Advice?

[Godside]

I'm currently 18 years old and interested in following after law enforcement when I meet all the standards set by the state of Texas. I'm also looking for advice from any officers who see it fit to provide some insight on the academy, the rookie year, and the overall profession in law enforcement. Post your advice on here, or feel free to e-mail me. God bless.

Godside
Matthew 6:33

[Kelly_431]

Welcome to the forum! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif This is a great place to get advice from LE officers. I think there are a few officers from Texas that hang out here. I'm sure they (and all of us here) will be happy to answer your questions.

[Red5]

Welcome to our little slice of heaven that we like to call Officer.com! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif
Here are some suggestions from a recruit who is at the last stages of the selection process.

1) Any college degree betters your chances of being more attractive to a prospective agency. Try to avoid Criminal Justice degrees as these are a dime a dozen. (i.e. other degree suggestions Information Tech., Public Admin., Poli. Sci., etc.)

2) Apply only to one or two agencies at a time. Anymore than this will likley be a negative on your application, since many agencies do not want to spend time on somone who has applied to 8 different agencies.

3) If you are already not doing so, begin a physical training program, run, lift, tone, condition. This will prepare you for the physical agility tests and the academy training.

4) Avoid getting any police contacts, driving tickets, loud parties, etc. (Just keep your nose clean) http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif

5) Become familiar with the agencies and areas that you apply with, keep up to date on the current events and trends in those said areas.
Whenever in a speaking situation try and keep eye contact with the question asker and don't move around in the chair abnormal amounts, twirle your hair, blow bubbles, etc. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif
I always liked to make sure I greeted every person on the board and shaked their hand ("Hello Sir/Ma'am/Officer/Sgt/Lt./Etc.). Rather then just taking a seat like a bump on a log.
Keeping your humor at your side is a good idea to. By no means start a stand-up career during an oral interview. But many times the question asker(s) will make a "funny" and it serves to break the ice.
Also I always liked when the psychologists would ask, "What type of situation makes you nervous?" I would through a slight "funny" out and say "Well Sir/Ma'am aside from an oral interview board with 9 panel members, knowing that your career is on the line?" That always seemed to go over big. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Be yourself and these will help you in the interview and oral review boards.

6) When you get to the polygraph and personnal history areas. BE HONEST. (from all the personnel officers/deputies this is where most people "kick the bucket") The department is not judging you on your past but your present ablity to be honest.

7) Remain positive, upbeat, and professional and you WILL become a great L.E.O. (law enforcment officer) If you get turned down jsut get back up again and keep on truckin'.

Good luck and keep us up to speed,

Scott

P.S. You might want to see if your prospective agencies have cadet, volunteer, or "explorer" programs. These programs allow you to work with the departments and you get a good idea of what the work is like and get your foot in the door too. Also some departments only require you to be 18 to become a police/911 dispatcher that might not be a bad idea either.

[This message has been edited by Red5 (edited 02-23-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Red5 (edited 02-23-2001).]

[Underdog]

If your local law enforcement agency does not have some sort of volunteer program like explorer scouts, reserve officers, etc., consider becoming involved in some other sort of volunteer activity. Many oral boards look favorably on candidates that are volunteering to help their communities.