Getting into an academy?

[tnajk]

I currently live in Denver. With no College education and no experience below my belt, I can't seem to get into an Academy. I've applied to many different Cities. Getting as far as oral boards, but others are getting picked over me because they are better qualified already. Going to an Academy that I pay for (here in Denver) is out of the question as I am the sole breadwinner. The wife and I have 3 children to support. I can't up and quit my job to go. I have to be hired on as a trainee, so there is SOME income to help support my family.

Anyway, we are now moving to Oklahoma because the cost of living is MUCH cheaper and I will be able to afford to go to an Academy. Only now, I can't seem to find one in Ok. Seems as if you have to be hired by a police dept. and they put you through the Academy there- regardless if you've been trained already or not.

Is this normal? I guess it's just weird because it's NOTHING like Denver! Does anyone know if it's just as difficult to get in as Denver?? I've wanted to be a cop all my life. Anyone know of a certain state/city that is in dire need of officers that they don't have enough applicants and might actually be interested in someone with no experience??

Thanks for any advice you can offer!!!

[rookie2812]

In my own opinion, your education and experience (or lack thereof) is what is hurting you. I went through the academy a few years ago in a medium size (500,000) city in the midwest. The requirements for a police officer state only a high-school diploma is needed, but the average education level was 3.5 years of college. The only alternative to not having a college degree is military experience. You might have a chance with a smaller department but there are too many people with college degrees competeing for jobs in medium to larger sized cities. I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear but it's my honest opinion. You should look into online classes from an accredited college in your area. Some universities have "accelerated" programs as well. You need to make your resume as attractive as possible to beat the rest of the competition. Best of luck.

PS - Don't let your lack of experience or education get in the way of your dream to become a cop, better yourself and good things will come.

[dallascntycop]

Dallas is hurting for officers right now..They are in need of 400 plus and will put you through the academy starting pay roughly 45k...But there are 3 local community colleges that also have self serving academies that you can do part time to get your certification and still keep a regular full time job and live the dream....This will at least get you certified which is one extra step above the next person on the list...

http://www.eastfieldcollege.com/cjtc/index.html

http://www.cedarvalleycollege.edu/scheduls/ce/fall/lea.pdf

http://ftp.ccccd.edu/lawenforcement/infosheet.htm

Good Luck...

[cso 348]

One of the best pieces of advice I can give is sometimes you need to step back a moment so that you can get to the big picture. If you are interested in joining a dept see if they have an auxillary. I was full time for close to 4 years and then left to go into business for myself. I regret the day I turned in my badge. 9 years later I am back with the same sheriffs office. 3 yrs ago I came back as an auxillary. I donated close to 25 hrs per month while still earning money to support my family. I kept my hand in it developed relationships that are paying off now that I am back as a full time deputy. I did have to go to the academy again, but it was a whole lot easier because of the auxillary experience. Once I graduated from the academy my supervisors had the confidence to turn me loose because they had seen how I worked for free.

Might help open some doors, but remember not to lose sight of your family

[jeffIL]

Wherever you move to, just start testing at places that don't require a college degree. Its not that big of a deal. Let them send you to the academy.

[azchopper]

My story is similar to yours. Phoenix is hiring and will send you though the academy and pay you 18.58 an hour. As long as you kept your nose clean never done drug or sexually encounters in the work place you have a pretty good chance. I have already been hired by them and just giving you a few ideas of what they ask you to be. Go to www.phoenix.gov/POLICE/ all info you need is there. Good Luck

[ftlaudcop]

consider working in you local county jail........

the experience will do ya good...!





www.schackdaddy.com

[djbaynes]

tnajk, I just moved from Colorado as a lateral to Phoenix PD. Colorado is different in that they have all of these private/Community college type academies that you can send your self through w/out being sponsored and I have that is differnet from most other states. I agree with everyone else, I didn't have college, but I did have military but I still had to work for two podunk Mtn towns in Colo before I jot a better job at a bigger city and then moved down here to Phx. A lot of SW cities are hiring, but its just the time factor thats why you don't put all your eggs in one basket and apply to many different Depts. As far as moving to Oklahoma, you leaving Colo to Ok you have to think about also your quality of life. They may say they support you, and I am sure they do, but a few years in OK after getting used to Colo and your family might mutany against you.

[stealth600]

From what I know about agencies in Georgia, many of the smaller agencies would pick you up if you have already been through the academy and became POST certified. And for some of the smaller departments that put you through the academy, they may require you are to work a certain amount of time with them before you can move to a different loctation with out having to repay the agency for them paying your way through the academy. Even after you have been certified, larger departments such as Atlanta PD, Gwinnett Co PD, etc would still make you go through their own academy for a short course that takes a few weeks.

Education does pull a lot of weight. In speaking with some high officials in LE, even though many agencies only require a high school diploma, they would really lean more to applicants that have at least some college experience (usually about 60 hrs.). Many are starting to have their officers to go back to school and complete their B.S. degree and are even taking it to the step to where they are working out deals with schools in the area and are offering tuition reimburstment. You should look into accelerated night courses. I am going to a ground campus of the University of Phoenix here in the Atlanta area. It is only 1 night a week from 6PM-10PM. Every 5 weeks you change classes and receive 3 credit hours.

Check out this website: http://www.ecjtc.com/THE%20ORAL%20INTERVIEW.htm It gives advice on going through the oral interview and how to bring out your potential based from previous jobs that you have had and even if you do not have any college or military experience. Best of luck!

[0206CPDAPPL]

Illinois has a Intern Program! You can put yourself in academy and get hired. The Chicago Land area has over a 100 department to get hired on!


I currently live in Denver. With no College education and no experience below my belt, I can't seem to get into an Academy. I've applied to many different Cities. Getting as far as oral boards, but others are getting picked over me because they are better qualified already. Going to an Academy that I pay for (here in Denver) is out of the question as I am the sole breadwinner. The wife and I have 3 children to support. I can't up and quit my job to go. I have to be hired on as a trainee, so there is SOME income to help support my family.

Anyway, we are now moving to Oklahoma because the cost of living is MUCH cheaper and I will be able to afford to go to an Academy. Only now, I can't seem to find one in Ok. Seems as if you have to be hired by a police dept. and they put you through the Academy there- regardless if you've been trained already or not.

Is this normal? I guess it's just weird because it's NOTHING like Denver! Does anyone know if it's just as difficult to get in as Denver?? I've wanted to be a cop all my life. Anyone know of a certain state/city that is in dire need of officers that they don't have enough applicants and might actually be interested in someone with no experience??

Thanks for any advice you can offer!!!