I've always wanted to be a police officer but is it to late for me?

Grumpy

Go to a community college, take Law Enforcement classes.
Apply at small city police forces, to get experience.

Being a Police officer is not what you see on TV.

Yours: grumpy

As some people have mentioned, to be in federal law enforcement, there is an age limit to start.

If you are going for state or local law enforcement, you need to check with the recruiting bureau of the department(s) you are interested in. It may vary slightly from one department to another, but many departments only require that you pass the same physical ability or agility tests that everyone else has to pass. If you are able to pass the test, you can do the job. If you can't pass the test, it doesn't matter what age you are, you can't do the job.

I work for a city PD and the requirements here for age are pretty lenient. One of the guys in my academy class was 51 years old when we started. Of course, he was in incredible physical condition and put us 20-somethings to shame much of the time. He also had quite a lot of useful experience from everything he'd done in life. The department was glad to have him, and we even voted him president of our academy class.

machine_head_327

No.
I'm 34 and just out of the Army.
I'm in the last stages of becoming a police officer, and I hope to be hired within the next few weeks.
There really is no age limit if you can pass all the physical requirements as well as the written and background stuff.
They actually want people with "life experience".
I say go for it if you want it.
Also, check websites from PD's in your area, and find out which one you want to work for as your 1st choice. (Pay, benefits, etc)
Then find out their test dates and go test! After that its all up to the agency.
To expedite to the process make sure you have your background info on hand (do your research!)
Hope I helped Ya!

Dustin

Your 30? So the smell of fresh donuts should be in arms reach. Hey, if fat females can do it. So can you!

midnightdealer

I would call your local agency and see what the hiring requirements are. Some states require BLET certification and some community colleges offer this program. Check to see if you need it first, and also what are the physical requirements.

gaptx45

No it is not too late if you can pass the physical training part of the police academy. If you want to be a police officer in any big metropolitan areas of the country they also require you to have a college degree. Check out the police dept. website of the force you wish to join.

eddjuly

NO it's not too late, in fact they upped the age to the 40's for police academy or maybe eliminated it, not sure. I'm in my 30's as well and am almost done now (of course after going back to school) with my Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, I'm not giving up, I've come to far :)

BlueFire

No, I doubt you are too old at 30. Contact City Hall in the community in which you are interested in serving. They will be able to provide you with the minimum criteria needed. Some are less restrictive and others seek higher abilities as well. Case in point, my city requires all police officers to be EMT's as well.

You can also contact your local State police training facility. They will be happy to give you more info that you can handle.

Good luck!

sarhibar

Bite your tounge LOL

I was in my late 20's when I joined up. The federal cut off is 37 but state and local have far more lenient guidelines if they have them at all.

As long as you can handle the physical requirements, go for it!

Good luck!

fr_chuck

No not at all. Although I had been in "law enforcement" and corrections before I went though the GA POST Law enforcement academy at Fulton County when I was in my 40's and had no problem ( graducated number 2 in our class)

bear8357

Most often it's control freak abusers that want to be cops anyways.They love the authority trip,while packing a gun.Thinking I can snuff your life if I feel like it,just give me a excuse.

Jo Jo

The mandatory retirement age for law enforcement officer with the federal government is 57.

Jan G

If Im not mistaken you asked about legalizing pot, if you smoke pot you cant be a cop..lol. The drug test. Otherwise if you dont call your local police dept and ask.

robbet03

Go to www.theblueline.com to see if police departments in your area are hiring.

Michael

As others have responded, it's probably not too late. It depends on the local department. An academy classmate of mine joined our Dept in his mid 30s ten years ago and is now a Sgt.

Also, you might want to look at reserve officer programs. Many Depts have reserve ofcrs. Requirements and training vary. For example, in Calif, "level 1" and "level 2" reserves are required to complete the same training and probationary requirements as full-time ofcrs.

Compensation for reserves also vary. Many Depts treat them as "volunteer" ofcrs; others pay.

The benefit of becoming a reserve ofcr is that you do not have to completely change your life and start over.

Yager

Check with your local Sheriff or Civil Service. Law-Enforcment is a GREAT job. I'm retired and miss it, too many dirt-bag and not enough time.

Shawnie

To get a job with federal agencies, u cannot be over the age of 37. I'm assuming the same is for local police officers, so u still have a few years.

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