When should I apply? (Southern California).

[quovadis]

12 January 2009; 1605 hours.

[Copy/paste from the Introduction sub-forum]

08 January 2009; 1547 hours.

Hello everybody,

My name is Kevin and I look forward to learning from everybody here. Currently, I am a first year graduate student majoring in National Security Studies. I plan to graduate in the spring of 2010. Additionally, I am a Vietnamese American, and I look forward to putting in an application with a department that is serving a significant Vietnamese population. I believe my skills would be more useful there. I am also currently a Community Service Officer with the University Police Department; a job that has inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Ever since finding this forum and the valuable information that it provides, I remain ignorant of the application process and how to go about it. Should I call a department and inquire whether they have an opening? And how long does the process takes before I enter the academy? One year prior to my graduation? Six months prior?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[avalon42]

Welcome. Based on your graduate program of choice, I'll venture to guess you're out at CSU SB, correct?

I can tell you a whole list of agencies that you might want to check for openings. I would apply at least 6 months before your graduation date. Process could take as little as 1 month (no joke, I've been told it's been done before) to 1 year. Check their website for info.

My recommendations:
San Diego Police
Westminster Police
Garden Grove Police
Santa Ana Police *I wouldn't work here, but I heard they were paying pretty well and LOVE to hire bi-lingual officers.

Good luck Anh.

[UScanuck]

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with Santa Ana?

[AWarr]

Id apply for Santa Ana PD right now if they were hiring non-bilingual officers!

I also like the fact that they have lots of ties with UC Irvine (my old school), which allows researchers to figure out where crime is occurring and how to stop it!

[SHU]

Id apply for Santa Ana PD right now if they were hiring non-bilingual officers!

I also like the fact that they have lots of ties with UC Irvine (my old school), which allows researchers to figure out where crime is occurring and how to stop it!

Researches figure out something about crime and how to stop it? :rolleyes:;)

[avalon42]

I'm not knocking Little LAPD, it's just not my preference to work there. One of my former instructors is a Commander there, so there are good things.

I forgot to add Anaheim PD to the list. Did a ridealong there and had a blast. Good amount of Vietnamese living in the city, few scatter Vietnamese restaurants all around town.

[UScanuck]

Santa Ana NEEDS bilingual Vietnamese officers. Definitely apply there. They are a great department and pay very well.