How to drop out of hiring process w/o burning a bridge

[jobhunter]

I have been conditionally hired with my local police dept. I'm in
background right now, have taken the CVS & am set to take the psych in
a few wks. Academy starts in January. However, situations in my
family are occuring (cost of childcare, my husband's business and Air
Force commitments) that may not allow me to attend this academy full
time without straining my family too much. I am thinking of pulling
out of the hiring process and putting myself through the extended
academy that starts in January and is nights and weekends. Then, when
I graduate in Dec 2007, my family situation will be different and I
can apply for jobs. However, if I pull out of the hiring process with
this dept, will that burn a bridge with them such that they won't
consider my application in the future?
Also, i am 35 so next year when I'm applying for jobs, I'll be 36 - if departments don't post age limits, is there one?

Thanks

[justice12]

I would recommend a letter to the recruiter explaining in detail your decision and the reasons for it. If it is a small department cc the chief on it. Save a copy in case you apply there again and it comes up in the BI. I believe CA does not have age minimums, so if the PD doesn't have one specifically I think you are OK.

[L-1]

Many agencies allow you to have your name made inactive on the eligible (hiring) list. This allows them to bypass you and hire people who got lower test scores than you did without removing you from the list. When you are ready to work, you simply have your name reinstated to the list. Assuming you have not waited too long and the list has not been abolished, this make you eligible for hiring without having to go through the whole testing process again.

As far as the maximum age is concerned, law enforcement in California is exempt from the age discrimination act. While many departments use 36 as a cut off, they may not advertise it, so check with the department's human resource manager to find out what they do.