Getting hired as a police officer?

Question

Im going in the Marines, Im going to be a MP(Military Police) for 2 years, when I serve my duty I want to become a Civilian Police Officer. Since I had been in the Armed forces and had prior experience as a Police officer, would I likely get hired without haveing taken any college courses? or would I still have to take courses?and would u say I would be guaranteed the job as a police officer after serving in the armed forces, as opposed to just going in without any experience?

Answer 1

By joining th marines and being an MP you have an upper hand.

But no you are ont immediatly hired you still have to get your POST ( Police Occier Standards Training) Certificate before you can be a civilian Police officer.

You being an Mp you will have some experience thats all.

Deputy Explorer Gomez

RCPD

Answer 2

only taxes and death are guaranteed, certain dept will hire you with just a high school diploma or GED

Answer 3

It depends with what agency you are applying for and their regulations on hiring officers. I work with law enforcement and the requirement for hiring is a good back ground and your high school or GED. But you can get bonus pay with college credits.

Answer 4

1. What or who(m) says you must have a college degree? I entered into Law Enf in 1965, went to college, received my AA degree 68, BA 79, MA 81, MA 94.

While it helps to have a college degree, to be able to use your GI bill to go back to school after you know what the MP's are about and what police work is, would be more advantageous.

Also the military experience will help as a Military Person (Veteran/ Prior service) for the testing you will be granted 10% to your score.

2. Likely get hired? If you pass the entry exam and the physical, yes you can get hired to go to the police academy. If you pass the police academy, then you are a sworn officer, on probabtion for 6 mo to a year?? Pass this test and your and officer.

3. Having had the Military Experience as an MP, will give you a better understanding of what regimentation, orders, SOP's etc are. The difference between MP and Police is the MP deals with military laws and the UCMJ (Uniformed Code Of Military Justice / Federal) The police deal with state laws and or city codes.

Answer 5

You most likely will be hired with the Military experience. However if they have two people one with a college degree and one with military experience they will pick the one with the degree. You are much better off with the military than going to apply with no experience.

Answer 6

The general rule; the more education/training/life experience you have, the better chances you have to be hired. This also applies to your case.

If you serve in the armed forces you'll gain the life experience you need to succeed, and your chances should be good. Education-wise it would be advised to take college courses which may help you succeed (Business, communications, psychology etc). However, your chances should be good even without a college degree.

Answer 7

You have  defenite advantage over the average joe off the streets for getting hired. You would still have to take academy courses of course as MP laws and civilian laws and ways are as different as night and day.

You may want to check out:

www.policelink.com    as they have a whole section on becoming a LEO.

Answer 8

You're still going to have to attend a POST certified police academy and go through the same hiring process as everyone else.  I'm not saying your experience means nothing, but civilian law enforcement is a whole other ballgame.  It's one thing clubbing a drunk jarhead over the head and dragging him off to the brig.  It's another thing to club a middle aged accountant in a nightclub and have every lawyer west of the mississippi riding you and your department for your gun, badge, and every last cent you have.