What is needed to be a cop?

**stephen02ws6** · 06-03-2008, 04:20 PM

I was planning on going into the Marines as an officer but decided with my leg being messed up i wont make it. I decided to become a cop a try for SWAT later. Does anyone know what is needed to become one? Do you need a degree in criminal justice or can you go in without schooling?

**B34M3R** · 06-03-2008, 04:32 PM

You don't need a degree in crim justice unless you are going for a detective postition or some kind of specialist.... you just have to go through the acadamy(usually done through a normal college around here anyway) and "graduate" from that program... it doesnt take that long.

Also, no offence, but if you have a messed up leg, you arent going to be able to get into SWAT any more then the marines.

Since you wanted to be an officer, you still must have at least 2 years to go before you could get your commision anyway.... any chance the leg is going to heal up?

**Sarge** · 06-03-2008, 04:34 PM

Lots of ways....many get their certification working with small towns ...then work their way up while going to night school.....to get where they want to be....

**conny9784** · 06-03-2008, 04:35 PM

some depts require you to have an associates degree or higher but it all depends. you will have to take a written test, power test or something similar, psychological test, lie detector, police board meetings, doctor, etc. its a long process. all cops must be a patrolman first before ever going to swat, detectives, any specialized unit.. its not an easy job especially if you have a family. good luck

**stephen02ws6** · 06-03-2008, 04:36 PM

not 100%. its going to be tight for quite awile. you need a 4 year degree to be an officer in the military with going to OCS inbetween the years.

**B34M3R** · 06-03-2008, 04:36 PM

Ok, I just read your other thread.... are the doctor predicting perminate damage? Because if they are, SWAT would be out just the same as the Marines...

But if all you have to do is wait for it to heal, I dont understand why you are changing your plans.

**stephen02ws6** · 06-03-2008, 04:37 PM

i know you need to be in for at least 3-5 years before going to SWAT

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 06-03-2008, 04:37 PM

Depends on the department and state...here in cali you have to be at least 21 across the board. Some require college...some only require a high school diploma or equivalent. Take Sacramento PD for example, they require 60 units by the end of academy but you don't have to have a degree...you get 17 credits for academy so you only need 43 from a school going in.

Then you have the CHP which doesn't require credits....they weed out the dumbasses by being really picky on everything else and having a long ass live-in academy. I've heard from a CHP buddy I grew up with that it's like boot all over again...except you have more freedoms like weekends and wed. night off. They have expedient hiring for out-of-towners if you wanna give them a try.

**TransAm11973** · 06-03-2008, 04:52 PM

No Felonies

**TransAm11973** · 06-03-2008, 04:56 PM

I almost joined the military after college and decided against it,....then I thought about becoming a statey and was talking to one of the main troopers for a while about it....I am just afraid that I will do it and then eventually hate it.....no offense to cops on here, really, I have had freinds who were cops, but some times I am just like damn I dont know if i could really enforce some of the bullshit laws i see. Its just like for some stuff I am like damn who cares about that,.....worry about the real bad stuff...ya know?

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 06-03-2008, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by TransAm11973

I almost joined the military after college and decided against it,....then I thought about becoming a statey and was talking to one of the main troopers for a while about it....I am just afraid that I will do it and then eventually hate it.....no offense to cops on here, really, I have had freinds who were cops, but some times I am just like damn I dont know if i could really enforce some of the bullshit laws i see. Its just like for some stuff I am like damn who cares about that,.....worry about the real bad stuff...ya know?

Do the state troopers make you sign a contract or something? That's the great thing about non-military jobs....you can quit when you want.

Most departments allow officer discretion...meaning it's up to the officer if he gives someone a ticket or just a warning.

**Smkn_TA** · 06-03-2008, 05:31 PM

That's why I would love being an officer, Pull over some hot chick in a trans am for speeding then let her off the hook if she flashes you.

**stephen02ws6** · 06-03-2008, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by TransAm11973

I almost joined the military after college and decided against it,....then I thought about becoming a statey and was talking to one of the main troopers for a while about it....I am just afraid that I will do it and then eventually hate it.....no offense to cops on here, really, I have had freinds who were cops, but some times I am just like damn I dont know if i could really enforce some of the bullshit laws i see. Its just like for some stuff I am like damn who cares about that,.....worry about the real bad stuff...ya know?

Ya there are some stupid laws out there. I would be a nice cop unless the person is a dick. Do you have any regrets not going into the military?

Originally Posted by Smkn_TA

That's why I would love being an officer, Pull over some hot chick in a trans am for speeding then let her off the hook if she flashes you.

I dont think you would be able to do that. I would be nice, but dont think it would be a good idea.

**FSANE** · 06-03-2008, 06:42 PM

Can't be a cop under 21. Go To SCHOOL!!!

