I am 21 from Wisconsin. I am comptiplating to become a police officer. - Law Enforcement Forum - Local and International Law Enforcement Community

**gui4life** · 08-19-2008

Hello. I would like to introduce myself. Please bare with me while I make my story as concise as possible. I would gratefully welcome your help, please read on.

My name is Kevin and I am 21 years old (Almost 22). I have an Associates degree in Information Technology - Network Specialist.

About two weeks ago I found a neat website called Hulu.com On that site I found a TV series that was free to watch called "The Academy". This TV show, exposed me to something I wasn't aware of - The Police Academy - where new cadets are trained to become police officers. I didn't even know such a thing existed! Excuse my ignorance. I have become enthralled with this show and I just finished that last episode of season two (and hoping there will be a season 3).

About 1/2 way through season 1 I found myself saying that I could do this, I could become an officer! Not only that I COULD do it, but I have an intense drive on wanting to become a police officer and ultimately drive a squad car.

On some level, I always interested in becoming a police officer. I have the utmost respect for law enforcement. I have always looked up and respected law enforcement. I have fond memories of Police Officers coming to our school to talk to us about Drugs and what not. Fire safety, etc etc. I remember always running up to the neighborhood cop car and asking them if they have baseball/football cards (they handed them out.) I didn’t even want the cards, I just wanted to meet the officer and see his car. I remember DARE in middle school and the good impact it had on me. Not single handedly, but I believe DARE help keep me stay drug free and alcohol free. I have never smoked a single cigarette or any narcotics. I didn’t have my first drink until about…. 6 months after my 21st birthday. You guys really do make a difference when you engage with kids and young adults.

Anyways…

I had difficulty in school all of my life (darn “learning disability” and lack of confidence & motivation.) After having graduated from High school, I knew I had to go to school to make something of myself. I had convinced myself that I would never be able to attend a 4 year University; I turned to the only thing I knew – Computers. My father is a computer guy also and I have always been an addicted computer gaming addict (However since I’ve gotten out of high school – I hardly ever touch the thing.) I applied to a local two year technical college called “Chippewa Valley Technical College.” Here in Eau Claire Wisconsin. I didn’t even work very hard and graduated with honors and near the top of my class with an Associates degree in Information Technology (Networking). After growing up, seeing that I am not a block head, and meeting Jesus as my savior – I have a whole new outlook on life and myself.

Here in Eau Claire it is pretty much impossible to get a good IT job because the area is saturated with 3 colleges worth of IT guys/gals graduating each year. I have been struggling for the last year and a half on finding a challenging and fun job within IT. Right now I am working at a dead end job, completely boring and unsatisfying. I find myself heavily doubting my career choice, did I go into computers for myself – or to mimic my fathers footsteps, and to do what I only knew how to do. I had also always been overweight, I was down to 185 pounds after I graduated (which is a perfectly healthy weight for someone who is 6”4’.) Since then I sort of feel into depression because of not being able to find a job, Wisconsin winter blues, doubting my career choice, and other things I won’t mention. Because of this I gained weight back (arghhhh) and I am now 221 pounds. However, I got myself back on track and I am eating healthy again and exercising regularly. I lost 11 pounds last week.

I am basically writing this to you, is how did YOU know for SURE you wanted to be a police officer. I don’t want to sound like a fake, and saying after watching TV I wanted to be a police officer. I’ve always had this slight nagging feeling in the back of my head that I am being called to be a police officer. And after watching “The Academy” it opened my eyes – if these guys who are in their 40’s and if a girl who used to be flight attendant can become a police officer, why CAN’T I? Im not stupid, I can gain muscle and be physically fit.
I think a career in Law Enforcement would be very exciting. Every cop I hear speaks in such a manner, that they truly enjoy their job.
I did some searching around and at the Chippewa Valley Technical College, if I have more than 60 college credits (which I do) - I can be eligible for their Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Academy technical diploma.

The link to the program outline:
Programs

Would this be something that would allow me to get a position as a Law Enforcement Officer? Would I have to go through a State driven/funded academy?
Would an academy like the one in the TV show “The Academy” be better for my training and employment, vs Chippewa Valley Technical Colleges? Is there a difference? I will have to ask them…

Would not having an associates or bachelors criminal justice degree put me so far behind on not being able to become an officer? I know it’s different for every area – but I would like to stay in this area if possible.
I know a user on here that goes by “Double Tap”. Which also lives in Wisconsin. I have read many of his recent posts. I know you have known you wanted to be a police officer for a long while and have gone through that Young adult stuff. Are you a police officer now? I think you said you are going through the Academy, which one? What city do you live in?

