Being a Cop instead of going to college?

Question

I want to become a cop right out of high school instead of going to college, but i have a full ride to Florida State University. I went on a patrol in citrus county fl, and when i got home, i changed everything i wanted to do. Since then, i went on several more ride alongs, and i have been addicted even more :)! I'm not sure how to tell my parents, (they are partners insurance and realestate companies), and i know they will be pissed off, and probably kick me out of the house, but i feel this is my calling, and I will be the youngest cadet in FL to go through the academy, if i do it. this police dept. will watch out for me, and is allowing me to go while being 18, and i am already a PSO, which responds to accidents and criminal acts, but whenever i think about being a cop, a cop car goes by, or i hear sirens, which i believe is more than a coincidence. Please help with truthful answers, and nothing smart... i only have a couple weeks to decide...

Answer 1

Sorry to burst your bubble but the minimum age requirement for being an Officer in Florida is 19 and thats not something an agency can override its set by the CJSTC. But if I were you I wouldn't pass that college scholarship up because tuition is very expensive these days and if you ever wanted to get promoted in law enforcement most places want a degree and you'll wish you had taken the free money for college but it'll be hard to pay for on a cop salary. Its not like you can't still be a cop after college.

this will help http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/officer...

Answer 2

Oh man, I know how you feel. I was that way.  But please listen to me....  You have a full ride to a school. You don't have to have a degree to be a Police Officer, but these days, to move up higher into detective work and to get paid more money, you have to obtain a degree.  I am a cop and did not finish school. Now I am trying to find a school online to get my degree so that I can move up and get paid more money.  Being a street cop is fun, but when you get older you will want to move into a new area of work, like being a detective, investigator, Captain, Chief, etc.   So, listen to an old cop......You will be in that driver's seat soon with the lights and sirens........ but don't pass up an opportunity now that will advance you quicker beyond your peers.  Go to school first.

Answer 3

Being a cop INSTEAD of going to college makes no sense to me, as you MUST go to college before you can even be considered to be an officer.

Answer 4

I've never heard of a department hiring a person for the position of police officer who is under the age of 21.  If you have found a department and it is legal, go for it.  Your parents will eventually understand.  You are the only one who knows what you want to do with your life.  I should warn you that this job will involve long hours spent away from home dealing with people who hate you.  These people don't have a clue what you go through, nor do they care.  Please don't let my words discourage you.  There are times that you get to meet some interesting and amazing people.  But, for the most part, you will be dealing with dirt bags.  These people don't need any reason to judge or dislike you other than the fact that you are wearing a badge.  That being said, think hard and make sure that this is what you want to do.  It is a rewarding profession as you get the opportunity to help a lot of people.  Just be prepared to take a lot of c**p.  Good luck to you.

Answer 5

You can be a cop with a college degree. If you got a full ride to college, take it, then join the force. A degree is a nice plan "B" if you get injured as a cop.

Answer 6

Well, it depends on what you want, I can tell you to go get that degree and it not matter or change your opinion at all because what you want is what you want. I can tell you this.

I am a police lieutenant and I am only 26. I have a bachelors in criminal justice. I am one of the only ones at my department with a degree much less a 4 year degree. I have doors open to me all over the place I make good money and I am in charge of my shift. I pretty much decide what hours I work on the days I am supposed to be there. If I want to go in on the day shift I go in and the same on nights. That way I can supervise the shifts I am responsible for.  Without my degree and being 26 I would still be working the same midnight shift hardly any pay and I would not be where I am today.

I love patrol and I am great at it but I also love being a supervisor and knowing what is going on. Knowledge is power and the key to your future. It may not matter to you now but when you are trying to get promoted and pay raises you will wish you had that degree.

Answer 7

I don't think it's an either-or ... get a degree in criminal justice and you will be a much better cop.

Can you volunteer at the PD while attending college? That would really provide some great real-world experience while you're learning.

And don't get too caught up in being the youngest - once that's over, it's 40 hours a week for the next 20 - 30 years ... there's no need to rush to that, especially when you can take a few years to add to your knowledge and be more skilled for those decades of work!

Good luck!

Answer 8

u can go to school while ur a cop. some police departments will even pay a portion of ur tuition to go to school. being a cop is very demanding and you better be mentally and physically ready for it.

Answer 9

GO TO COLLEGE!!!!!!! I didn't even get through your whole question. Go to college. You can always become a cop later. A free ride too!!!! You are nuts! Keep in mind most departments pay you extra if you have college credits and it looks really good on a resume. Being a cop is great, don't get me wrong. Go to college!!!!!!!!! Become a police officer when your done, you can always fall back on your college education if you ever decide you want. THIS IS AN ORDER GO TO COLLEGE!!!!!!

Answer 10

Go to college if you have a full ride scholrship, those don't come along every day..

Answer 11

Listen very close.... You must first go to school and get a degree, because most agencies now want you to have some type of college hours. Also you will move up further in rank if you decide to go to school. I went to criminal justice online and did very well and it gave me a foot in the door. When my recruiter interviewed me and found out that I went to school for criminal justice, she smiled. Please go to school because on day you may want to change your mind and be something else. I lawyer, a judge, or anything else would require a good degree. Also the higher the education, the higher the pay! Listen to me and do not make a mistake in your life.

Answer 12

--- OK first off...  I know of no truly professional police agency that will hire without at least 2 years of college. Even the Citrus County S.O. drops the hint to you that you will be up against people with degrees. The last section of their applications reads:

  (e.) IF YOU CARRY A DEGREE,  (send) A COPY OF YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS.

--- Back when I was 17 my plan was to be a federal forest ranger specializing in wildlife management. At 18 I started at university taking my classes in biology but I ran short on money. I learned that a bedroom community was looking for guys to work part time on their police department and if you worked at least 24 hrs a week you could get your college credits paid via LEAP ( Law Enforcement Assistance Program).

--- I drove on over and signed up and started riding along and like you I became addicted in less than a month. I went to a police science major and never looked back. I worked in law enforcement from my 19th birthday until  about 23 years later when I had to take a medical retirement from injuries during a chase.

--- The job is highly addictive and if you are good at it its rewarding too. However, I would never tell anyone to do it without first getting a college degree.

--- Remember you are going to be dealing with all levels of the public and you need to be able to hold your own in a conversation with a doctor, lawyer, ditch digger, or professor. In order to do that you have to have a well rounded education. College gives you that as well as the core classes that will teach you the theories of the work you will be doing.

--- I could never have done the job I did without a college education and when I retired i had worked in every division and bureau in my agency as well as worked with both the US Marshall's Office and the US Secret Service. I also worked with the FBI but lets just say I preferred the other two.

--- Maybe there are some places that still hire with just a diploma, however if you want to get anywhere in that agency you will need that college education.

--- Think of it this way... For hiring or promotion when they examine the potential candidates who do you think they are going to pick, one of the guys with a high school diploma or GED or one of the guys with a college degree?

--- Take the hint, GO TO COLLEGE!