Flagler County SO

[a_diaz2004]

Hey everyone, my name's Angel and I'm 22yrs old. I'm from Nyc and I'm moving down to Palm Coast, FL in about afew months. I've no college degree(which is what held me back from joining the nypd, passed the written though) but I was told by a deputy that for that county all I'd need is the certification. I'm planning on attending DBCC or St. Johns River for that cert. I was planning on attending school for a criminal justice degree once i'm in. Then going for my BA and whatever comes next. I've got a friend in the FDLE and was told that's a good place to work.

My question's are:
1- How long after I get into the SO would I be able to attend school? Is it as easy as it seems to just enroll? Is it something I'd have to request and wait for the "o.k."?

2- I've been told by afew officers that you get treated differently if you're trying to get into a SO with a degree than without, in terms of better treatment. But when I spoke to that one deputy, he emphasized that "with or without a degree, everyone's treated the same" *well, in terms of applicants and rookies*

Any comments or ideas would be greatly appreciated and considerred. If anyone's got anything to say about that SO, it would be really helpful. Thanks in advance.

[Bart]

get your degree first. that makes you more marketable. lately ive seen my department hire guys with both military and BA degrees. thats the cream of the crop but were seeing more and more guys with those qualifications. even guys who dont have any military but have college will get hired first. the key is to bring as many things to the table as possible. just a high school diploma aint gonna cut it these days.

[LPD208]

Flagler County SO is a great agency, I am friends with many of the deputies and civilians in that agency.... This county is doing nothing but growing along with the City of Palm Coast..

As far as getting hired call Ken McClinton, he is the Human Resources guy.. We you do get hired, if you get hired, you are not going to want to attend college in your first year of service.. Your brain will be so swollen with information based on your job you're not going to want to think of anything else...

This agency has a great FTO program with many great FTO'S... Good luck in your job hunt..

Goto St. John's better program..

LPD208

[Delta_V]

Here's my take on it...

There are tons of people graduating from academies in Florida. Because they are run by the community college system, pretty much anyone with a semi-clean background and a high school diploma can get in. If you want to get hired by the most desirable agencies, you're going to need to bring a little more to the table than just a high school diploma and certification. If you're dead-set on going to the academy without your degree, you need to bust your ***. Make sure that you impress the instructors and are a squared away recruit. Agencies will get your academy record, and they want to see that you outperformed others in the class. If you barely skated by, you're probably not going to get picked up by the best agencies.

I would advise you to finish your degree--even if it's just an associate's--before you start the academy. I know lots of people who said they would get their degree once they started working, only never to have the time. You'll be working odd hours, and depending on the schedule of your agency, you might not have the same days off each week. Those things don't help you scheduling classes.

Also keep in mind that a lot of the sheriff's offices in Florida are very political. I know that up here if you don't have a 'hook,' you're going to have a long road ahead of you getting hired by the sheriff's office.

[ftlaudcop]

as far as sheriff's office's: needing a hook....

those that operate a county jail are always hiring,

as far as getting into road patrol direct ya better

be very impressive, as ya have deputy's in the county

jail that paid their dues, and can run circles around most

that never worked in a county jail.

good luck on what ever yr decision leads ya.

[a_diaz2004]

Thanks for all the feedback guys(all of it was really good info) but my situation's taken a little turn for the worst. Due to alot of b.s. and "drama" my move to FL's going to be alot sooner. When I say "sooner" I mean within the next few days. So getting that degree's pretty much out the window right now. When I attended the academy my intentions were always to do my best and be one of the top graduates(if not top). It might be alittle stupid to overestimate myself but that's how much I want it.

I mentioned this to afew people and they've thrown " hey, what about online classes?" my way. I've always been a little "iffy" about that online college stuff. Do agencies look at it seriously? Is it worth the time and money?

b.t.w.- this might be the wrong thread to post this on but I want to start getting ready for the academy physically. I work out on a regular basis but I haven't started running yet. Can anyone throw a workout routine my way that'd help me be in top shape for the physical demands of the academy? Oh, and any supplements I should be taking?

[Airforcop]

I take online classes. It's the only way for a lot of us in the military to be able to attend college. As long as the college is regionally accredited, I wouldn't see a problem. I just finished my Associates in Criminal Justive between a mixture of military credits, online classes, traditional classes, and a bunch of CLEP/DANTES. I'm yet to find a school that won't transfer my online credits. The only drawback to online, is it is real expensive. You are probably looking at about $1000 per class on average. Thankfully the military pays the majority of that for me. I don't think a department would look down on you for getting a degree through an accredited college. Fact is, more and more part time students who work full time are going to the online schooling form. Because of the shorter classes, you are able to take a full time load and still be able to work full time.