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How about "From Wannabe to Isa".

nightmare69 wrote:

jmra wrote: I don't think he was emphasizing the age thing at all. I think he was suggesting that over the years the industry has become more professional in nature leaving behind the Barney and good ole boy image. The next natural progression in professional development of police forces is to increase the basic requirements of applicants.
In the past insufficient pay has been detrimental to implementing those requirements. But as we see entry level pay for graduates continue to decline throughout the work force, higher educational demands on law enforcement professionals becomes more attainable.
If I were doing the hiring and I had to choose between a 21 year old with a legitimate degree in Criminal Justice and an early 30s guy with a business degree and 10 years of project management experience fresh out of a local police academy, I would choose the latter (assuming all other things equal).
In the absence of such experience (a kid fresh out of the police academy and another with a degree in CJ), I'm going to look closely at the individual's education and their capacity for learning.

If the industry is going to start requiring a college degree then they will have to up the starting pay to more than 35k a year. Otherwise why spend 4yrs in college only to make a salary that someone with a GED and 18 weeks in a academy can make? If I had a 4yr degree I would not be looking into being a cop. Some departments require 40-60hrs of college credit to apply or 2yrs LE experience, like DPS.

Many jobs requiring 4 yr degrees have a starting pay in that range. It's been trending that way for the last decade. Of course most of the LEOs I know make a good chunk of change (comparatively speaking) working off duty assignments. That being said, if money is your objective stay away from teaching and law enforcement.

E.Marquez wrote:

jmra wrote:From what I'm reading and hearing from local LEO, younger folks seeking a career in law enforcement are opting to go the 4 year degree route. I assume many of these kiddos start out envisioning working for the 3 letter agencies but at least start their careers with local departments. I have no idea how much emphasis those doing the hiring place on education, but if it is anything like other industries someone with the degree is going to have a significant hiring advantage over someone without.
One of my friends (A 29 year LEO veteran) is a professor at an accredited brick and mortar 4 year university. Their Criminal Justice classes are packed. He is also seeing a number of former MPs enrolled who are waiting for openings in departments and are taking advantage of their GI bill to increase their marketability in the field.
His view is that the field will become so crowded over the next few years with degreed applicants that a bachelors degree will become a requirement for new hires. I do understand that given his current occupation, his view may be biased.

Thats an interesting take on the LEO Job market.

While I've not heard a bad word said about having an education,and why would they...it's proof you can be taught.
I have heard an awful lot of "we would prefer to hire more mature people with real life experiences, then a collage age or just above kid out of school, military, another job market." or Ideas and thoughts to that effect.

Possible it's just a regional deal.??. some agencies may desire young 21-25 years olds fresh out of school so they can mold them.. other agency's may want an older person who can not only learn the letter of the law, but the intent as it relates to actual life experiences.

I don't think he was emphasizing the age thing at all. I think he was suggesting that over the years the industry has become more professional in nature leaving behind the Barney and good ole boy image. The next natural progression in professional development of police forces is to increase the basic requirements of applicants.
In the past insufficient pay has been detrimental to implementing those requirements. But as we see entry level pay for graduates continue to decline throughout the work force, higher educational demands on law enforcement professionals becomes more attainable.
If I were doing the hiring and I had to choose between a 21 year old with a legitimate degree in Criminal Justice and an early 30s guy with a business degree and 10 years of project management experience fresh out of a local police academy, I would choose the latter (assuming all other things equal).
In the absence of such experience (a kid fresh out of the police academy and another with a degree in CJ), I'm going to look closely at the individual's education, their capacity for learning, and of course all the other character traits essential to the job. If the only thing that separates the two is the level of education, the guy with the degree is going to get the nod.

From what I'm reading and hearing from local LEO, younger folks seeking a career in law enforcement are opting to go the 4 year degree route. I assume many of these kiddos start out envisioning working for the 3 letter agencies but at least start their careers with local departments. I have no idea how much emphasis those doing the hiring place on education, but if it is anything like other industries someone with the degree is going to have a significant hiring advantage over someone without.
One of my friends (A 29 year LEO veteran) is a professor at an accredited brick and mortar 4 year university. Their Criminal Justice classes are packed. He is also seeing a number of former MPs enrolled who are waiting for openings in departments and are taking advantage of their GI bill to increase their marketability in the field.
His view is that the field will become so crowded over the next few years with degreed applicants that a bachelors degree will become a requirement for new hires. I do understand that given his current occupation, his view may be biased.