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oshphopeful · 01-22-2007, 11:57 AM

hi all. i am a freshman at youngstown state university working on my bachelor's in criminal justice-law enforcement. i just want to know which city department would take me after college. i am originally from cleveland, so i would like information on them or any of the suburbs around cleveland. i have been looking at brooklyn heights pd and some of the sheriff's departments. any suggestions?

ps: i am going to be doing the BPOTA senior year.
Thanks!

wdr2 · 01-22-2007, 07:07 PM

Hey buddy,

I'm a senior at the Univ. of Akron and from the Cleveland area as well. I'm currently job searching but finding that there aren't a lot of departments in the Cleveland area hiring. Your best bet is to look all over Ohio, as well as out of state and to take as many tests as possible.
I always had the idea that I wanted to work in the Cleveland area since I'm from there, but the competition to get into law enforcement is so high, I started looking in all over Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky.
Remember, that once you get your foot in the door on one department, you can always go somewhere else. Also realize that the hiring process is long and frustrating, but as long as you're really dedicated to becoming a law enforcement officer, you'll get a position eventually.
I know many police officers who took anywhere from 10-20 civil service tests before they were hired. As far as having a degree, most departments will give you extra credit on the civil service test if you have college experience or a degree. Good luck to you.

oshphopeful · 01-23-2007, 11:38 PM

thanks for the advice, bro. i've been looking at fairfax county p.d., alexandria p.d., and arlington p.d. in virginia and maybe us capitol police. i always liked the d.c. area.

wdr2 · 01-24-2007, 12:49 AM

HAHA! Deja vu.
I've been doing the same thing and just checked out those same departments a few days ago. From what I've heard, the D.C. police is a fairly easy department to get onto, but its pretty rough out there.
You also may want to consider looking into the Secret Serive Uniformed Divsion, Pentagon police force, and U.S. Mint Police. All are based in D.C.

Also, if you're willing to relocate, check out New York City. A friend of mine went through their testing process and said it was a joke. He got accepted into the academy but had already taken a job with another department.

oshphopeful · 01-24-2007, 12:58 AM

yeah, i was thinking about nypd, but that whole shooting mess recently put me off of looking at them. it looks like the physical test is fairly easy too.

Mejo83 · 01-24-2007, 12:23 PM

If you want try Atlanta PD. Is not a competitive test, if you pass it, your not competing against no one but yourself. I passed the test and the pt test which is a JOKE. But after talking to some of the officers there one told me it was probably safer to go to back to Iraq. I stayed the weekend in the city, and I can’t see myself working or living there so I dropped out.

ohiocop1976 · 01-24-2007, 07:09 PM

Atlanta PD is nice if you want to go Federal...THey have a great program and its not too hard to get on there....

oshphopeful · 01-24-2007, 10:24 PM

thanks. where are you in ne ohio, ohiocop?

OHDEP69 · 01-25-2007, 12:13 AM

Fairfax Co. P.D. is a great agency, I went through their process when our agency laid off. If they are still in need of officers as badly as they were when I went through, the process is very quick.

wdr2 · 01-25-2007, 12:17 AM

OHDEP69,

Are you a deputy with summit county? Also, how long do you have to spend in the jail or court security before becoming a patrolman?

OHDEP69 · 01-25-2007, 12:30 AM

Not with Summit, yes I did some time in the jail (everyone does). Is it a bad thing?..heck no!! Working the jail is a good learning experience as well as a way to learn faces and who the more "notorious" criminals in the area are.

blackandgold978 · 01-25-2007, 01:43 AM

I'm a Deputy for Franklin County S.O, brother. (Going on 5 years- Currently in Iraq.) I agree with the previous poster: Jail experience can be good for you prior to going out on the road.

That said, Ohio is a very competative market, with far more applicants than openings. I'm not trying to chase you out of the state, but some of the best advice I could give you is this:

1. Consider becoming something other than a Police Officer in NE Ohio. You could be a deputy or a trooper, or a liquor enforcement agent, or a C.O.,....there are many options.

2. Be prepared for several "No's" before you get a "Yes!" Hang in there......

3. Be willing to relocate. You're young, and I take it with no permanent attachments to home. Relocation may be easier for you, if you find a better opporunity out of state. Good luck in your search.

oshphopeful · 01-27-2007, 12:30 AM

wdr2, do you know if gcrta transit police is hiring? that was one of the departments i was looking at too. for blackandgold: yes i am willing and able to move out of state. i actually want to get out of this state.

wdr2 · 01-27-2007, 01:14 PM

I don't think the gcrta police is currently hiring. I check their site every few weeks, but haven't seen anything.

blackandgold978 · 01-28-2007, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oshphopeful

wdr2, do you know if gcrta transit police is hiring? that was one of the departments i was looking at too. for blackandgold: yes i am willing and able to move out of state. i actually want to get out of this state.

Then I certianly wish you all the best. IF you're persistent, there's no reason to believe you won't get hired. There's plenty of opportunities all over this country. Especially in the bigger urban areas.....

ohiocop1976 · 01-28-2007, 08:52 PM

I am with the Akron Police Department...currently working in the Patrol division

oshphopeful · 01-28-2007, 09:18 PM

is it a good department? i know parts of the city are a bit rough, kinda like it is up here in youngstown and cleveland.

ohiocop1976 · 04-12-2007, 02:27 PM

All the departments around here are getting rougher....we always have plenty to do around here