associates in criminal justice?

[gearhead400]

Hey,

I know there are a handful of law enforcement officers on this website so I'm hoping someone can help answer my questions. I want to pursue a career in law enforcement and eventually make my way onto a K9 unit. I know you need at least a high school diploma (check) and an associates degree (don't have that yet). The physical part of the job I'm very confident on. My question is, does it matter how you get your education? For example, if I did an online course vs a vocational school vs a community college or maybe a university, are any of those going to be looked down on? I would assume it would depend on the employer. I have to be able to keep my full time job and afford the cost of schooling. I'm looking into scholarships because I want to stay out of debt as much as possible lol. Any advice you can give as to which route is best to get hired on with a decent wage would be very helpful! Thanks all!

[Dixie Normous]

I rec'd my degree at the University of Phoenix (online classes) A degree is a degree...is a degree! It doesn't matter where ya get it as long as ya have it.
I am sure that you are aware that you will have to put in your time (a long time) before you can become a K9 Unit. You basically have to be approved by the department. Just picture yourself trying to adopt a child and that approval process is very similiar....atleast with JSO thats how it is.
Being a police officer is awsome, very rewarding, and also a very "trying" type of a job.

The academy was awsome...the fto period was awsome...and chass=ing our local drug dealers 3 blocks, catching them and then kicking their tired a$$ is AWSOME! I love every minute of it!!!

Go for it and good luck with your Law career!!!

[gearhead400]

I figured as long as you have it your in good shape but you never know! I know I can't just go right into the k9 unit, like any specialty unit, you have to prove your worth and work your ass off to get into those positions and that's definitely how I work. My wife is a long time dog trainer and we own 2 belgium malinois and just recently started seriously training our young male in schutzhund. That's what really pushed me to pursue this career. I'm making good money now in the career I'm in but I'm not happy and I don't get any satisfaction out of it. I have no idea what type of money can be made in law enforcement but I make almost 20 an hour now and I've heard I won't be near that for quite sometime. But I'd rather be happy with my job than have a little more money in my pocket and no feeling of accomplishment and a bunch of unnecessary stress. Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated!

[buythisatvstuff]

First let me congratulate you on an admirable and noble career choice.
Now get in contact with your local law enforcement agencies and find out their requirements for employment. Some are standard like good moral character, no criminal history, etc.  but some vary on other things like college educations. I know one local agency does NOT require a college degree, while another will not hand you an application without an associate degree.
Wanting to keep your debt minimal is a wise decision as part of the application is a full background check including credit history. However, don't rule out something like going to college and taking minimal loans to get yourself through the academy. I went to the academy full time and went to college part time to get financial aid to make it through to graduation and it was well worth it.
Another option is find out if any agencies near you do a sponsor program. some will do the application before you go to an academy and hire you, pay for your academy, and give you a check while you go through once you commit to working for them.
I recommend college regardless of your chosen career path, but it might not be necessary for you to begin the pursuit of a LEO career, and you can always attend classes later if you like.
As has been mentioned you will need experience as a LEO before being able to apply or be considered for specialized training like K-9 or ERT/SWAT. Focus on getting your certification first and getting hired, then about all the possible niches you can move in to once your hired.
Rest assured you can make a decent living as a LEO. especially with off duty jobs ,  overtime, etc. There will be ample opportunity for earning money, including promotions to other units and advancements in rank.
I went to law enforcement after being a bail bondsman and bounty hunter. It’s definitely more rewarding, IMHO, to put them in than to let them out.
Best of luck on your education and your career.

[gearhead400]

Awesome info! Thanks man! Yeah my next move was going to my local police deparment and asking what they look for in a LEO and let them know my goals etc. etc. A 2 year associates, at the very least is what I intend on getting. I want to be sure that the education I get would be enough to keep me employeed throughout most of the U.S. Incase I ever move out of FL.

I work construction right now and hire off duty LEO's quiet a bit for traffic control and it seems like they make a pretty good chunk just following around a bucket truck lol.

Again thanks for all the advice guys!