Ultimately, thank you everyone for reading my long post! ANY guidance would be AWESOME. I have a lot to ask but I figured I would hold back for now.

Thank you!

Kevin.

**DoubleTap** · 10-02-2008

Kevin,

First, you do not have to have a degree in Criminal Justice to become a police officer. Get it in something you will enjoy learning about, they will teach you how to be a cop in the academy. What "learning disability" do you have? (If that is too personal, you can feel free to PM me). You will have A LOT of information to learn in a small amount of time.

Second, you say that you fell into depression based on those factors, just something to think about, are you going to be able to handle the high stress situations that you encounter in this job? If the answer is yes, awsome!!!!

Now on to the Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Academy. Basically what this does it make you "certifiable" this means that you can apply to a police department and on your resume' it will say "wisconsin LESB certifiable." This means the PD can put you on the street the day they hire you. If you were not "certifiable" the PD would have to pay you to go through the academy and pay for that academy. This means that they spend major $$$$$$, and all of that is before you can even be on the road, so you are saving the department more money, which will make them want to hire you more.

This academy is a "state driven" academy, all information taught during the academy is WILESB (WI Law Enforcement Standards Board). This means the same information is trained to EVERY LEO (Law enforcement officer) in Wisconsin.

**infman40** · 10-03-2008

Hi well you sound like you are making good money. My advise is for you to call your local police departments and ask if they have a reserve program. If they do then you can see if you like the job or not before you make a career change. good Luck

**gui4life** · 10-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleTap

Kevin,

First, you do not have to have a degree in Criminal Justice to become a police officer. Get it in something you will enjoy learning about, they will teach you how to be a cop in the academy. What "learning disability" do you have? (If that is too personal, you can feel free to PM me). You will have A LOT of information to learn in a small amount of time.

Second, you say that you fell into depression based on those factors, just something to think about, are you going to be able to handle the high stress situations that you encounter in this job? If the answer is yes, awsome!!!!

Now on to the Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Academy. Basically what this does it make you "certifiable" this means that you can apply to a police department and on your resume' it will say "wisconsin LESB certifiable." This means the PD can put you on the street the day they hire you. If you were not "certifiable" the PD would have to pay you to go through the academy and pay for that academy. This means that they spend major $$$$$$, and all of that is before you can even be on the road, so you are saving the department more money, which will make them want to hire you more.

This academy is a "state driven" academy, all information taught during the academy is WILESB (WI Law Enforcement Standards Board). This means the same information is trained to EVERY LEO (Law enforcement officer) in Wisconsin.

Thanks for the reply!

I no longer have the learning disability, I have overcome it(or at least found different ways I can learn better). It was a mostly a reading disability, I fell behind compared to the other kids in pretty much every subject other than science. I'm a good reader now, but I still stink at Math. I need a calculator at all times. :P

I have contemplated a lot if I can handle this job, and I think I can! I know it can be very stressful, but I think I handle stress well. But I have never been in a situation that police officers are in.

Most of my depression was because of my job being so freaking boring and NOT what I was expecting when I graduated. I was hoping for more challenging job, something like an Administrator of a company or something. But ive been stuck fixing computers, while it was fun for the first year at my first computer repair job, its is just a factory job to me now. The job I do now, I know I could have done before even going to school (I was a geek even before college).

Thanks for the info on the Academy. If this turns about to be the job for me, ill have enough $ to go though the Academy.

Code:

i well you sound like you are making good money. My advise is for you to call your local police departments and ask if they have a reserve program. If they do then you can see if you like the job or not before you make a career change. good Luck

Hehe. Your funny! That's anther reason why I hate my job. I get paid 4 dollars more than the starting wage of McDonalds.... And McDonalds around here start at $8.45/hour.
I believe they have a reserve program, but I want to go full time.

By the way..... I decided to make a blog about my journey to become a LEO.

Check it out, I think it might be helpful for other people in my position.

geektoofficer.blogspot*DOT*com (replace dot with a . the spam filter wont let me make a link.)

Thanks!

**DoubleTap** · 10-03-2008

While I like your enthusiasium (sp?), I would agree with infman, join the reserve program, if you already KNOW you want to be an officer, than it will at minimum get you a step ahead of the competition. Let me ask you this, What does it mean to WIN? Nobody else answer, just the OP. Respond in a PM, that way we can discuss why I asked you that in the first place.

In this profession, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you can do to get ahead of the competition is great, because in Wisconsin, it is a VERY competitive job market.


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