Just begining the process

[aburngrad04]

I just had a couple of questions one of ya'll might be able to help me with. I am a recent college graduate and recieved my BA Degree in Criminology in December. I have been filling out preliminary applications for a bunch of departments. I want to end up somewhere out west but do not have the financial ability at this time to travel from Alabama to Colorado or Utah multiple to go through the process. I also do not have the time as I figure it will take longer with me being out of state. I am thinking of working for a local department and possibly doing a lateral transfer in a year or two. Does this seem like a good idea to any of you or would you not advise of this? Also I just recieved notice of a testing date today, which happens to be 3 days away and have not prepared at all obviously. However, I just sent in my application about a week ago, from what I understand that is super fast turnaround as I have not recieved notice from any other departments I applied to long ago. I did very well on the SAT's (1250) and have graduated with a 3.0 GPA in under 4 years from a major University, do you think this is going to be difficult for me at all. I'm not sweating it but just curious. Also how long will the process typically take. The department I'm applying to is a large one and holds about 4 academies a year so any advice as to that. I know I should have started this process before graduation but was not sure what career path I was going to take, thought about possibly going to law school and was concentrating soley on my degree at the time. What do you reccomend, I still have a little support for about another month or two but need to try and land something shortly and do not want to just accept some office job, becuase I've always wanted to be a cop. Thanks for your responses!

[gunslinger]

Aburngrad- I have taken a couple of police officer selection tests in the state of Iowa and I would guess from reading your post and seeing you SAT and GPA that you would be just fine on the written exam. Im not sure if the written tests vary from state to state, but in Iowa its fairly easy. Some basic math (story problems), grammar and spelling, and writing a few sentences based off of a sample police form. In Iowa a person needs to score 70% or higher to pass, but I would guess most successful applicants are probably at about 90%.

[kestrel]

Before I get started, may I suggest the moderators set this thread as a sticky? Then all of us n00bs looking for info wouldn't have to read across 30 threads before deciding to start yet another one... just an idea

Anyway, as mentioned, I am a total n00b when in comes to law enforcement and what it takes to get the job. I have a general idea of where I would like work. I would like to be some type of Police Research Specialist. I have several questions first though:

-How many jobs are related to this field?
-Does this field have any other title?
-Is the field available from small municipalities up to the federal level?
-Does require becoming a patrol officer first?
-Anything I didn't think of?

Right now I have my Associate's in Applied Science: Computer Information Technologies from the Dallas County Community College District (over 70 credit hours 3.00 GPA). I am currently working on my Bachelor of Arts in Crime and Justice Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas (I'll complete Spr 06 w/ 120+ hrs). Eventually, I'll get my Master's in Sociology.

This Summer I plan to start looking into the internships available from UTD. That way I can start generating a little experience. I'm open to any other ideas though.

Thanks!!!!