**The_Wretched** · 06-03-2008, 06:49 PM

go federal... that is where it's at!

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 06-03-2008, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by The_Wretched

go federal... that is where it's at!

Like what...US Marshals? FBI is gay...and takes a BA I think.

**JoshieDoom** · 06-03-2008, 11:01 PM

I was going to go to school and get a criminal justice degree when i graduated last year but right about that time I had a good friend of mine die and my dad get heart surgury after being struck by lightning, so I said screw moving halfway across the state. Anyway.. I think in a few years Ill try to be a city cop, always like the idea of making the TA have flashing lights and pulling over streetracers

**ls1bandit** · 06-03-2008, 11:15 PM

Depends on where you apply, when i joined LAPD i just had to be 21, with a HS or equivalent and pass the test, they put me thru the academy. If i would have tried being a cop in MN where i grew up i would need to go thru 2 years of college to get my LEO degree then apply for a position somewhere. So its all about the area and department you apply for.

**jad628** · 06-04-2008, 04:25 AM

Your state makes a minimum standard that has to be met. Most of the application process has been covered here, so I'll only summarize that it is lengthy and comprehensive. Depending on your leg, it may disqualify you (I hope not, but that's being honest).

Larger departments (like mine) have their own Academy. PT is a daily thing. Lots of classroom stuff, defensive tactics, etc. Defensive tactics greatly exceeded anything I received in the military. In the military my training relied heavily on weaponry and the fact that death was almost always a good ending for your adversary. As an LEO, most of your hand-to-hand stuff is to overcome a subject and taking them into custody... ALIVE. That is a HUGE difference. Of course, we also train to use deadly force, but we have a use-of-force continuum that you cannot ignore. DT will continue throughout your career and, if you are lucky, you get to train sometimes with well-known martial artists (the last one I got to train with was Carlson Gracie, Jr.).

Our Academy is around five months. After graduation, you are assigned to a training officer (several) and have to get approved by them before you are cut loose. That takes several more months to happen. Lastly, you have to complete a probationary period during which time if you FUBAR, they can fire you immediately. After the probationary period, you can still get terminated, but you are afforded some protections where the reasons for the termination have to be justified. NOTE: Sheriff's Departments around the country are somewhat different, but being the Sheriff is an ELECTED official, many Deputies have been terminated without real justification. Basically you are at the mercy of your Sheriff. If they don't like you....bye-bye. Check into that if you are considering a Sheriff's Department!!! I'm not bad-mouthing those agencies, just stating a fact.

Somebody mentioned how it would be cool to stop a hot chick and get flashed. Here is a no-bullshit fact from someone twenty-two years into this profession: Yep, you will see the Tetons and the occasional glimpse of morning dew on the shrubbery, but that is probably one of the most DETRIMENTAL aspects of the job. If nothing else, remember this one adage:

"The badge can get a lot of women, but it ony takes one woman to get the badge".

Do not let your hormones take over!!! It has caused many an officer to change careers suddenly and a few to see the wrong side of the jailhouse bars. If you ever stop a woman for an offense and she propositions you in ANY way, write her for the full amount. Cut her NO slack. If you do reduce the charge, and she comes back and complains, it looks like you are doing it for "compensation". Not that you can't defend yourself, but why give her any ammunition?

I've been a detective for the last sixteen years. There was no college-requirement for that, but there is for promotion above that level. That varies greatly amongst agencies (Feds require a four-year and the subject course can also come into play; i.e. Secret Service may sometimes look favorably on degrees in accounting). Sworn positions here in NC cannot be filled until you are twenty-one (you can attend the training at twenty, but you must be twenty-one before you are sworn-in). I came straight out of the Army (I ETS'd four days before I started the Academy), but the application process took months.

Im most areas, you will end up with a salary in the lower part of middle-income status. If you want lots of money, it ain't the best choice. But benefits are usually good and the job satisfaction cannot be measured in a dollar amount. Sometimes it will suck......bad. You will see some things that are nightmares come to life. You will lose sleep, you will realize your own fears, and face your personal demons. You will reach a point where you will doubt yourself and your ability. All that comes with the territory. Still, you CAN overcome all that. If you are willing to apply yourself and accept the fact you can't change the world single-handedly, then maybe it is right for you.

Good luck.

**Mike Hawk** · 06-04-2008, 07:10 AM

man good post. i dont think i could do it because i might kill a criminal like a pedophile or something and then i would be in big trouble. my adrenaline would be too out of control to handle. Someone told me that you pretty much have to be born a cop and have wanted to actually do that since you were a kid and not really have an anger problem, but 75% of officers i have come in contact with are pissed off at the world so i dont know if anger is an issue. but seeing how so many officers i have noticed seem so angry at something makes me wonder if their vocation is too much for their mind to handle on an everyday basis, you must be very mentally capable i assume.