[digginfool]

I have a number of good friends in law enforcement and several of them are nearing their second retirement; that's right, second retirement.  In law enforcement, you work 20 years for an agency and then move on to another agency.  It makes for a nice retirement pulling from two pensions plus any investments you've made along the way.  One of my friends makes around $120,000.00 per year between his wages and the money he makes working details.  Yes, he works a lot of hours but for the most part, details are the best money that can be made and are typically pretty cush.  In South Florida, most of the more desirable agencies are requiring 4 year degrees while there are still a couple that will accept a h.s. diploma.  As in any other career, education usually puts you on a faster track to the top but don't forget; I Will beats IQ all the time.   

[gearhead400]

Yeah I figure if I can do online courses, so I can still keep a full time job, I'll start looking for work once I have the associates degree and then just continue my schooling as far as I feel necessary. So that way I'll have a high level of education plus experience as an officer. Two birds one stone.

I can't wait to get started, I'm working with a couple state troopers tonight so if we get a little down time I might ask them some questions as well.

[buythisatvstuff]

If you want to go state trooper it's a little different process. The state has their own academy that you must attend. I was state certified and would have had to go to their academy if I wanted my first job to be as a trooper. I'm not sure what their requirements are for education prior to application, so check out their site and I'm sure it'll tell you.

[gearhead400]

Nah, state trooper is not for me. I'd rather cover a specific area and stay in it. Although I probably know the orlando highways better than most of them since I'm on them non-stop it seems. I'm researching 100% online courses right now. Has anyone graduated from kaplan, keiser, or rusmussen? Or any other online university they can give a review on?

[asmart82]

I've heard the University of Phoenix is pretty good.  I have a friend I can get you in contact with if you'd like to learn more.  I am assuming she still does enrollment services.

[patches206]

Good luck and good hunting I have six years left to go and I am done!   LE pays okay but where the big pay off is, benefits and that monthly retirement check!  

[buythisatvstuff]

Many of the online courses cost more than a local college or university. You don't have to have a specific law enforcement background for your education (at least not in Hillsborough County), any associate degree will suffice. That also leaves your options open to continuing your education in other fields without starting from scratch. I would check with the local agencies to see what is required. You might want to go to the academy first, then seek your education after being hired, which will aid in advancement within a given agency.
Here are the state info for law enforcement officers as well as certified academies:  http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/CJST/Officer-Requirements/Exam-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx

[gearhead400]

I think I saw that the university of pheonix does not take fl students for their online program.

Thanks for the info man! I thought you had to have your associates in criminal justice, then they academy, and then you could be hired on. Hopefully I'll be able to contact my local agencies this weekend and see what all is required and such. Thanks again!

[suzkit]

Hey I am glad to hear that you are doing better.  I talk to your mom and check up on you and your family.  You sound serious about your endeavor.  If you are then things will work out.  ATVtrailer went to Strayer and they have an online course for that.  It is a lot more expensive online though.  Take care and hopefully I will be able to see the new family addition soon.

[gearhead400]

Nah, state trooper is not for me. I'd rather cover a specific area and stay in it. Although I probably know the orlando highways better than most of them since I'm on them non-stop it seems. I'm researching 100% online courses right now. Has anyone graduated from kaplan, keiser, or rusmussen? Or any other online university they can give a review on?

I hired a few FHP officers to do some off-duty traffic control last week and talked with one of them for about thirty minutes about being a state trooper and the requirements to become one. I've definitely changed my mind about being a trooper now that I know more about the job. You can apply to join the K9 Unit after 2 years of service and there seem to be more perks in the state job rather than county or city, although I could be wrong about that. The only draw backs are the 7 month academy in the states capitol that would keep me away from my family and make it hard to pay bills, the second is that the K9 unit isn't very large and I'd imagine it's a lot harder to get into than a county unit. You don't need a college education, but it's preferred. That means I could get away with going to school during those first two years that I'm not eligible for the K9 unit and at least have my associates when I do become eligible. Hopefully I'll have a Schutzhund title at that time too, although I don't know if that would help out. I would certainly think it should.

So we'll see!