Trying to become a Cop. Any advice?

I am trying to become am officer. All the local agencies other than state and the one that has an officer killed every couple of months aren't hiring. So, I have moved from local onto the Fed's. Looking into the SS Uniformed Division, Capital, and Park Police. All have a very nice starting salary. I have taken the written for the Park police and have not heard back from them (that was about a month ago). I got a book after that one to study the exams. I didn't realize they made the guides until it was too late. Any officers out there have any pointers for the written exam, Physical exam, or panel? The physical is what worries me the most. My running is slow and I get out of breath easily. I have a mild case of asthma or something wrong with my lungs and they just wont carry me to run real fast for long distances. I have been training to go longer periods and it is helping but not there yet.

Thanks guys.

 

I have been told that. I have been learning that in life recently too. Trying just to be more honest about things. When training for running, (the completion time is like 12.25 min for 1.5 miles) what would be a good way to train for that?

 

Join the National Guard as an MP. Serve your country 1 weekend a month and two weeks a year and then local police agencies will want you to work for them.


Just a thought.

 

get a treadmill and a timer!

 

thought about that!

got that at the gym

not big into the west coast, though i do want to visit.

 

Be decisive in your interview... dont second guess your decisions in the review board.

If anything is questionable about your being fired or not you were not fired. Being fired from a job means you wont be hired most places. Never say anything negative about a previous employer.

There is no benefit to being in supreme shape but be sure you will pass your run.

Everyone has something that can keep them from getting hired if they want to dig deep enough. Dont give them any leads or reasons to think there might be something wrong with you. Its their job to find anthing that night disqualify you. Dont help them, but dont lie either.

Everyone has little things in their past.If you have anything really bad in your past you night not want to try to become a police officer because it will come out. For small things have an explanation how that is no longer indicatice of who you are. I told them my 24 speeding citations were from when I was young and immature. I had no tickets for over 3 years when I applied.

Remeber this... nothing you say is to get you hired. Its all to keep you from getting hired... every question. Be as brief as possible. Talking a lot is indicative of lying.

 

Thats good advice. I often over talk quite a bit... ok keep it short and sweet. So the Job thing, that presents itself a problem, when I applied I had it, but lost it in July. Their reasoning that they told me was that "I was not qualified for the position that they placed me in" when this question comes up how do I handle it? I guess I just tell them the truth. I wont blame the company. I probably should have quit, but needed the unemployment, I haven't found a job yet.

 

My test is on Saturday morning. Any ideas on how early I should get there. Doors open at 8 close at 8:30.

 

Don't be late! It's that simple. They don't care if you show up an hour early or 10 minutes early, but DON'T BE LATE.

As far as interview panels go, you probably won't get much info on those, as most agencies have you sign a confidentiality agreement.

Keep in mind that being a LEO is not for everyone. Expect to work about fifty to sixty hours a week. THAT AND FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS YOU WILL BE THE TRAINEE. If you don't already have thick skin, start developing it.

That's all I have, and be prepared to hurry up and wait.

 

I don't know about that! Yes, people have things in their past, but if they can demonstrate that they have learned from their past experiences they should be good unless they are habitual offenders or felons.

For example, you had 24 citations for speeding, then for three years you had none. That indicates that you were mature enough to either quit doing it, or good enough at not getting caught.

Lying by omission is lying too, and if they find out later that you "forgot", YOU'RE FIRED!

 

Thanks! I have no problem with working that much at all. I like working overtime (looks around and makes sure no one actually heard that!) Thick skin, getting there. I am learning as I grow up the little things can't set you off. I was planning on being there very early. I was about an hour early for the US Park Police and almost didnt make it through the doors. I don't want that. I only have a grey suit and a light color suit at the moment or i can try and fit into my brothers 3 piece brown suit. What should I wear? Does the color matter?

 

If it's for the test only, I would dress business casual {slacks, nice shirt, nice shoes} For interview, a suit. Color won't matter unless it's purple or some whacky color.

Don't look sloppy!

 

The paper said they require a suit. It said that we may be there up to six hours because they may interview us after the exam.

 

The suit thing is preference. A guy who grew up poor wont like you if you have a nice suit. I had a Capt. berate me about how I could aford such a nice suit while not working and in college and pretty much thought I was a spoiled brat without exactly telling me so becasue my parents bought it for me. Someone might like a nice suit... someone else might not like you for it. Dont sweat stuff like that. I went to seven different departments before I got hired. Reasons for not hiring me ranged from 1 too few sit ups in a minute, overqualified for the pay, unstable job history, and bad driving record. If the first dept wont hire you just keep looking.

 

Thanks! Will do!

 

Definitely take as many tests as you can. Make a copy of every personal history statement you submit and keep it in a file. You probably will interview will multiple agencies before getting hired on.

 

What do you mean by personal history statement?

 

They ask about job, residence, drug use, tickets, family, bank accounts, references, etc. Keep the info handy. Make sure they don't contradict because they may look at previous applications.

 

I wanna see a pic of this