Transition from Corrections to Patrol

[Mal]

Exactly how difficult is it to transition from Corrections to Patrol, assuming you have a clean record and good references? I'm trying to get into law enforcement, but around here, competition is fairly fierce for entry-level candidates. While I have the drive, qualifications and ambition for a job in law enforcement...I don't have the time or money to wait until a January or Summer 2010 academy.

However, I'm getting numerous call-backs from many Corrections institutions. If I were to take a job in corrections, how difficult would it be to transfer out to a Police Department? Is there a hiring stigma against Corrections officers?

[ifineed2]

If you're thinking federal enforcement you might as well expect it to take 12-18 months. If you're talking BOP CO, I've known a few who have made the jump from CO to FLEO, most were picked up by FAMS or CBP, but the opportunity is there. Local PD is different, depends on the needs of the department. When my local PD is hiring they put people in the academy in 3-5 months...and that's relatively quick.

[Mal]

Unfortunately so many departments around here are so swamped with candidates that the earliest exam date I've gotten from a callback from a Police Department has been -September-. The Corrections hiring process seems to be significantly faster, and I wanted to know if becoming a corrections officer would help my career by giving me experience and a bigger LE reference on my resume, or hurt it if it is more difficult to transfer from Corrections to Patrol than it is just to get a job in Patrol. If Corrections would hurt my chances, I might as well just get a temp job and wait on the POs, if it doesn't, I can just take the Corrections job offers.

[ifineed2]

It's definitely not going to hurt you, you'll gain experience in booking, processing etc. But if you're only taking it for 6months...I'd wait.

[SHU]

You can learn a great deal about criminal behavior in corrections. Whether or not it will help you get a job is something altogether different. If you do become a cop later on your time spent in prison will help you a great deal on the street.