Depts in Orlando / Tampa Bay area that...

[CLB2112]

...hire young applicants?

I am currently a college student at USF and have completed 45 credit hours so far, and currently have a job as a security guard at Target (the "bad" one on fletcher). I also got accepted to the Florida highway patrol aux but the process is taking so long (we finished our first responder classes last march and havent done any training since).

I was going to wait until I was out of college and apply to the big depts of florida (TPD, HCSO, OPD, OCSO, FLPD etc) but now I am considering just applying for a smaller dept now and either become a part time student at usf/ucf or just forget about school all together for the time being.

My main question is, are there any depts in the central florida area that hiring, and would hire someone with my qualifications? Also, I would like to apply ASAP. I know that I dont have any previous exp. or a degree, but I did go through the same application process as FHP (polygraph, background check etc).

Smaller depts are fine with me...

[irishlad2nv]

Your qualifications are none higher then anyone else that usually applies into LE. Thats good that you are getting trained as a FHP Aux, however most agencies around the your area of interest either accept applicants that are already certified through Florida or have LE experience. Question, being that you are of age for any agency in Florida, why did you not apply for FHP to enter the academy and instead go for the AUX? I mean thats great that you want to help out FHP, however I would also just start applying elsewhere in Florida or your area of interest so that maybe you can get hired and not have to be a FHP aux.

But to look at your area around Orlando...theres Orlando PD, Winter Garnder, Winter Park, Ocoee PD, etc...the lists go on...

[CLB2112]

I got your private message, ill reply when I get back from work.

The reason being, at the time I applied I still wanted to go to school at my college, and my advisor said the best thing for me at the time was doing a reserve duty with a LE agency. I chose the FHPA because they give the best training, and the station is litteraly 100 feet from my campus.

I didnt apply to be a paid trooper because, I have little interest in working traffic. I love the FHP and its a great organization with the best training hands down, but to be honest traffic just bores me. Ive went on ride alongs with local PDs, and domestics, drugs etc interest me ALOT more. I do have very high respect for the FHP and FHPA though.

[orlandofed5-0]

19 is the minimum age to get a job in Florida. Start looking around at academies and getting yourself certified.

[CLB2112]

So should I go to the academy before or after I get hired/apply to an agency? I was told by MANY sources to get hired first before you take your schooling.

[gomets11]

So should I go to the academy before or after I get hired/apply to an agency? I was told by MANY sources to get hired first before you take your schooling.

While this is the way to go, it also takes longer and is much harder to get hired. Most agencys in FL prefer that you were certified before being hired. If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to the academy as soon as I graduated from FSU. Also, make sure you stay in school and at least get your AA as there is no subsitute for an education.

[purdinpopo]

All good things come from traffic.