As stated in the post above....... Eastern Ky. University is very well known in this area of education. I am not a police officer but have worked closely with them in other related jobs in the past. I admire anyone anywhere thats wants to go into this line of work/carrer. Other than contacting EKU on its criminology program and opportunities I would say that if you could get in touch with any police officers/departments that you know in your area and talk to some of those people that they could give you the type of advice that you are lookng for. I am sure that you realize that being a Police officer is much more than most of the general public's impression of them.

Good luck to you, like I said I admire anyone that wants to go into tis line of work. Police, Firefighters, EMT's, Paramedics are imo hero's in their own right and we absolutely could not do without them.

Should you ever wonder about the respect for a firefighter or police, I don't know if you have ever attended a funeral with full police or firefighter honors or not but it is unbelievable. A well deserved and awesome tribute for a well respected fallen "local" hero and to their family left behind. I have attended these type funerals and they are a very awesome, emotional and fitting tribute.

 

I realize that I haven't given you much "meat and potatoes" info on your question and I apologize for going on. I just have very close friends in these professions and have lost some very close friends that were policemen and firefighters.

I admire you for wanting to go into this line of work. Good luck to you. :thumb:

 

I have a cousin who is an officer, and he love's it. I am a volunteer firefighter and EMT.

 

The comments above about funeral's are true. I am the type who doesn't normally get emotional about death. But, I have attended a few firefighter's funerals and I will admit, I cried like a baby at them.

Bell

I was a police officer for twenty-one years prior to my retirement a year and a half ago. For me it was a great fit. I enjoyed the challenge. Also the job provided me with a lot of options, specializations, I chose to go into investigations and was very pleased with my choice.

But Guru is right. It would have been very difficult for me to continue for many more years due to the constant pressure and stress. I was able to retire and received a very good pension. I am afraid the pension is not going to be there for those who are now starting their career.

I would not want to discourage anyone who feels they want to become a police officer. It is a great field that will care for you and your family as long as you don’t embarrass the job.

I would recommend you continue your education prior to making a decision and then maybe consider federal jobs. Good Luck.

 

This is the route I'm taking right now, but it's frustrating waiting to get into the job field. I'm getting impatient and sometimes consider just doing something local instead.

Sportsfan41, I think you should apply for local, county, and state law enforcement jobs. The experience may help you obtain a job at the federal level, and will make you a better federal agent. You may even enjoy the work and wish to stay, I did.

If law enforcement is the field you feel called to do, then nothing else will satisfy you.

Sportsfan41, I think you should apply for local, county, and state law enforcement jobs. The experience may help you obtain a job at the federal level, and will make you a better federal agent. You may even enjoy the work and wish to stay, I did.

If law enforcement is the field you feel called to do, then nothing else will satisfy you.

 

I definitely know that helping people and upholding the law is something that I thoroughly believe in, my only down fall is that I also enjoy drinking a bit. I've never had problems with it, but from everything I've heard and read it's almost as though it's frowned upon in law enforcement if you do it more than just a few times a month.

The result is what was once a great pension system is now going to be close to garbage and it is not the kind of system that is going to attract the best possible police officers.

 

In other words, if the pension system changes like I think it is going to change, anyone with an IQ above 100 is a fool for getting into law enforcement.

This isn't a very comforting revelation, Guru.

Sportsfan41 -- hopefully you will make your dream come true as becoming a police officer. I know it took me quite awhile to get into it. I actually was into it fairly early and made a stupid rookie mistake. But I was fortunate that someone took another chance on me and seen that I had mature. Now with the department I'm at I am a FTO, supervisor and a property officer. I've even been writing grants to improve our department. In fact, the current chief we have was one of my trainees, so I guess I'm doing something right. But my point is this -- it's a tough job and a thankless job -- we are never above the law -- we see a lot of things that make you think is it worth it but in all reality -- you've got to enjoy the job or you will go insane. Good luck with your efforts. Apply everywhere -- in fact -- what I did was prepare a packet with a cover letter, resume, transcripts of schools, and any other papers you fill are important. Trust me -- you'll send a lot of them out -- but it will pan out in the end.

bell,

 

I think there are many "better" things you can get involved in than police work. There are so many negatives about the job you really have to love it. I generally tell everyone they need to look at other options besides police work but if their heart is set on police work then sign up because we need good people in this profession.

 

On a side note, the police pension system for new hires is going to get torpedoed. I know people have strong thoughts on this but the way I understand the pension system it used to be in great shape but the legislature has been taking money from the "police pension" for years (with little or no repayment) which has created the problem today. In other words, mismanagement (or borrowing) of the funding for the pension is the major problem.

 

The result is what was once a great pension system is now going to be close to garbage and it is not the kind of system that is going to attract the best possible police officers.

 

In other words, if the pension system changes like I think it is going to change, anyone with an IQ above 100 is a fool for getting into law enforcement.

 

bellalumni, Listen to what the guru says, he knows of what he speaks.

My dad has been a police officer for Florence and Alexandria, Kentucky for going on twenty years now. Its safe to say that I think he enjoys what he does; he's always told me that if you want to be a police officer...the pay isn't right in the beginning of your law enforcement career, you have to attain seniority. But he also told me that being a police officer might have the best job security anyone could ask for.

My dad has been a police officer for Florence and Alexandria, Kentucky for going on twenty years now. Its safe to say that I think he enjoys what he does; he's always told me that if you want to be a police officer...the pay isn't right in the beginning of your law enforcement career, you have to attain seniority. But he also told me that being a police officer might have the best job security anyone could ask for.

 

I will agree that Alexandria is a great place to work and Chief Ward is IMO one of the top three chiefs in the Northern KY area. But I disagree with the job security issue -- I've seen guys with several years of experience loose their jobs because of the politics of small city government. IMO -- it's just a matter of what city you work for and what politicians are in office at that time. Seniority does help some but always remember -- they hired you and they can fire -- lol.