Corrections or PD in FL

[nyorka]

Hi all, i want to start out by saying I respect all you guys and the great jobs your doing. I currently live in the NY area (long island) I am looking to relocate myself and family to the Tampa area next year if all goes well. I will be flying down to look at houses next month. Im looking to start a career in law enforcement in FL, I will be 40 by the time I get down there, but I am into fitness, I personal train and I am involved with martial arts. My question is would it be quicker to get employed as a corrections officer after getting certified, my research tells me its in higher demand and I could get hired by a sheriffs office (pinellas, sarsota, hillsborough etc.) or PD after putting myself through an academy such as PHCC ? are there long lists of applicants for PD and road deputies ?

[lawdog1971]

There are typically a lot more applicants for law enforcement deputies over corrections. I would venture to say that most people enter the law enforcement field to work the road and specialized units, not work in the jail system. That being said, it's often easier to get a first job in corrections because the hiring criteria is not as stringent. BUT be careful that you don't get railroaded into staying in the jail if you really want to go on the road.

[Utah]

I tell alot of people this. Do what YOU want to do. Dont take just what they tell you to take. If you want to be a road deputy go be a road deputy. Most SO's will tell you "Do 18 months in the jail and we'll put you on the road". You may get stuck there for 5 years.

Dont feel that you need to start in the jail just to get on the road cause its not true. If you want the road apply for the road. When they tell you that say, no thanks i want to work the road...ill go apply to an agency that will put me there.

Hope that helps a bit.

[nyorka]

Thanks guys for the helpful advice :) of course my goal would be road deputy or PD, my point being that most of LE wants that. I just dont want to graduate the academy and join a long list of PD and Deputy applicants, when I could already be working corrections and getting valuable experience. I may get my Corrections Cert and then do a crossover program and be certified in both.

[LadyLawman]

Hi all, i want to start out by saying I respect all you guys and the great jobs your doing. I currently live in the NY area (long island) I am looking to relocate myself and family to the Tampa area next year if all goes well. I will be flying down to look at houses next month. Im looking to start a career in law enforcement in FL, I will be 40 by the time I get down there, but I am into fitness, I personal train and I am involved with martial arts. My question is would it be quicker to get employed as a corrections officer after getting certified, my research tells me its in higher demand and I could get hired by a sheriffs office (pinellas, sarsota, hillsborough etc.) or PD after putting myself through an academy such as PHCC ? are there long lists of applicants for PD and road deputies ?

Well I can honestly tell you I went through PHCC LE Basic Academy and am currently in the process of getting on in a local PD. The Pasco Sheriffs office has actually started doing recruiting for their jail. They came into the academy and gave us this option. We get dual certified apply with them go through the whole process get hired on in the jail and that is with the stipulation that after you put in at least 2 years you will then be able to go on the road. The current Sheriff here wants to promote from within the jail before he goes to outside hiring. My friend who decided to take that route will actually be working as soon as she passes her state test. She is already LE certified but did the 4 week crossover academy and went through the hiring process. She will be working and considered a deputy and will be allowed to carry when not in the jail. She will also have the chance to be able to move to the road should she choose later on down the road. Most Sheriff Departments would rather start you off in the jail to get a feel for dealing with learning to talk to the inmates as it will help you when you move to the road. Unfortunaly to be honest if your an average white guy with no LE experience even with college it may be tough to get a road job after the academy, and the hiring process is about 3-4 months long. If you have a chance to get your foot in the door and your ok with working in a jail setting then I would say do the LE then the Crossover. One way or another at least its a start in the right direction!

[lawdog1971]

I guess they do it differently up in Tampa. Most agencies down in South Florida will hire you first and pay you to go through the academy. So at least you know you have a job waiting for you when you graduate. The major sheriff's departments down here always try to sell recruits into corrections by telling them that they can cross over to the road after a year or two in the jail. The problem is that a year or two often turns into five or six years. The point being...if you want to go into LE, find out if any of the agencies in your area of interest pay recruits to attend the academy.

[LadyLawman]

I guess they do it differently up in Tampa. Most agencies down in South Florida will hire you first and pay you to go through the academy. So at least you know you have a job waiting for you when you graduate. The major sheriff's departments down here always try to sell recruits into corrections by telling them that they can cross over to the road after a year or two in the jail. The problem is that a year or two often turns into five or six years. The point being...if you want to go into LE, find out if any of the agencies in your area of interest pay recruits to attend the academy.
Pasco has a waiting list of people they havent sponsored an academy in a couple years!1

[nyorka]

Yes I think were all on the same page, Corrections good way to get in, but you may end up doing it for awhile, all depending on the agency. What about FHP? I have been corresponding with a recruiter and I am getting an app mailed to me.

[Defend Dade CO1]

I may get my Corrections Cert and then do a crossover program and be certified in both.

That is what I am doing now. I graduate the Correction Acedemy April 29th and start the crossover March 14th.