When are you too old to start?

[Thisisme]

Hi,

I just introduced myself in Introductions . . . anyway, I was curious if being 41 is too old to start a career in law enforcement. I would like to hear from any individuals who have taken on such an endeavor. Currently I consider myself in reasonably good shape, although I would do some training before starting anything. I haven't noticed any upper ceiling (restricting me) for any local departments, with the exception of the CHP.

Thanks,
Mike

[keith758]

As an official "Old Fart" I'd prefer to hire a guy with life experiance. In Wisconsin you need a minimum of 2 years of college, and have to pass written, physical, drug tests, psych. exam and an oral interview to be hired, (at least for my department), but you'd get the same consideration as anyone else applying.

[Finch]

Originally Posted by Thisisme

Hi,

I just introduced myself in Introductions . . . anyway, I was curious if being 41 is too old to start a career in law enforcement. I would like to hear from any individuals who have taken on such an endeavor. Currently I consider myself in reasonably good shape, although I would do some training before starting anything. I haven't noticed any upper ceiling (restricting me) for any local departments, with the exception of the CHP.

Thanks,
Mike

In my training troop, we had a few folks who were 40+. As well, at my detachment, we have some older recruits. I'm in Canada so things may be different, but provided you aren't like 60, I don't see it affecting your chances.

On the average, I'd way prefer to be working with a 40 year old than a 20 year old. I'm 25 myself and can recognize how immature a 20 year old is (there's always exceptions, but most of them I've dealt with are here for the wrong reasons).

[kirch]

I entered the academy at age 34. I figured I'd be the old man. In fact, there were 3 others that were older than me.

I've been working as a part-time officer for 3 years now. Last August, at age 37, I applied for my first full-time position with the most competitive department in our area, where it's rare to be hired on your first time through the application process. There were nearly 1000 applicants. I was offered a position in the class of 20 recruits.

I turned it down (a whole other topic). But it just goes to show that, if you're a good candidate and there aren't any age restrictions, you've got a decent chance.

[sgttom]

not at all.. oldest here was 55 in the academy, still on the streets.. (this was ten years ago too).


you're too old when you can't change your own diapers / depends....

[gunnerdogg]

I was pushing 40 when I started. We had a couple of guys older than me. I'm still having fun 10 years later.

[e-man]

Not too old at all. I was 25 when I went through but started a new place and whole new retirement package at 35. I had guys in awesome shape during my academy who were in their 40s. I think. One was ex- Gunney Sgt and the other was late 30s and ex- NYSP.
I think some department prefer an older more life experienced person. Good luck.

[kingsman]

When I went thru the Customs academy, I was 49. When I checked with the local Police academy here in michigan, they discouraged me from even trying because of my age. They said no local major PD would hire me do to age, not that they wouldn't let me attend the academy and try.

[Chiram]

I know guys that have been well into their 50s when going through the academy. There again, they were given the position of Chief of Police in very small towns, so that's why they were going through the academy.

The local academy has two types of recruits. Thorough-breds and Clydesdales. Clydesdales can typically do all the required running/PT, but need to do it just a bit slower, much like the actual horse. The instructors understand that and are willing to work with anyone who goes through the academy. Actually, most of the instructors are in their 50s and 60s.

Just my $.02

[kirch]

Originally Posted by Chiram

I know guys that have been well into their 50s when going through the academy. There again, they were given the position of Chief of Police in very small towns, so that's why they were going through the academy.

Where can you get hired as a chief without ever having attended an academy (i.e. been an officer)? I've heard of such things where people have been elected sheriff, but never in the hiring of a chief.

[pkagel]

Willie Williams was the LAPD Chief w/o having been Ca POST certified.

[winq]

I started young, 23yo, I'm an old fart now. police work is a young mans job. But if you keep yourself in good physical shape,...and can handle the physical challange of academy, go for it!

[realluke]

your as old as you feel!!

