UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Hi all,

I am currently a serving British Officer and am planning to move to Virginia USA to set up home with my fiancée. I will be on a fiancée visa initially until we are married when I can apply for the green card.

I wish to use my experience in Policing in my employment in the states, however it seems that most forces require any applicant to be a US citizen.

I therefore have 2 questions;

1) Do you know of any forces in the Virginia area who would take on an experienced officer whilst a 'status candidate', or

2) Can anyone suggest a role that would suit my Policing skills within another agency/company where my citizen status would not be such a barrier?

Thanks.

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

I know a guy who like you moved out to the States with his American girlfriend. Like you say, he couldn't get a job with the Police as he wasn't a citizen. He took a job as a security guard (i think they're called 'Loss prevention officers' out there). It helped him learn a little procedure and law and make contacts with the cops. He is now in LAPD SWAT.

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

You're right,you can't become an officer here until you have citizenship,although some places will let you apply as a green card holder but you must already have applied for citizenship.

The best way to go would be to join a dept in some civvie capacity,i.e. Dispatcher,CSI,Intelligence Analyst,Police Service Aide ect, just to get your foot in the door. Quite often you can get those jobs with just a green card,and you can make some good contacts once you're already in a dept.

Another thing to remember is that once you've got your green card,you'll still have 3 yrs to wait before you can apply for citizenship.

Good luck.

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

I am also a serving UK Police Officer, living in the U.S. Confused!? I'm currently on a career break and came here back in '06.

You cannot become a Sworn Officer here in the U.S. I am a Crime Scene Investigator for a PD here. On my first day the Chief of my Dept. asked if I would become an Officer if I got my Citizenship. I asked if he would make me work the streets, he responded that I would be expected to do that... so I told him I would NOT be an Officer.... I have 20yrs Policing experience and am a qualified Trainer!

The CSI work is great, I have learned a lot since being here and am currently applying for my US Citizenship; that will allow me to look at work with the State and the Federal Government in the same line, or more specialised.

Good Luck... give me a shout if you want some useful websites. There's plenty of Forensic work in VA.

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Rougesvp, thanks for the reply.
Did you have any SOCO experience prior to doing CSI work in the US? Apart from the standard scene preservation duties / continuity of exhibits / limiting cross contamination etc I have no SOCO or forensics experience.
If you could ping me any websites that you think maybe useful that would be great.
Thanks.

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Stinger,

Tried to send you an email thru this website.... did you get it?

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Do your ex constabulary know you are working in the US? :sneaky:

Just interested. :)

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Yes Ma'am. One is permitted to seek employment on a Career Break.

Going several years without an income would be a bit much to ask!? ;)

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Thanks

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

I am coming upto the end of my two year probationary period as a Police Officer in the UK.
I have always had a dream of living in the USA however with my previous relationship I was unable to pursue this due to personal differences, however now my situation has changed and at 23years old I am looking at my options and where my career as a Police Officer can take me.
I have always liked the USA and a trip to Cincinnati to stay with a friend, who is living over there, allowed me to experience the American way of life and this impressed me.
I completely understand that if I managed to get over to the USA I would have to wait 3-5 years, depending on my situation, until I would be able to apply for the Position of a Police Officer and continue my career. However, I was wondering what kind of jobs are available for non-us citizens that will assist me in experience and for CV for eventual application to a law enforcement role.
I love my job as an officer and would love to continue it eventually in the USA but want to set myself up in the best possible way so my goal can be acheived.
I have seen on many threads on this website, which have been very useful, that these dreams can be acheived.

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Jamie,

Good luck with your probation! My first question is; how do you plan to become a US Resident... that's your first hurdle.

Beyond that, I can give you some pointers.

Cheers!

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Just to inform you taht the NYPD ,wen recruiting invited foreign people to take the exam, for myself wen i was about 21 i applied ,past the exam,but place in a pool ,for exemple if you are a veteran you have points,etc,etc, but the nypd at that time invited me to to the exam,without being a us citizen,and with no green card. Might worth the trie.
wp:)

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

Well.....I was going to get onto this point....but didnt want to bore people with
too much detail at first lol.

I am currently seeing an American girl and things are going really well with me flying over US or her flying to UK every 3 months. Its early days but I am looking at my options and possibilities for the future say in 2-3 years time.

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

great and hope for the best for you, by the way the NYPD was the only one doinfàg that at that moment, and the exam was about 1h30 long we were about 500 peoples ,lol, by the way ottawa police(canada) seeking experience police officer presently. and uk law are very similar to canadian criminal code(peace)for you isnt it,if you interested you can give me some help to for uk law,question i may have for you.

bye for now
live your dream!

pw

Re: UK Police Officer moving to US
 

The NY Dept of Citywide Services might well let non citizens take the written test for the NYPD because they're not concerned with who's a citizen and who isn't,they're just administering the test on behalf of the NYPD but u can't be hired unless you're a US citizen or have applied for citizenship.