Contemplating a career change

[Donnel]

Lots of changes have been happening in my life as of late. Quite a few things have been put into focus that weren't before and some things made less important to me then they had been.

I'm thinking about a career focus change. Currently I'm employed as a network admin, making a decent wage and enjoying my work (at times). I have always enjoyed computers, but it's not quite feeling like enough to devote my entire career to JUST computers.

Lately I've been thinking about getting a degree in law enforcment (I'm currently sheep-skinless) and joining the police force, possibly in a "computer crimes" capacity as my focus for the future (maybe even move on to the FBI at some point?).

Are there any other law enforcment types around here that could fill me in on what I should expect starting out?

I know I need to lose a lot of weight and that is on my list along with the degree. Is there any other steps I should take? Is "police academy" something I should look at before getting the degree or after? Is a degree necessary? I didn't think it was, but I imagine it can help in getting a better job in law enforcment, and I'm sure it's required if I wanted to go so far as the FBI. Note that I intend to get the degree ASAP, but the question I had was should I get that FIRST or after the fact.

Thanks for the replies.

[Captain Insano]

Do you have a degree? You should look into the CIA. They have tons of computer/crime related jobs.

Not to mention the badge will get you a lot more puss then the local sheriff department.

[Martrae]

FBI, CIA, large city departments etc require a degree. Most local departments will take academy trained people.

Dependent on the department you can expect to work nights/part-time for at least the first year or so. Pay won't be great but you will get all the girls you want and more. A friend of mine was so hung up on a cop in her area she got a scanner, memorized their patrol areas and when she figured out where he was each night she'd manage to run into him there...can we say stalker?

Anyway, if you want computer crimes that's pretty limited to large departments and the federal level. Both of those will require you to get your degree.

[Captain Insano]

If you can't get a degree you could become a bounty hunter like DOG.

[Griever]

Fuck Dog.. go Boba Fett.

Jet pack FTW.

[Donnel]

Degree is definatly the plan. What I was wondering is, can is it expected to get on a force for "real world" experience prior to the degree, or is the degree expected first.

Helps me decide which aspect of this change to potentially work on first.

[Martrae]

You can get on your local departments without a degree if you go thru an academy (and they have any openings).

I'd get the degree first. If you get on a department they'll give you all the shit jobs and fuck with your schedule so getting to classes would be difficult.

[Captain Insano]

Fuck Dog.. go Boba Fett.

Jet pack FTW.

Yah if I ever go to college I'm going to major in jet pack. Thats the way real bounty hunters roll 4 tru

[Minrott]

Donnel, ask your local PD or SD if they have a reserve force or are looking for reserve officers. Most dept's have them, and it's a nice way to get the experience you're looking for while still at your old job, while your in school, or whatever.

Generally they use their reserves as their hiring 'pool' when they do look to hire full time as well.

[Jay]

How old are you? I ask because usually a big change despite comfortable stability would suggest you are approaching middle age. What's really pushing you to change?

Also, I have quite a few friends back home in Chicago trying to become police officers. As far as I know the requirements are 60 credit hours of college (doable at a cc and preferably in criminal justice but not required) and then you have to pass a test and that's what will get you into the academy. A lot of people go that direction from some kind of security position or lower law enforcement. If anything, I would seek some kind of network admin position from the police first then while you are working there start taking action towards being sworn in as an officer.

[Spazz]

What on earth would make you wanna be a cop ?

[Griever]

Not everyone hates cops. Only the ones that get harrassed because they look like they just smoked weed or robbed a Dollar Tree.

[Jay]

Decent benefits and perks and it's a position that commands respect and allows you to look in the mirror everyday and agree that you are making a difference and protecting people. Lots of honor behind being a legit cop.

[Naethyn]

Go watch training day.

[Donnel]

How old are you? I ask because usually a big change despite comfortable stability would suggest you are approaching middle age. What's really pushing you to change?

Also, I have quite a few friends back home in Chicago trying to become police officers. As far as I know the requirements are 60 credit hours of college (doable at a cc and preferably in criminal justice but not required) and then you have to pass a test and that's what will get you into the academy. A lot of people go that direction from some kind of security position or lower law enforcement. If anything, I would seek some kind of network admin position from the police first then while you are working there start taking action towards being sworn in as an officer.

