Police and Fireman,advise please.

[cwkelle]

I am planning on beginning the process to serve my community, I'm planning on becoming a police officer or a fireman.

I have been reading about both jobs and what it takes to get hired, but I'm unsure the best path to follow.

I'm planning on getting my CPR before next semester and starting a program.

Right now I'm looking at arapahoe community college's program, either their http://www.arapahoe.edu/departments-and-programs/degrees-and-certificates/aas-associate-applied-science/law-enforcement-acad or http://www.arapahoe.edu/departments-and-programs/degrees-and-certificates/aas-associate-applied-science/emergency-medical-s-0

I know I need my CPR, and the second option above for arapahoe is the EMT-B. The first option above is for a police academy.

I'd like to pick a path that will employee me ASAP.

As far as a fireman or a police officer I think both jobs would be rewarding and give me the challenges I'm looking for.

Any police or fireman that could provide me with any advise to achieve my goals would be greatly appreciated. I'm still at ground zero and need to know where to begin to climb to my goal.


thanks,
Chris

[rforsythe]

Determine where you want to apply, some FD's put you through EMT school. Beyond that, CPR for the healthcare provider is the next step. Also research various EMT programs, some are better than others - one that goes far beyond the minimum class time specified by DOT is not a bad thing (I did mine at HealthOne, >100 hours more than the minimum required and definitely worth it). You won't need EMT to be a cop.

[cwkelle]

I would like to stay in Denver, or round about.

I've set up the fireman test in November with Denver.

My understanding is the police test is only one time a year, at the beginning.

My background is in customer service so I feel like I wouldn't even be considered for either job without starting the process myself, getting trained, ie emt-b, cpr, post. basically anything related to fire or police work.

Since Arapahoe offers some classes I thought I could start the process.

I also submitted a thing to wheatridge firehouse for their training, whenever it opens back up.

I'm still at ground zero so I'm a little overwhelmed.

Thanks for the responce.

[cowboykjohnson]

I am at the start of the LE process. I have CPR/First aid cert. Enrolled in Aims CC basic peace officer academy starting this August. Planning on doing ride alongs for experience. Taking more weapons training courses (because it looks good on a resume). Currently work in security which also looks good. Have many former and current LE friends, I still think that it's not what you know in life but who you know that helps you get places. The more experience you can cram in the better chances you have.

[02ducky]

Aurora Community College has a good program too. A lot of PD’s recruit from their graduating classes. Pretty cool because you can go part-time or full time. APD usually does the training for the POST

[OneGuy67]

I am at the start of the LE process. I have CPR/First aid cert. Enrolled in Aims CC basic peace officer academy starting this August. Planning on doing ride alongs for experience. Taking more weapons training courses (because it looks good on a resume). Currently work in security which also looks good. Have many former and current LE friends, I still think that it's not what you know in life but who you know that helps you get places. The more experience you can cram in the better chances you have.


I normally wouldn't respond to these, but this information is waayy off base. First and foremost let me say, I have been a cop for nearly 20 years. I've sat on hiring boards and conducted the background checks for potential hires in two different agencies. I am no expert, but I can tell you what generally will help.

Enroll in a peace officer academy on your own dime. Most agencies aren't looking to hire someone who isn't p.o.s.t. certified, primarily due to funding. There are a ton of people out there that are p.o.s.t. certified who they can hire verses someone who they have to pay a salary to while they attend an academy they also paid for. Some agencies do run their own academies and most likely will put you through their own, even if you've already attended an academy somewhere else. You need to do the research to determine where you are interested in working and find that information out, but attending an academy on your own time and dime is the fastest way to a career.

"Taking more weapons training courses" does not look good on a resume. Policing isn't all about guns. Being a security officer isn't a positive either. That profession brings baggage. Emphasizing both of these in an interview will quickly get you dropped from consideration, especially if you have nothing else to offer.

What agencies are looking for is someone with common sense, an ability to communicate, someone who has life experience to draw from, is well centered and grounded and who isn't going to take themselves too seriously. Most agencies require a level of education, which is important to show that you can complete tasks in a timely manner, are willing to listen to other opinions, have the ability to cognitively understand legal statutes, case law, legal opinions, etc.

While who you know is beneficial in the sense they can provide you information concerning their agency, what the belief system of the agency is, what code words or phrases are important to the agency, etc. Unless who you know has hiring/firing authority, they aren't much help other than that.

