advice needed from ENGLAND

[Lucie_Nguyen]

hey there, this may seem like an odd question but i guess i need any kind of guidance before i really take the big step which will determine my whole future. Im currently a 19 year old british citizen and im working for a police station in england, however my goal & dream has always been to work in a field similar to criminal investigation in america. your first reaction may be that i need to be a US citizen to work in that field in the US.. but i was wondering what are my possiblities over there... in september i am enlisted to become a probationary officer for two years then after my two years i will become a constable. After my first 12 months of being a probationary officer my sergeant suggested that i sign up to a "High Potential Development Scheme" this will allow me to become a sergeant or a lieutenant if i pass all the exams and prove my ability also in this scheme they will fund me to go to school and take my degree. However if i do enlist in september i would be in a full time intense training course meaning i cannot do my degree (which i was planning to do a degree in criminal justice then once i graduate to look for experience).

my questions are....

::If i want to get into law enforcement in america (preferably VA) what sort of qualities/qualifications/experience would they look for in me?

:: I may do a part time evening class so my education doesnt stop there, which subjects would be more favourable since i heard there are so many CJ graduates already out there.

:: However if i cant continue to do a degree because of being training as a probationary officer.. which would benefit me more, a degree or experience? :confused:

:: is there anything in america where i can get some sort of experience or my foot through the door. ie. interships, work placements or anything (legal :rolleyes: ) that would help me to achieve this, keeping in mind that i have family over in virginia and DC offering me a place to stay if needed.

any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ps.. i apologise if ive talked too much but im pretty lost and i have to make a decision by september.

THANK YOU! lucie

[Zoysya]

I honestly don't know the answer to all of those questions. I guess my first move would be to check out some websites such as http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and try to get in contact with someone who knows and can tell you for sure. It may take a lot of emailing, but somewhere along the way you will find out from a reliable source. Good luck!

[Lucie_Nguyen]

thanx for the adivce, i guess i just dont know where to start.. i have been doing some online research and i feel like i need to actually start talking to people :)

[co911]

I'd be interested to know which UK police dept will make you a "lieutenant" Lucie? I'm not aware of any that even have the rank.

You have a long long way to go, as, if I read correctly, you are not even a probationary officer yet. What happees if you don't like being a cop? What if you fail probation? What if you don't get accepted to the HPDS? I don't mean to sound totally negative as it's cool that you have plans but God and fate have a way of messing with those, so take a deep breath.

You really can only take each phase of your career one day at a time and try to have fun doing it. Having said that, personally, I'd forget the degree and go into the academy in Sept. You can always do a degree part time once you finish your probation. If CJ is not your scene and you feel like testing your finances and mind, study law.

Concerning working in the US, you have bigger issues to face than
qualifications and experience such as not having a green card or US citizenship. Without one of these you can't work as a peace officer here, and that includes internships and work placements. You could try to go to college here but this is very expensive and in most cases you would be expected to return to the UK at the completion of your studies. If you do a search you will find that the citizenship question has been asked and answered many many times.

[BrickCop]

co hit the nail on the head.

If you are sincere about being a police officer in the US the first step is dealing with the green card/citizenship issue. Once that is taken care of it will be a lot easier and productive to network from within the US city/state you wish to work for.

On a lighter note, I wonder how a traffic stop would sound with you...

" 'ello Governah, why were you bloody speeding in the roundabout"?:D

[Cockney Corner]

Lucie

You've said "any advice would be greatly appreciated"

Mine would be, pack it in mate, you're obviously not a British copper (though I note you seem to waiver between suggesting you're in the Job already, as where you say "After my first 12 months of being a probationary officer my sergeant suggested ..." or just thinking about it).

Absolutely nothing you've said rings true. No PC says "im working for a police station", You're attached to them or work at them. Nor, even ignoring the questionable grammar, have I heard anyone say "i am enlisted to become a probationary officer" . You join the Police. It's not the Army.

Your standard of English is such that I have considerable doubts that any Sgt would suggest "that i sign up to a "High Potential Development Scheme""

And anyone, with even the slightest knowledge of UK policing, knows we don't have lieutenants.

But, hey, good luck with the whole policing in the US thing.