Seeking Advice- Career!

[BBD19]

First off I'm the father to three beautiful children and the husband to one of the most amazing women I know! I am 34 years old and have done the same job (different aspects and location) every since I was 18 years old! The question is am I to old to seek a job in law enforcement? I get so tired of riding a desk and really feel like I don't earn my salary. I know many people would trade me in a heartbeat, but I keep having this feeling that there has to be more!

Opinion? If so, how do I get started?

[tex4k]

I don't know how to get you started on your new career, but I stayed with the same job for 30 yrs. I had a wife, 2 kids, bills, you know, like most everyone.Finally got the kids grown and took an early retirement option after I figured out what I wanted to do, I wish I had looked and tried harder long ago. The feeling of accomplishing something that you love is more than worth the worry and struggling for me. Plus if you're unhappy now you'll probably start to hate what you do before long, and trust having to get up and go to a job you hate is something I wish on no man. Good luck whichever you choose.

[scotth89]

31 here and really don't like my job. I have been in law enforcement in the past, I moved on for a job with much higher pay. In the long run I know I would have been a happier person if I would have stayed put. There are a lot of options when it comes to law enforcement, good luck to you.

[Cajun Blake]

BBD , what is your current occupation ?

[Mayhem]

what do you mean i dont earn my salary.

[charrell71]

Check with whatever force you want to join and find out when the civil service test is offered. That would be your first step in becoming a law enforcement officer. Also check and see if you have to have a degree in order to be hired. Some departments do, some don't. Good luck on your future career.

[Huntindad]

ya need to determine what type of LEO you want to pursue. Check out the requirements. age / education etc...

you ALSO need to consult your wife on your aspirations...
but... at 34, I don't think you are too old to pursue a LEO position.

[aggie2000tx]

You have a good paying job and a wonderful family but you are wanting to go into law enforcement that you put your life in danger everyday you go to work? Me personally I would want to do something that I knew I would make it home every evening. There are stories everyday on the news of a law enforcement officer getting killed or hurt terribly.

[glen]

PM with # and I'll discuss it with you. Been a cop for 19 years and enjoy most of it

[tvc184]

First off I'm the father to three beautiful children and the husband to one of the most amazing women I know! I am 34 years old and have done the same job (different aspects and location) every since I was 18 years old! The question is am I to old to seek a job in law enforcement? I get so tired of riding a desk and really feel like I don't earn my salary. I know many people would trade me in a heartbeat, but I keep having this feeling that there has to be more!

Opinion? If so, how do I get started?

Are you too old? No.

To get started you need to decide what law enforcement that you want to go into. Assuming that it is city police or the county sheriff department, find out what the hiring standards are for those agencies.

Some might require an educational standard like a college degree or at least some college hours. The state requirement is only a GED or high school diploma and I think that is the standard in most agencies in the state.

At 34 you are getting near the civil service (most agencies are not under Texas Civil Service laws) age limit of 36 years old. That is why you need to find out directly from the places that you want to apply. Also many agencies now want you to go to the police academy on your own or prefer to hire already licensed officers. Not as many send people to the academy and pay their salaries now as they have gone to hiring people that put themselves through the academy to save money. Then you have physical requirements that vary from agency to agency. Are you in good enough shape to pass an obstacle course, a timed run or whatever else is part of the hiring process. Again, each agency sets its own and they can vary greatly.

So that is the main thing, find some agencies in the area that you want to work and find out directly from them what their requirements and standards are. I have seen departments that would rather hire a person that isn't two or three years out of high school. I work with several officers that were hired in their 30's, a couple that were hired in their 40's and I was 28 when I started.

If you are in the Metroplex, you will have about 50 different agencies to choose from to research. Some might offer a ride with officers on patrol to see if you like the idea of the job or that agency.

Good luck.

[BBD19]

BBD , what is your current occupation ?

I'm a Systems Engineer with a government contractor. I don't have a degree just a fancy title.

[BBD19]

what do you mean i dont earn my salary.

Well, I make a pretty good salary, but spend most of my day surfing the Internet! No, I don't screw off, when there is work to do I'm the first one to jump up and get it done!!

[BBD19]

You have a good paying job and a wonderful family but you are wanting to go into law enforcement that you put your life in danger everyday you go to work? Me personally I would want to do something that I knew I would make it home every evening. There are stories everyday on the news of a law enforcement officer getting killed or hurt terribly.

I understand the sacrifice! But, I also know it take willing people to toe the line! Not trying to be a tough guy, just a guy that is trying to make a difference!

[BBD19]

PM with # and I'll discuss it with you. Been a cop for 19 years and enjoy most of it

PM Sent! Thanks Glen!

[BBD19]

I've done several ride along, and seen the excitement and the paperwork side of the career.


Thanks everyone for your input!