Lastly, doing ride-alongs isn't for "experience"; it is supposed to give you a good understanding of how that particular agency polices. It is the time to ask all the questions you want about the agency in order to sound knowledgeable when you are in the interview. One of the last questions usually asked in an interview is, "Do you have any questions?". That one will let them know if you did do any research into the agency at all and is a great indicator of those who are mass interviewing for a job, any job, and those who are genuinely interested in that particular agency.

My very last piece of advice: join the fire department. Fire guys are always liked, cope aren't. Fire guys stay in shape; cops don't. Fire guys get paid to sleep and watch tv; cops don't.

And if you REALLY want to get hired...hire a law enforcement coach who will assist you in your board interview, appearance, how to answer sticky questions, etc.

My humble $.02.

[xjtwo]

^^^ Thats good advice right there.....

OP...good luck on your career!

[rfizzle]

Everything OneGuy67 just said is dead on. Education is huge, I recently got passed over by my own department because the outside candidates had more education. Just my $.02.

as far as Fire most of my friends who've gone Fire got their EMT-B, it may not be required by the Department but it's training that does help. So I've heard at least. I did my EMT-B and ended up in LE so I don't know that much about the fire process....

Best of luck

[cowboykjohnson]

I normally wouldn't respond to these, but this information is waayy off base. First and foremost let me say, I have been a cop for nearly 20 years. I've sat on hiring boards and conducted the background checks for potential hires in two different agencies. I am no expert, but I can tell you what generally will help.

Enroll in a peace officer academy on your own dime. Most agencies aren't looking to hire someone who isn't p.o.s.t. certified, primarily due to funding. There are a ton of people out there that are p.o.s.t. certified who they can hire verses someone who they have to pay a salary to while they attend an academy they also paid for. Some agencies do run their own academies and most likely will put you through their own, even if you've already attended an academy somewhere else. You need to do the research to determine where you are interested in working and find that information out, but attending an academy on your own time and dime is the fastest way to a career.

Doing that

"Taking more weapons training courses" does not look good on a resume.

Been told by many that it looks allot better if you can show your are trained in defending yourself and others, as well as being able to maintain yourself under pressure.

Policing isn't all about guns. Being a security officer isn't a positive either. That profession brings baggage.

I should have been more specific, I'm not a security guard that sits at a door and looks like I care. I do systems work on recorders, dispatching and cameras. I also do all the internal investigations that will go to court or determine if someone will be fired.

Emphasizing both of these in an interview will quickly get you dropped from consideration, especially if you have nothing else to offer.

What agencies are looking for is someone with common sense, an ability to communicate, someone who has life experience to draw from, is well centered and grounded and who isn't going to take themselves too seriously. Most agencies require a level of education, which is important to show that you can complete tasks in a timely manner, are willing to listen to other opinions, have the ability to cognitively understand legal statutes, case law, legal opinions, etc.

While who you know is beneficial in the sense they can provide you information concerning their agency, what the belief system of the agency is, what code words or phrases are important to the agency, etc. Unless who you know has hiring/firing authority, they aren't much help other than that.

again I should have been more specific, this was along the lines of what I meant.

Lastly, doing ride-alongs isn't for "experience"; it is supposed to give you a good understanding of how that particular agency polices. It is the time to ask all the questions you want about the agency in order to sound knowledgeable when you are in the interview. One of the last questions usually asked in an interview is, "Do you have any questions?". That one will let them know if you did do any research into the agency at all and is a great indicator of those who are mass interviewing for a job, any job, and those who are genuinely interested in that particular agency.

This was not meant in the literal definition of experience (I went on a ride along so know I have policing experience). It was meant as giving you a chance to have the opportunity of the experience to gain knowledge of the profession and gather information directly from the source.

My very last piece of advice: join the fire department. Fire guys are always liked, cope aren't. Fire guys stay in shape; cops don't. Fire guys get paid to sleep and watch tv; cops don't.

Not the first time I have heard that, many of my LE friends tried to talk me out of it..[Tooth]

And if you REALLY want to get hired...hire a law enforcement coach who will assist you in your board interview, appearance, how to answer sticky questions, etc.

This is where the people you know in LE can help some as well if they are familiar with this portion of the process.

This information was very helpful thanks for elaborating, as I said I am just starting the process and these were some of the things I ave been told by both the academy and friends. [Beer]
My humble $.02.