25. Among other things, I'm recently divorced, I dropped out of college originally to get married. I'm working at a job that I enjoy, but doesn't have a real future. I want to get a degree, but don't know what in, and criminal justice and computers are two big interests of mine. I would look good in a uniform if I could lose some weight, and the final reason is I will finally get the chance to pull over all those jack asses that pass me on the highway doing 90.

[Jay]

How old are you? I ask because usually a big change despite comfortable stability would suggest you are approaching middle age. What's really pushing you to change?

Also, I have quite a few friends back home in Chicago trying to become police officers. As far as I know the requirements are 60 credit hours of college (doable at a cc and preferably in criminal justice but not required) and then you have to pass a test and that's what will get you into the academy. A lot of people go that direction from some kind of security position or lower law enforcement. If anything, I would seek some kind of network admin position from the police first then while you are working there start taking action towards being sworn in as an officer.

25. Among other things, I'm recently divorced, I dropped out of college originally to get married. I'm working at a job that I enjoy, but doesn't have a real future. I want to get a degree, but don't know what in, and criminal justice and computers are two big interests of mine. I would look good in a uniform if I could lose some weight, and the final reason is I will finally get the chance to pull over all those jack asses that pass me on the highway doing 90.

So you'd be pulling me over basically =P

Anyways, I'd recommend some CJ courses. They're actually interesting and easy and helps you on the road to policework.

[Guntaag Gorefeast]

Go talk with your local PD.

I emailed the fort worth PD inquireing about when they would be having job openings. The process in FW is take civ service exam, based on your score there and your ability to pass the physical exam they put you into academy with the other recruits. Once you graduate youre a cop.

They suggested to me that i should get a degree in something that really intrests me. They said they can teach me everything i need to know and a more diverse degree opens up more opportunities for myself and my personal development within the PD.

So cliff notes, start running, pushups ect, most PD websites ive been on have a list of their physical requirements that is very detailed. Know that you can handle that, go in and get a study guide for the civ exam. Do well there, interview with the chief of police well, and grats ur a cop lol~

Every town is different though, fort worth only requires i think a handful of college credits, i cant remember but ive got 48ish hours under my belt in general studies and that was way more than enough...it might even be like 12 credits to get into academy. My uncle is a cop in dallas and he had a degree in criminal justice before he actually became a cop. They require i think 60 hours, and in arlington you need a 4 year degree. Sooo just county to county city to city the requirements are hugely varied.


Best bet is to look on your local PD website and go from there. I know alot of places have a type of cadet program where you get to ride along and get some experiance ect, see if the jobs right for you and they do use it as a hireing pool.

Goood luck~

[ybik gnome]

Donnel ~ How many credit hours/what certs do you have? Im trying to go into network admin, and cant for the life of me get just a entry level job with basic A+, Network+ and a CCNA ><

[Narrock]

If you're interested in law enforcement, go on some ride-a-longs with different departments. The job isn't as fun and glamorous as "COPS" makes it out to be. It's very hard work, very stressful, lots of department politics to contend with, and tons of overtime doing paperwork. If I had to do it over again, I would have become a National Park Ranger, or maybe worked for the Highway Patrol. But yes, getting a degree in Criminal Justice or Administration of Justice will help you go further in law enforcement.

[Gaazy]

Im a criminal Justice major, not going into that, but thats my major lol.

FBI, CIA, or anyone like that, will NOT accept anyone without experience in a lesser law enforcement, unless your some god or something. Getting into the FBI anyways will be extremely hard work, and a degree might as well be required. We had some big guy in the FBI come and lecture one of my classes last year and he said the number of resumes they get is just unreal, so you better get the degree, maybe even a masters in CJ before considering them...just my opinion from what ive learned about them.

But, what a lot of people don't realize is that theres are hundreds upon hundreds of government agencies that you can work your way into. Most people that do end up in the FBI started at a lesser branch somewhere and worked their way up. As for the CIA, I would expect at least a Masters in something to be considered with all the apps they must get

Like Mindia was saying earlier about it not being as glamarous as you think, a Law Enforcement Professor I had a couple semesters ago told us that on average 85% of your time every day will be paperwork. Now how much of that is true, i dunno because ive never been a cop, just going by what the prof said

[Narrock]

Im a criminal Justice major, not going into that, but thats my major lol.

