what can i do now to make me look better for a job?

[explorin]

like the title says, what can i do now to make myself look better than everyone else applying to become a officer?? im 19 years old, turn 20 in march..so i can start applying a few months after march.all i have is a high school diploma..i could go to school, but if i plan on being a officer by 21 or 22, it would be hard to get any type of degree in that amount of time..

so thanks for any suggestions!

[afm199]

You need a couple years at a community college taking justice courses to be desirable.

[L-2]

In no particular order:
Life Experience-
consider military service, full-time would be good, so any monthly requirements don't get in the way of your applying/testing/training, you could even ask for military police as a preferred assignment;

full-time employment, with good job record;

getting 40 semester college units or more.

Wait, isn't there a sticky thread, already? I see, it's buried in a sticky thread. Here it is: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153544

[2nsane]

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

[silversvs]

like the title says, what can i do now to make myself look better than everyone else applying to become a officer?? im 19 years old, turn 20 in march..so i can start applying a few months after march.all i have is a high school diploma..i could go to school, but if i plan on being a officer by 21 or 22, it would be hard to get any type of degree in that amount of time..

so thanks for any suggestions!

As already mentioned, you should review the "Becoming a LEO 101" thread which has answers to your question.

Stay in school. Stay away from administration of justice courses and concentrate on general education until you decide what you want a degree in.

Look at the agencies where you would like to work. Attend their citizens police academy, become a volunteer, work with your college to become an intern at one of those agencies. There is no better way to get your foot in the door than to give your time to the agency and get to know them while they get to know you.

Do you have any LEO friends or family? Get them to take you on ride-a-longs and become involved in what they are doing. You really need to determine if this is a career you will enjoy.

Keep your nose clean. No speeding tickets, no drugs, no poor choices in associates.

Get and keep a job. Work history counts a lot.

Get life experience. Move out of mom amd dad's place. Pay your own bills, get a credit history, be responsible.

Take writing and public speaking classes. These are two areas where we lose a lot of rookies.

If you can afford it, put yourself through a police academy timing it so you graduate as you turn 21.

Good luck. If YOU put in the effort you will see the reward of a great job in your future. It takes work, determination, effort, and PATIENCE to get a LEO job!

[T-1 Thunder]

As already mentioned, you should review the "Becoming a LEO 101" thread which has answers to your question.

Stay in school. Stay away from administration of justice courses and concentrate on general education until you decide what you want a degree in.

Look at the agencies where you would like to work. Attend their citizens police academy, become a volunteer, work with your college to become an intern at one of those agencies. There is no better way to get your foot in the door than to give your time to the agency and get to know them while they get to know you.

Do you have any LEO friends or family? Get them to take you on ride-a-longs and become involved in what they are doing. You really need to determine if this is a career you will enjoy.

Keep your nose clean. No speeding tickets, no drugs, no poor choices in associates.

Get and keep a job. Work history counts a lot.

Get life experience. Move out of mom amd dad's place. Pay your own bills, get a credit history, be responsible.

Take writing and public speaking classes. These are two areas where we lose a lot of rookies.

If you can afford it, put yourself through a police academy timing it so you graduate as you turn 21.

Good luck. If YOU put in the effort you will see the reward of a great job in your future. It takes work, determination, effort, and PATIENCE to get a LEO job!


Correct me if I'm wrong, officer - but I venture to guess that an applicant that is married or has kids may be looked upon in a more favorable fashion, too?

(Not telling the guy to get married or anything, but just curious)

[Iszlandsnow]

My suggestions:

1) Be a cadet or explorer or volunteer.

2) Stick "Supporter of _____ dept. or PAL" star decals on the rear window or bumper of your vehicle.

3) When you do the physical agility test for a department, wear some kind of Police logo t-shirt. This will make the other applicants think your affiliated and have some experience.

4) Get haircut, ask for "high & tight." Dreadlocks aint gonna cut it.

5) Pull up your pants and stop wearing size XXXXL t-shirts.

6) Buy a full size truck and install a scanner. Listen to it instead of Wild 94.9

7) Learn to talk "Ten Code" as your normal language.

8) Go on a ride a long with every local department.

9) Remember the names of everyone you meet.

10) When you get pulled over or run into a uniform, ask "Hey do you know Officer ______? Yeah, how is he doing?"

With :thumbup

[}Dragon{]

My suggestions:

1) Be a cadet or explorer or volunteer.

2) Stick "Supporter of _____ dept. or PAL" star decals on the rear window or bumper of your vehicle.

3) When you do the physical agility test for a department, wear some kind of Police logo t-shirt. This will make the other applicants think your affiliated and have some experience.

4) Get haircut, ask for "high & tight." Dreadlocks aint gonna cut it.

5) Pull up your pants and stop wearing size XXXXL t-shirts.

6) Buy a full size truck and install a scanner. Listen to it instead of Wild 94.9

7) Learn to talk "Ten Code" as your normal language.

8) Go on a ride a long with every local department.

9) Remember the names of everyone you meet.

10) When you get pulled over or run into a uniform, ask "Hey do you know Officer ______? Yeah, how is he doing?"

With :thumbup


:rofl

I think he may already have #1 down:cool

[motorman4life]

I'm going to go ahead and lock this thread, because the Becoming a LEO 101 thread is the best place for all of this stuff.

I was in your situation and I did end up going into the Army. You may want to consider the Coast Guard as things stand right now.

Stay out of trouble. Don't fuck up your driving/criminal/credit records.
Get out on your own. As mentioned. Too many 21 to 25 year old applcants live w/ Mommy and are seen as "not having enough life experience." College and military will help, but only if you are away from home.
Get your AA in General ED or a field that tuly interests you.. not in AJ or CJ.
Work on your fitness. Run, workout. Ensure you can pass the physical agility.
Learn Spanish.. seriously, learn Spanish.

Take the rest to the proper thread. http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153544