
If you do get into LE. please, treat people the way you would want your family treated. Treat people with respect, unless, or until, you have reason to treat differently. Learn (positive and negative) from everyone you meet. The academy, on the job training, schools, and seminars are tools. Put them in your toolbox. Some tools you use alot, others not at all.
Some people decide that law enforcemnt isn't for them. They have the courage and wisdom to realize it, and move on to another career.
One big advantage for you, is that you can show all the LEO's the cool flashlights we have.
Lastly, (Whew!) regardless of whereever you go in life or career, don't forget where you came from! As you get older, and more experienced in life, you will meet people with the same passion and desires that you have now.
Good luck with all that you do. May you excell in your conquests. Keep the fire in your eyes. Feel free to PM me you wish. (I hope I can figure it out, if not post for me).
Best Regards, Ken.
First and foremost: Attitude is everything!
You are at a good age to begin looking into law enforcement. I too, suggest some ride alongs with your local PD. Days and nights. Bring a small notebook and a couple of pens. Take note of the different styles the officers use between both shifts. Also consider State Police and Sheriffs Dept.
You may want to visit (call first) your local Attorney Generals' office, and perhaps go to your local courthouses, and sit in on a couple of trials.
Your local college or adult education program may offer a preparing for a career in law enforcement class.
If you ride along, be respectfull, listen more than talk. Keep your opinions to yourself. (When you are in charge, your opinions become orders).
There are many area's in local, state, and federal law enforcement. Usually, some college credits in a degree program are required. More likely, a 2yr (local) or 4yr (federal) degree is desirable.
Your appearance is very important. This means being fit. It also means having a professional looking haircut, no earrings (for a male), manicured fingernails, being clean, and not having excessive odors (cologne, smoke, smells).
Mannerisms. How you act, sit, stand, walk, look, and listen are just as important as how you speak. (good interviewers will look for these things).
Politics. My best advice is to confidentaly (one on one) ask the officers you ride with. There are some Law Enforcement forums. Some people give good sound advice; others have opinions.
For Police Work; you will take written exams, Psysical Agility tests, medical exams, drug screening, and psycological profiles.
Academy. The academy provides you with the basic knowledge and tools to get you safely started in your career. Some academies are live in (m-f), others are 40 -50-plus hours a week. (you are there to learn. You are also being judged, and eveyone is watching you. You are establishing a reputation that will be with you throughout you career.
A Captain told me "we are in the people business". Your job is to deal with peoples' problems. What seems trivial to you is very important to tham (that's why you are there).
Once you are a LEO, your life will change. A strong support structure, (other officer's, a good family, friends, and faith) will help you overcome stress in the job.
If you do get into LE. please, treat people the way you would want your family treated. Treat people with respect, unless, or until, you have reason to treat differently. Learn (positive and negative) from everyone you meet. The academy, on the job training, schools, and seminars are tools. Put them in your toolbox. Some tools you use alot, others not at all.
Some people decide that law enforcemnt isn't for them. They have the courage and wisdom to realize it, and move on to another career.
One big advantage for you, is that you can show all the LEO's the cool flashlights we have.
Lastly, (Whew!) regardless of whereever you go in life or career, don't forget where you came from! As you get older, and more experienced in life, you will meet people with the same passion and desires that you have now.
Good luck with all that you do. May you excell in your conquests. Keep the fire in your eyes. Feel free to PM me you wish. (I hope I can figure it out, if not post for me).
Best Regards, Ken.