[Pops]

I'm 44 years old and graduated from the Police Academy in December. In my area the municipal and county agencies do not have a max. age limit as long as you're in good physical condition. I've been told that many agencies look for older recruits. Life experience is worth alot! I put myself through the Academy and am in the final stages of the hiring process at a couple agencies. I hope to be working for one of them by the end of May. There'll always be someone who tells you your too old. 41 is not too old!

[C-SQUAD]

Your only as old as you feel. I went thru the academy with an individual who was 53. Good luck

[DaveinUtah]

36 years old here(will be 37 in May) and just starting my career. Like I believe someone else said, you are only as old as you feel.

[itawamba8]

I went to the academy with the oldest man to ever go through in the state of Mississippi, he was 62 at the time, nearly 63 that was in 2001, he is a detective now with an SO. He had retired twice from the Army and once from something else. He said he had always wanted to go through it and his next plans were to try the FBI Academy. That is one hard man, he never stopped on a run not one time, he might have slowed down a couple of timed but never quit, unlike some of the guys around my age and I am 24 now. So like some of the other people have said, you are only as old as you feel.
Good Luck

[BaseballBabe]

Good Luck. I am 31 and I am pursuing my dream job to become a cop. I see nothing wrong with being older.

[Robmeister]

With this recent shooting rampage of that 20-year-old deputy who killed 6 in Wisconsin, that brings up the issue of MINIMUM age...doesn't it?

Come on...the dude broke up with his girlfriend and got called "pig" by some friends.

Poor baby.....what kind of maturity level does that display.

Get some older more mature recruits in there that have had more than a couple failed relationships and who can handle being called names.

I realize that this is an isolated incident and that there are other factors, but there's a lot of banter across the U.S. about maximum age for L.E. officers.......have we taken a look at MINIMUM age?

By the way, I'm a 45-year-old recruit with the Jefferson County S.O. here in the Denver area.

Application Screening- PASSED
Written Test - PASSED
Oral Interview Board - PASSED
Physical Fitness Test - PASSED
Polygraph - PASSED
Psychological Test - Pending conditional offer of employment
Physical Examination - Pending conditional offer of employment
Background Investigation - awaiting introduction to my investigator

[misterizx]

I am 46. I went to the academy this year and was hired recently. Im in a lot better shape that 3 guys under 30 who were hired this year. My age has never been questioned by my Sheriff.
At a local agency I saw that you were not allowed to take their entrance exam if you were 45 years old. Im sure some departments have age restrictions. It just depends on what department you are looking at.
My opinion: If you want to be a LEO dont let age stop you.

[Robmeister]

Originally Posted by misterizx

I am 46. I went to the academy this year and was hired recently. Im in a lot better shape that 3 guys under 30 who were hired this year.

Way to go, brutha !

I'm right with ya.....'cept at Jefferson County S.O. ya go to the academy once yer hired.

So if all goes well, I will be near the end of academy training on my 46th b-day.

[andy5746]

We've had quite a few in the 37 to 40-something range that joined up after retiring with 20 years on in the military. Glad to have them aboard!! After age 60, our Dept. just requires a yearly physical if you are working a front-line position.

My next door neighbor went through the academy at age 51! He's working for a small college PD.

[bucksone]

My department hired a guy that was 51 and sent him to the local state trooper academy for training. I'm told that he embarassed many of the younger guys because of his top physical conditioning.

One downside is that many people heal slower as they get older. Another might be that, at least around here, you have to be on 15 years to be vested in the pension system, which would have made him 66 when he could retire with the minimum, which is, I believe, 22%.

He worked out fine with us. He resigned after about seven years because he came into a large inheritance which he didn't want to expose to any work-related lawsuit.

[screech60]

Originally Posted by Robmeister

Way to go, brutha !

I'm right with ya.....'cept at Jefferson County S.O. ya go to the academy once yer hired.

So if all goes well, I will be near the end of academy training on my 46th b-day.

Ditto from aonother 'mature' guy. Got hired at age 44 for my first LEO position. As at least one other stated, was in better shape than the some of the young guys. In fact, got onto our combined Helena PD/Lewis & Clark County SWAT Team this past spring. Wish I'd done it all ten or even twenty years ago, but wouldn't have the 'maturity' I do now.