Any advice?

[ynohtnar]

I am 23 years old and a recent college graduate from East Tenn State University. I received my BS is Criminal Justice/Criminology with a minor in Sociology. 3.4 gpa (I hated the Sociology bit, but my adviser said the two looked good together.) I have no prior LE experience, no convictions, only one speeding ticket when I was 16 which got dismissed, no drug use, and I am in pretty good physical condition.

It seems everywhere I apply, the budget issues of the department has had a major role. I have current applications out with Florida Highway Patrol, Virginia State Police, THP and TBI, and about to send one to Kentucky State Police. I have heard from Florida and Virginia, both of which said they would be in touch with further testing information, but VSP stated that the August academy was postponed. With Kentucky having a new governor, I am concerned about the budget issues at hand there and rethinking sending in my application. I have also thought about applying with Knoxville Police Department here in TN and thought about sending an application out to Denver Police Department.

If you haven't noticed by now, I am wanting a job outside of my small community. I may have set my goals too high for a first time LEO position. Any advice from some of you veteran LEOs would be greatly appreciated.

[Landric]

Getting government jobs takes time. The bigger the government you apply to, the longer it takes and the bigger chance that budget issues will get in the way.

Getting a police job is a long process even without budget issues becasue there are a lot of steps in the process. Luckily you have just missed the holiday freeze. Almost no one gets hired in government jobs between November and mid-January in my experience. I would guess that if you apply to a bunch of agencies now, and one picks you up, you could expect to actually start working (going to the academy) around July or August.

I would first decide what state you want to live in. Once you do that, apply to local departments there in addition to the state police/highway patrol. Local departments will most likely have a faster process, and in most cases experience as a local officer will make you a lot more rounded than starting out as a trooper (there are some exceptions). I suggest you stick with the same state if you decide to move on to state police/highway patrol because it is often possible to take your service credit in the retirement system as a local officer with you to state employment if you stay in the same state. If you change states it becomes more complicated.

Have you looked at North Carolina? The Triange Area of NC (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, etc.) is growing rapidly and pretty much all the major PDs are always hiring. The NC State Highway Patrol is also constantly hiring. Raleigh and Durham PDs are large and constantly have openings. They hire you first and then send you to their academy, so all training is with full pay and benefits. Its worth a look if you have any interest in the area.

[just joe]

Since you are willing to relocate, South Florida, Nevada or Cali would probably be good places to go. Don't overlook small towns in your area--maybe as a reserve or part-timer. It will get an academy under your belt and give you a little experience. A degree is a plus and can help make you stand out from the rest of the herd. Sorry to tell you this, but your advisor lied to you. No one cares what your degree is in and a minor in Soc doesn't mean crap.

[TxJud]

Tx DPS is on a large hiring spree over the next few year(Aprox. 600 new troopers). Pay aint bad anymore either, They have streamlined the process to have an answer in 45 days with optional paid internship until the next academy starts in Sept. They are running 2 academies a year right now.

[SgtCHP]

California agencies are hiring.............

http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/index.html

http://www.post.ca.gov/Hiring/Job_Opportunities/

[ArkansasFan24]

The Arkansas State Police is hiring. They're also either about to get or have just gotten a nice pay bump. Additionally, the agency I left not long ago has about nine openings on their 54 man department. That tells you something.

Your background is fine. You seem to be applying just with state agencies. I work with one though not state police. Try finding a city police or county sheriff job (patrol or jail) first. That'll give you the experience you need to move up. Worked for me.

Good luck.


I am 23 years old and a recent college graduate from East Tenn State University. I received my BS is Criminal Justice/Criminology with a minor in Sociology. 3.4 gpa (I hated the Sociology bit, but my adviser said the two looked good together.) I have no prior LE experience, no convictions, only one speeding ticket when I was 16 which got dismissed, no drug use, and I am in pretty good physical condition.

It seems everywhere I apply, the budget issues of the department has had a major role. I have current applications out with Florida Highway Patrol, Virginia State Police, THP and TBI, and about to send one to Kentucky State Police. I have heard from Florida and Virginia, both of which said they would be in touch with further testing information, but VSP stated that the August academy was postponed. With Kentucky having a new governor, I am concerned about the budget issues at hand there and rethinking sending in my application. I have also thought about applying with Knoxville Police Department here in TN and thought about sending an application out to Denver Police Department.

If you haven't noticed by now, I am wanting a job outside of my small community. I may have set my goals too high for a first time LEO position. Any advice from some of you veteran LEOs would be greatly appreciated.

[ray8285]

If you haven't noticed by now, I am wanting a job outside of my small community. I may have set my goals too high for a first time LEO position. Any advice from some of you veteran LEOs would be greatly appreciated.

Depending on where you are in TN you aren't too far from Kansas City, MO. There are several mid-to large agencies in the metro area who are usually hiring. KCMO is one of the few who will put you throught he academy. The pay for most of the agencies is pretty good (pay according to cost of living). You could also check out the St. Louis Merto area, they are probably hiring most of the time as well. I went to the academy with the Jefferson CO SO Sheriff, good man and a good department.

Also, if you are looking for FL I now Jacksonville was hiring as was Tampa and the county Tampa is in (Harris?).

Keep trying, tough economy is especially hard on LE agencies. Every time the county is hurting for money we always get the first cut, and it's usually deep.

[ynohtnar]

Hey, I've been away for a while, but I wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate the advice.