Canadian Looking for Police work in the States

[copeland]

Hey!

I recently attained my Criminology diploma, along with studies in philosophy. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what the chances are of finding work in Policing in the U.S. What guidelines are necessary (Citizenship etc.)

I have a clear criminal background (No offenses, clean drivers abstract, no smoked and never taken any illegal substances)

Any help is greatly appreciated...

[L-1]

As far as California is concerned, state law requires that a peace officer be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

An alien who is eligible for peace officer employment is subject to the following laws:

Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall diligently cooperate with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the processing of his or her application for citizenship and shall be disqualified from holding that position if, three years after the filing of an application for employment, the person has not obtained citizenship due to failure to cooperate in the process of the application for citizenship.

Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his or her application for citizenship is denied.

[krcool32]

Most states require you to be a U.S. citizen in order to be a police officer in the United States. That is probably going to be your toughest hurdle to overcome. I know in GA you need to be a U.S. citizen.

[co911]

KRCool is 100% correct. Most (not all) US LE agencies require citizenship, as do most (not all) states. You must have permanent residency to work in LE. So either marry an American or find an employer who will sponsor you to come here. It is not impossible to this, just expensive and drawn out. If you want to be successful, finish a 4 yr degree minimum and join a Canadian LE agency first.

[copeland]

Yea I figured that citizenship would be the biggest hurdle...

It's demoralizing up here, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police hire by quantity not Quality (Ie ethinicity and sex are priority to represent all members of society). Case in Point, I wrote my rcmp exam, scored the same as my friend who is a male East Indian...guess who was invited to the physical? I went to the physical to learn and support him. And while there, there were people who scored lower then me, but were of a specific ethnicity to warrant being invited to the physical. At one point in time I watched a woman, I would guess, in her mid thirties walk off the obstacle course saying "F@#$ this, I don't need this job."

I was so mad, that could have been my seat.

Anyways, I've moved on to City Police now and am hoping I can peak a cities interest.

I just wanted to see what oppurtunites lay on the the south side of the border.

Anyone know any girls who wanna go halfers on dual citizenship? :D
Or any leads on agency's not needing citizenship? Maybe I can get in through the bottom tiers...

Also, how would I go about being sponsored? would/could it be done by an agency?

[Washingtonian]

Most large departments here have "affirmative action" as well. The same thing could happen to you here.