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..
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. 
My humble $.02.
Police and Fireman,advise please.
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Originally Posted by 02ducky
