security job???

[j91184]

For someone such as myself who is interested in becoming a LEO would a security job be recomended?

Any of you that have gotten hired and had a security job on your application, do you feel like it gave you an upper hand against others who didn't?

[geek4life]

Military, yeah.

Security, not so much.

[tjakai]

For someone such as myself who is interested in becoming a LEO would a security job be recomended?

Any of you that have gotten hired and had a security job on your application, do you feel like it gave you an upper hand against others who didn't?
It all depends if you were proactive or not; being a proactive security officer would give you some good experience on the streets.

[ComicGuy]

For someone such as myself who is interested in becoming a LEO would a security job be recommended?
Any of you that have gotten hired and had a security job on your application, do you feel like it gave you an upper hand against others who didn't?
No, not so much. Police at every level tend to see security as the red-headed, retarded cousin of law enforcement (there are exceptions, but its a pretty universal thing.)
If you want a leg up in law enforcement, do a tour in any branch of the military and put in for MP or Shore Patrol or whatever. You'll get real police experience, and you'll get five to ten extra points on any police department hiring list.

[sgttom]

military a plus.

private security? not much (and what ComicGuy said about being the red headed step child thing)....


there are quite na few SO's that have the classification of Sheriff's Security Officer (for example, Sacramento and Solano counties have them), this would be a good thing....

good luck

[BC1260]

All depends on who you work for and how you perform your job. I don't think that it will hurt you or help you, unless it is Government(public) security. I worked in security prior to my LE career and it didn't hurt me. Good luck to you.

[ejay]

Military is top of the book for experience. But private security can be a good entry in the resume as long as it is progressive.

For example, on my resume, prior to law enforcement I had started at the bottom of the security totem pole so to speak and each job (or within the same employer) I went up the ladder to a supervisory position. That for the most part tells potential employers a few things. You can stick around and grow. You strife for more. You have dealt with the public well enough to be promoted. You have leadership skills or ability. You are used to a hierarchy type environment.

If you don't plan or are not ready for law enforcement than go for it. If anything it will let you know if you can handle being called every name in the book plus a few you may not understand. It also hones your ability to deal with situations constructively and with limited resources and authority.

[j91184]

I don't know if any of you are being affected by the bad housing market (sellers that is) right now but I just got word that the company where I work at might shut its doors for good in about three weeks. My intentions were to get a part time security job but now it looks like its going to be full time. In the mean time I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope I make it through the Riverside Sheriff process. If that doesn't work out I'll take your guys advice and try to progress in the security job and hope it helps me out the next place I apply. Once again, thanks everyone for the advice!

[ComicGuy]

There's nothing wrong with doing security, but if you're going to be hurting for money you may want to deliver pizza. The money's good and you can set your own hours.

[McGruff]

^ Agreed...worry about putting food on the table first. In my personal experience, I have no military and/or security experience. I worked as a cook from 19-21 and as a physical therapist assistant from 21-25. When I had to sell myself to the Chief and Deputy Chief, I basically told them day in/day out, I worked with patients of all different races and colors. Because my city has section 8 and multi-million homes, they were more concerned with the proper treatment of each individual I came into contact with. Or maybe it was because I could cook Hawaiian food. Either way...it's a plus!