Re: becoming a police officer
 

I'm just trying to figure out how things work, I still don't know much about how they do things over in the USA

Re: becoming a police officer
 

Death or glory jimmymac. If you don't have a real go to reach the goals you want, you might regret it forever.

One thing I would suggest is that it might be an idea to seek out the easiest PD to get into. Apply, get in and work there. A transfer to Chicago or elsewhere will be much easier for a serving officer than a freshie.

If what everyone says about LA is the case, then if you have worked there, you can confidently work anywhere, and CPD and everyone else will know that. Might be worth a look.

Only issue with that is that once you get the buzz, it will be difficult to leave!!

Good luck.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

Thanks mate, I heard nopd is dying for recruits, I just hope they still will be in a few years time I heard new orleans is really dangerous at the moment too. I need to focus on getting the green card first though!

Re: becoming a police officer
 

Dying for recruits or recruits are dying?

Re: becoming a police officer
 

probably both

Re: becoming a police officer
 

I think the crime rate has increased in North Dakota. May be some demand there.
It was also listed as one of the best places to live recently.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

Do you honestly believe that holding a degree makes for a better police officer?
If so, you clearly have no idea what the day to day role of the average cop involves.
Not every jobs worth can be equated to whether a degree is required or not

Re: becoming a police officer
 

Yes. I do. Turns out both the government and her majesty's chief inspector of police agrees with me also.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

A degree for the sake of it? But still no idea as to why it would be needed I'm guessing?

Now, I know some limited specialist roles within the police, would benefit from a specific related degree..........I'm thinking forensics, computer related and financial criminal investigations, but I can't think of any real benefit a general unrelated degree would have for your average front line operational officer.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

It's horses for courses really.
As a former Police officer with a degree no less! I worked with fellow officers who had degrees and obviously some who didn't. There is no hard and fast rule- some officers who had been well educated couldn't cope and left before their probation, others who had not been so well educated took to the job like a duck to water.
An example, a lot of police work involves communicating with criminals and their associates the sort of people most members of the public cross the road to avoid I don't think that having a degree helps you prepare for these sort of interactions in fact being from a more straightforward background can aid you. Qualities like thinking on your feet, reading people, understanding slang, who might be telling porkies to you aren't taught at university.
Tom Winsor and Teresa May have no clue about Policing at all anything they suggest should taken with a big dose of salt.
I was a Policemen who was open to change and new ideas but it will always get peoples backs up if the government and others steam in with their rhetoric about 'lazy, incompetent, corrupt police', the organisation must be reformed with our new ideas immediately or else.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

I agree completely


I should clarify, that I don't think having a degree is a bad thing for a police officer, quite the opposite.

I just think that it's an unnecessary requirement for most police work and would ultimately result in a lot of your best potential applicants being precluded.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

I can remember when O Levels would suffice for many jobs, when I started work you could still get into my profession with A Levels, then it was a Degree, now I do not know...

Grade inflation, the people who would have just O Levels many years ago would now have a Degree,

Is it worthwhile, probably in the vast majority of jobs absolutely not.

You have the crazy situation where many people ill suited for further education are wasting a fair chunk of their potentially most productive years.

One article I read, probably Guardian, was an expose of the fringe Colleges that basically sign up anybody with a pulse, they get their fees, the 'srudents' get their loans etc, attendance not required.

No need to worry paying back because the 'students' are non UK or are never likely to earn enough.

Crazy world.

Obviously will have to come to an end at some point.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

In my daughter's agency, Deputies with degree education are always selected for advancement before those who are without one - to the extent that degree-less officers are not even permitted to apply for a promotion if there are candidates with a degree.

Re: becoming a police officer
 

That would make sense if the officer has a "relevant" degree, I'm thinking along the lines of management/ business type qualifications. It makes far less sense, if it's just a generic degree.