[Ridge]

Aurora Community College has a good program too. A lot of PD’s recruit from their graduating classes. Pretty cool because you can go part-time or full time. APD usually does the training for the POST

That was going to be my suggestion...

[Stinky]

I'm not a cop...but I've got some experience in the area. The average cop doesn't shoot off the job or give a rat's tail about guns....unless he is a "Tackleberry." They try to avoid hiring Tackleberrys. So, don't go into an interview being a "Tackleberry" (Police Academy). They'll teach you everything that they think that you need to know about guns and don't give a hoot what you know about guns. IMO whoever gave you that advice...about gun training was a "goober."

Being able to maintain yourself under pressure ain't got nothing to do w/guns.

Taking law classes, at a JC or College does look good.

Look at the feds, ICE-ERO, FPS both have a sizable presence in Denver. Also, CBP has Inspectors (Which is not LE, although that have LE retirement) in Denver. They probably make 80K w/in 3 years.

If you go fed, take the first fed job that you can get and then transfer to a dif agency (meaning hire off the street for a new job).

Also, I haven't much experience around FDs...but I think that it is a better job, w/less turnover and MUCH harder to get hired into.

[Roger]

I am an officer, and I have been one since at least 1980. I currently teach at a POST academy at Pikes Peak Community College, in addition to my LE job.

Agencies do not give a rats ass about your weapons training. If they hire you they will train you. Taking lots of weapons classes may get you denied because you may appear to aggressive. They want people who are mellow, not aggressive. And they do not help with getting on SWAT. SWAT guys are good disciplined officers first. They do their jobs and keep out of the spotlight. They do not go to work dripping in gear, and they don't try to impress people with war stories. Be a good cop first.

Agencies would much rather have you take college courses then weapons courses. Criminal justice, sociology, psychology, and communication skills. Take all the English and composition classes you can. You'll spend most of your career writing stuff down. You may never shoot a gun, but you'll write stuff down.

Determine what area of town or the state you want to work in. Research the agencies you want to work for. If they have their own POST academies, then going to an academy may not help you. And if they train their own, it may be a waste of your time. However, if you are looking at smaller agencies, and or agencies that are more rural, getting certified first is a must. That is why you must research where you want to work.

Get in shape. You need to be able to pass whatever physical agility course they have. And you owe it to yourself and those you work with to be in shape.

If you choose to go to an academy prepare to spend a lot of money and devote a lot of time to study. The classes are not easy, and we routinely wash people out who can't hack it. More are washed out for academics then skills. Going to a POST academy is a full time job.

Getting certified gives you no authority. It means nothing until you get hired. Being certified does not make you a law enforcement officer and it does not allow you to carry a weapon or do anything else. That all comes from your job. It allows you to be employed as an officer. That's it. All your rights and or privileges come from your job, not your certification. Your certification will also expire if you don't get a job within a certain amount of time. If you get certified and don't get hired, you lose the certification and have to re-certify.

So before you jump in to this, have an idea of what you want to do, and where you want to go. You also need to know, that this is not a good time to get hired. A lot of agencies are broke. They are not hiring. They are not replacing people who leave, and some larger agencies are laying off. So it may be better to set your sights on smaller agencies, and or agencies that are more rural.

[OneGuy67]

Great points Roger!

[Irving]

How come you usually ignore these kinds of threads OneGuy?

[OneGuy67]

Over the years, I think I've answered just about every question that could be asked about law enforcement and tend to stay away from the conversation. However, when someone puts out really bad advice or information to someone else who has not done their own research with an agency or two, it hurts that person and I feel a need to keep that person on the right informational path.

The population at large is generally pretty uninformed about law enforcement, the court system, how their local, county, state and federal government work, are funded, or how they interact, what a special district is, or where to go to look up local, county, state or federal statutes that indirectly and directly affect them.

I don't know how to fix that problem...

[Irving]

I don't know how to fix that problem...

I'd say just relax because you can't and you won't. Pick any industry out of a hat and chances are that 99% of the public won't understand or know dick about it, except for what they think they know from what they've seen on tv.

[OneGuy67]

I'd say just relax because you can't and you won't. Pick any industry out of a hat and chances are that 99% of the public won't understand or know dick about it, except for what they think they know from what they've seen on tv.


Hence the reason I try to stay out of the conversation most of the time! There are times when I want to try to get the record or information straight if the conversation is leaning so far to the wrong that it damages perception, reputation or something along those lines.