Beginning stages....

[DL2]

After 4 years working in finance and accounting, I have decided to pursue a career change into law enforcement. The corporate world just isn't for me, and I would prefer to make a contribution to society through public service than through financial service. I enjoyed studying accounting and finance during college, but I don't feel all that rewarded in the real world.

After taking the phase I exam, I have recently been selected by the fbi to proceed to phase II, which is a formal interview. Do any of the forum members have any useful tips for me? My interview will most likely take place during early May. In my mind, I think that being a fbi agent could possibly be one of the most rewarding career paths that I can think of. My biggest concern is the potential to be relocated. I live in upstate, NY and wouldn't mind working in NYC for a few years, but that's about the extent of it.

I have also decided to take the NYS trooper exam next month. How long of a wait can I expect to hear from the NYS troopers if I can perform relatively well on the written exam? Do any of the forum members have any comments about either agency? I have a general idea of what the difference in duties would be and both seem interesting, and I could definately invision myself making a career with either of them. Problem is that I'm more or less burnt out in my current career and would love to move this process along as quickly as possible.

Thanks!

[akman75]

I completely understand where you are coming from. I am in the same field you are and as well am looking to move into the Law Enforcement Career path. I think the best thing that you can do is unfortunately be patient. I dont think the FBI will speed up their hiring practice and I really can't comment on the NY State Troopers. I do know having lived in RI and applying with their state trooper position, that the process for hiring state troopers can take some time just based on the sheer number of people that apply. Its good that you are eager. I think you want to keep that with you. I dont know how it might affect you when either agency finds out you are applying with the other. I am sure they will find out if you are going through both processes at the same time. I would prepare to answer questions about first why you are applying to both and know how to answer the question if they ask which one do you prefer to work for the most. I wish you the best of luck!!!

[Delta_V]

I think you really need to sit down and decide what you want to do in law enforcement. There is a WORLD of difference between the FBI and any uniformed service, such as the NYSP.

With your background in finance and accounting, the Bureau will probably have you working on white-collar and financial crimes. A lot of your day will be spent analyzing numbers, much like you're doing now. As an FBI Agent you're not going to be doing anywhere near the field work that you're going to be doing in a uniformed service. If you want to spend a lot of time in an office, work on complex investigations, and conduct no traditional police work, then the FBI is for you. You also have to understand that the vast majority of people in the LE field don't care much for FBI agents, mainly because of their elitist attitude. Additionally, you WILL move while you're in the Bureau. They make you sign a mobility agreement that basically says they can send you wherever they want you to go. There are absolutely no guarantees with them (or any federal LE agency) about your duty assignments. It all goes back to satisfying the needs of the Bureau. You might get sent to NYC--but you could also get sent to Detroit, LA, DC, Miami, etc....

Now, with the NYSP or another uniformed agency, you're going to have different duties. Your first few years will be spent on uniformed patrol, responding to calls for service and conducting self-initiated activity. After you put in a couple years on the streets, you are usually eligible to move to an investigative position or a special unit. IMO, the variety of assignments is going to be greater within a uniformed police department. If you get tired of patrol, you can go to investigations. If you get tired of investigations, you can go to K-9 or traffic. Get tired of that and move on to administration or community services. With the FBI, you're pretty much going to be doing investigations for your entire career.

Keep in mind that the process with both agencies could be SLOW! Twelve months from the time an application is submitted until a final offer is made is pretty common, especially when you're dealing with the feds.

[co911]

Patrick M98 is completely right. If you are not 100% committed in every way, to becoming a NJSP trooper, forget it. You won't last 2 weeks at that academy.

[DL2]

Thanks Guys. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. The reason I decided to take the NYSP test is due to a lot of the differences that Patrick M98 summed up in his reply. Over the past few months I've started to believe that the NYSP could offer me a slightly better quality of life since I would not have to relocate and there could be a greater variety in my duties. I just need to perform well on the NYSP exam.

Have any of you taken or heard any comments about practice exams from the National Criminal Justice Office Selection Inventory website? The NYSP recruitment site refers to the NCJOSI. I'm not very familiar with these types of tests - I've only taken the FBI test up to this point.

[topgun3131]

As for the NYSP, I took the exam in 2001 and had completed 3/4 of the process until i just recieved a letter today telling my i am not going any further (just the medical). I dont undestand why but i did apply to take the exam next month also and i also live upstate NY (orange county), I would say the FBI is great. But the NYSP is very offering with the competive salary that they offer. The process is lengthy, it took them a year and half to call me then the intial process i started in October and it is now just about March and that sjust for the Medical exam--the last thing i need before getting called to report to the accadomy. O-well best of luck to you.

[pmc]

Top Gun,
What did the letter from Albany say? Are you going to report to Albany for the medical or are you not able to process any further?
I started my processing in October and I am waiting to hear for the medical.
I have heard that there may be an academy class in June (last class on the old list). I am also retaking the exam in March.

[topgun3131]

Well, The disqualified me for I do not know why...they told me that it was confidential and there was no asking why nor a place to appeal it. I also recieved a letter today telling me that I can not take the exam in March due to that I was disqualified, and that they are rfuding my money back. I was there in Oct. as well....but didnt make the run by 14 seconds, they invited me back on Nov. 15th to do it again then I passed but as for now i have to look for something else....when in doubt NYPD. I had started that process while i was juggling NYSP but decided to concentrate on the troopers and backed out of NYPD. But i just applied to take the exam in June again...How did you make out on the poly? Did you react to any of the questions? You should be getting something in the mail.

[pmc]

I assume that I passed the polygraph, no one really told me. I am now nervous to check my mail. I have really been preparing for the academy, and will be very disappointed if I do not get in.
Good luck with the NYPD!

[topgun3131]

I know, a guy i work with has a good friend up there in Albany and he tried to find out the status on this process but he just said thay send out dq letters and medical invites. I know how you feel, i was like the same way....they wont tell you if you passed the poly or not...but then again there is no pass or fail it is reaction or non-reaction (towards a question). The panel of officer in Albany decide everyones faith, so you should be hearing from them soon. Best of luck.