FBI, CIA, or anyone like that, will NOT accept anyone without experience in a lesser law enforcement, unless your some god or something. Getting into the FBI anyways will be extremely hard work, and a degree might as well be required. We had some big guy in the FBI come and lecture one of my classes last year and he said the number of resumes they get is just unreal, so you better get the degree, maybe even a masters in CJ before considering them...just my opinion from what ive learned about them.

But, what a lot of people don't realize is that theres are hundreds upon hundreds of government agencies that you can work your way into. Most people that do end up in the FBI started at a lesser branch somewhere and worked their way up. As for the CIA, I would expect at least a Masters in something to be considered with all the apps they must get

Like Mindia was saying earlier about it not being as glamarous as you think, a Law Enforcement Professor I had a couple semesters ago told us that on average 85% of your time every day will be paperwork. Now how much of that is true, i dunno because ive never been a cop, just going by what the prof said

I was a commissioned deputy sheriff for over 3 years. I had to start off working in the jail. That job majorly sucked. After 2 years of working in the jail I finally had an opportunity to get out on patrol. It was TONS of paperwork. In addition to that, you never got a break inbetween calls for service. You had to bring your lunch with you in the car and eat when you had a chance. Well, Reno is a 24/7 gambling, boozing, partying city, so there was always a lot going on. Tons of domestic disbute calls too. It was just too busy for me. You're supposed to like what you do for a living... if not LOVE it, but at least like it. I hated it for the most part.

Now, if you can handle all that, then working for a city or county government will set you up for a very nice retirement and excellent benefits.

[10sun]

According to my friend who is highly unsatisfied with his life right now(local cop).

The best route to getting into the FBI / CIA is to become a State Highway Patrolman, spend a few years with them and then move on.

His story is that he was a fullride scholarship student to Wofford College. Studied Criminal Justice, finished with honors or some shit. Went to take the SHP exam. Found out he was too big because he had just finished playing football (6'5" 275ish, around 15% body fat). Then he went to take it again after dropping 50 some pounds. He didn't know he was allowed to wear his contacts. Can't take the exam so many times in a year, so he was screwed and wanted to get on with his life... so he went to night classes at a local community college for being a cop. Life sucks for him.

But yeah, don't forget about the State Highway Patrol.

-Adam

[Lyion]

According to my friend who is highly unsatisfied with his life right now(local cop).

The best route to getting into the FBI / CIA is to become a State Highway Patrolman, spend a few years with them and then move on.

Ex military is always preferred over donut eaters for any fed law enforcement job.

Don, sounds like you need a plan, my friend. If you want mine, it'd be go into the military reserves as a Shore Patrol/MP/Air Force gate dog and get the training <and weight loss> that route. Then it'll be much easier getting into a local PD.

[Diekan]

Ok, if you want to get into computer forensics - or any other type of forensics - do not get a criminal justice degree. It will do you nothing for you.

If you want to get into computer crimes, you need a BS in Computer Science.

The only good a criminal justice degree will do for you in law enforcement is get you eventually promoted from a beat cop to a detective.

Seriously - a degree in law enforcement is not going to open the door to computer forensics jobs.

Get your BS in CS, make sure your personal credit history is GOOD - like better than 650. Hopefully, you don't have any felonies - if you do, you can forget it. Bad credit will also hurt you, but may not keep you from getting the job.

One more thing - if you decide to go this route - and you get passed the first interview - they are going to give you a lie detector test. They WILL ask you if you've ever smoked weed, or used any other substances. Do not lie. They know that pretty much everyone has, at one point in time, tried weed. They're not looking to eliminate you for trying it - they're testing you to see if you're going to lie about it.

I don't mean to be offensive to anyone here with a criminal justice degree - but all in all it is a pretty useless degree. It's the first choice of major for most ROTC cadets because it's easy to get. It's about as useful as psychology degree.

Take if from someone who knows about forensics. Get a degree in the field you want to work the forensics angle from. If you want to work with DNA, you'll need a BS in biology or chemisty. If you want to work in "general" forensics - you'll need a BS in science, period. Again, as I stated before - computer forensics will 9 times out of 10 require a BS in Computer Science - not - a criminal justice degree.

What's very cool about that particular field is that you aren't limited to working with government run labs. There are a lot of private companies that consult for law enforcement as well as working with corporate clients. The pay is much much better...

[Captain Insano]

Not everyone hates cops. Only the ones that get harrassed because they look like they just smoked weed or robbed a Dollar Tree.

BAWAHAHAHAH! You had me at "...robbed a Dollar Tree"