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Joining a U.S Police Department.

Joining a U.S Police Department.

Old Jan 5th 2011, 7:35 pm
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Default Joining a U.S Police Department.

Hi, I am currently considering moving to the U.S after I finish Uni and joining a U.S police dep. somewhere like LA or New York.

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to join the police here in the U.K to gain some expierience, I also hear that you can tranfer more easily to the U.S.

I've already posted in the Immigration/Visa section about Green Cards etc.

As far as I know LA is the only department that allows you to join if your not a USC only a Green Card holder.

I've also considered working with the Park Service before hand as my degree will be American History related.
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Old Jan 5th 2011, 7:54 pm
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Default Re: Joining a U.S Police Department.

you don't consider the USA, the USA considers you.


Basically, in a nutshell.
I as a US taxpayer would be knocking on the door of my city mayor or local park service if they sponsored someone from a foreign country whilst we're looking at 13% unemployment / underemployment...
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Old Jan 7th 2011, 8:08 am
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Default Re: Joining a U.S Police Department.

Whether or not you're able to join the UK Police (most forces are not recruiting right now) will have no bearing whatsoever on you being able to join a police dept in the U.S (There is no provision to "transfer" from the UK to the US). Not so long ago some depts in Australia,Canada and NZ recruited UK police officers,but that's not happening now, and may be a while before it does again,but you'd have about 5yrs experience anyway,so that's a non starter.

LAPD does take applications from permanent residents but they must have already applied for citizenship. The vast majority of depts over here only hire US citizens as police officers. You can apply for civvie jobs with the police without citizenship...but you have to be in the U.S in the first place,and be a green card holder...it's a real catch 22. The U.S.is one of the hardest places to emigrate to. Having the degree might be useful for being sponsored in some other occupation,other than the police.

Check this out,l copied it from another forum.

There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:

(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience.

(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (2) above.

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries
The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated to the hilt.

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years?

(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum. or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation that applies just to you.
The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime


Recruitment agent will not take you seriously if you are not already in the US. Writing for jobs is really a waste of time; likewise US employers have no idea what foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to get your qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that do this ..
But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer before you can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost them upward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really special to get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent





Originally Posted by Moleman24
Hi, I am currently considering moving to the U.S after I finish Uni and joining a U.S police dep. somewhere like LA or New York.

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to join the police here in the U.K to gain some expierience, I also hear that you can tranfer more easily to the U.S.

I've already posted in the Immigration/Visa section about Green Cards etc.

As far as I know LA is the only department that allows you to join if your not a USC only a Green Card holder.

I've also considered working with the Park Service before hand as my degree will be American History related.
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Old Jan 9th 2011, 3:39 pm
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Default Re: Joining a U.S Police Department.

I think all has been said and you really need a bit of a reality check. Just curious, why are you so set on the US for a career in Law enforcement?

From what I can tell from the recruitment here in BC, Canada, forces were on a very aggressive recruitment campaign due to large numbers of baby boomers retiring; however, in the past 12 months or so, it has slowed significantly and I daresay that over the next 10 years, it is going to be very tough to get in (as it was when I was going through the process). I imagine that it will be the same in other places.

If you are serious about law enforcement, you have to make yourself as competitive as possible. Secondary education, community involvement, volunteer work etc. ( and stay out of trouble and don't run up too much debt)

I'd persue law enforcement in the UK if i were you.

Good Luck
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Old Jan 10th 2011, 1:59 am
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Default Re: Joining a U.S Police Department.

Originally Posted by dboy
I'd persue law enforcement in the UK if i were you.

Good Luck
After doing the job in the UK and Canada and having done a few shifts with metropolitan US forces, I'd have to disagree.

Each to their own though. Good luck.
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Old Jan 10th 2011, 11:57 am
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Default Re: Joining a U.S Police Department.

Originally Posted by stewie_griffin
After doing the job in the UK and Canada and having done a few shifts with metropolitan US forces, I'd have to disagree.

Each to their own though. Good luck.
Oh I dont doubt that. I have a school chum who is a Insp in GMP and we often compare notes. Pay and working conditions are def better here in Canada. I find that officer safety training and awareness is very poor in the UK, evidenced by being pulled over with my brother last summer while on me hols in Derbyshire.

The US is odd as it varies a lot from state to state, although the bigger forces are comparable to Canadian forces. Most Canadian forces are very similar in terms of pay etc

I was referring more from the view point of someone finishing Uni and seemingly wanting to get into policing. I guess it comes down to what he wants more, to emmigrate or be a copper. If it is the latter, i suspect he would have more chance in the UK at breaking into policing. As i noted, its getting harder to get in here and i can remember what it was like 15 years ago when I was trying to get in when hardly anyone was hiring.

Last edited by dboy; Jan 10th 2011 at 11:59 am.
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