Im going 2 college soon, but i've changed my career plan and want to be a police officer. should i still go?

gabs4_28

criminal justice, and take some others one

Quasimodo

College is an additional plus in police work. Some departments insist that you have a degree. The majority ask for a high school diploma and that you're 21 or over.
Although I've yet to see little that was picked up in Criminal Justice courses that applied to the job, it's theory at best.
College will also give you the edge over other candidates. So don't forget college because you may not need it. Get an associates and then once hired go to school at night (or day..whenever your shift allows) and get your BA.

Tentative1

Definitely still get a career under your belt, as you may not get in. A good course would be Psychology as this would help enormously as a criminal profiler, and if you don't get in for whatever reason, you have an extremely formidable string to your bow.

Good Luck

welsh_witch_sally

education is never wasted

WISE OWL

Yes. Go. Your qualifications will be an asset and if for any reason you have to quit the police force you will still have them to fall back on. The police have no preferences for subjects. They take you on criteria such as results, social skills, character, and determination.You also have to be physically fit.
In any case they do not take anyone under eighteen so you might as well use the time constructively by studying.

Michael R

Some departments give you extra points on the test if you have a degree, or if you have a degree in criminal justice. Honestly as long as you get your degree in whatever you want you will be fine.

albertbigndaft

I'd recommend seeing a bit of life outside and perhaps more qualifications/a trade first.

alxnol

The more qualifications you've got before you go in the force the better development oppurtunities you will have to specialise in different roles, stick with college for the moment. Plusits incredibly hard at the moment to get in the police force in the UK, it can take years on a waiting list in some countys.

badshotcop

Goto college mate, get your A-levels and make sure you have a part time job whilst you're there. Make sure you get some life experience as well, because whilst qualifications aren't essential, experience is.
Uni, isn't so important, some of the crappest cops are the ones who have just graduated with a degree in buisness studies and think they know something more than people who have lived a bit more.
Also, if you apply at 18, don't expect to get in straight away. Although they won't admit it, the higher ups prefer older people, I didn't get in until i was 21, each time i was told "get more experience" e.t.c.

Also, you'll be in the police 30 years, that means you could be out at 50. What will you do for the other 15 years? Qualifications will help you a lot.

Adam M

The south wales police force hold a HNC or equivalent in Public Services in very high regard. The course is all about leadership, team building etc. BONUS you get to attend the police riot school and see the guys in action, you actually become part of a CONTROLLED riot!

kim_in_craig

Go to collage - criminal justice.

angelfire

I am not sure how old you are, but i would go to college if you are are still late teens, v early 20's. I dont mean to be disrespectful but its just that you need life experiences and im not sure if you have personal experience that has prepared you to deal with all the walks of society / situations that you will meet / find yourself in. I'd go to college, but become a special constable to give you experience and an insight into thier real world. It would also go in your favour when you apply to become a regular. Also i did an Into Blue day course, cost @ Â£100, but well worth it for what they tell you. It basically prepares you properly to apply. As for subjects to study - law would be useful :), and perhaps pyscology?!? Good luck whatever you decide to do.

edison

You can never know enough about everything the more knowledge you can intake the better logically look at a policeman`s lot perhaps you would like to go into forensic science so History,Maths,& all will be beneficial good luck in whatever you decide to do.

shevek_v

Yes - definitely go to college and study whatever you want. My niece is a police officer who joined after doing a combined degree in Geography and Psychology. She loves the job and combines it with being a mother and a housewife. As a graduate you'll still have to do your time on the beat though. But there are fast track programmes for graduates.

Good luck in your chosen career.

Karen

You do not need any formal qualifications to join the police force. You do need,five GCSE passes at grade c or above. They prefer that you have worked in the "community" at some stage,and are able to speak different languages. You will need to be physically fit,and be prepared for a rigorous fitness test. Entrance examines will be required.

JMB_INFO

Criminal Justice will be your major. A college degree will help you move up within the ranks of the department much quicker and you can specialize in something other than a beat-cop. Take college seriously though because common mistakes in college like minor in possession, drunk driving, etc. will kill your chances of becoming a police officer.

blahblah

a criminal justive program. and im pretty sure you need a college degree to become a police officer now.

Corky

Being a deskbound politically correct lazy sod!

It'sMe23

You can get a degree in Criminal Justice.

Stephanie C

It is always useful to have a degree! I would call the police recruitment (look it up on the internet) and discuss with them. I would think that entering into the police force with a degree would give you better promotion opportunities in the long term.

Check this site

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/

Eddie

Stay in college. The job will always be there.

foo_fighters_fan_2002

Police officers dont need any formal qualifications. But i wouldnt just not go to college. Say you change your mind. What then? Have you written to the police and been accepted yet? If not i wouldnt count your chickens just yet.

Im not sure but i think the age at which you can become a policeman is 18yrs and 1 month. So if youre not 18 yet, theres your first hurdle.

What i would do is write to your local police force, express an interest in becoming a police officer, maybe ask if it would be possible for you to do a week work shadowing. That will help you see if its really for you, plus its a good point in their eyes because it shows that you are serious and enthusiastic about it.

Talk to teachers/ careers people at college, parents etc to help you to make a more informed decision (i'm not by any means saying your decision is misinformed, i dont know how much thought and reseach has gone into it) check out www.police.uk theyve got a whole recruitment section that should tell you what you need. But until things are certain don't do anything drastic like drop out of college. Theres no reason why you cant study and investigate this career path at the same time.

Jas

yes you should still go to college. If for example, when you join the police force but don't like it you will still have your education to try something else. Besides, there are lots of different paths you can take within the force and i am sure your education will help you go long way. Good luck mate.

Leogirl0804

Criminal justice, and how about management. You don't want to be just a cop on the beat forever. The degree will open up advancement opportunities to you no matter what you choose as your career.

A True Gentleman

So you have decided to become a state sanctioned oppressor of the public. It's enough to make me despair. To have another jumped up wannabe dictator on the streets is just too much. Please think again in your career path and become someone productive to society who can inspire a new generation.

J. F.K

Hello my freind, to be honest I really do not like the Police but you are still not one yet so you are still my Brother/Sister and I will answer your question, if you want to become a dumb officer like most are join now and leave your studies and get Â£18,000 - Â£22,000 but if you want to move up the ranks quicker then stick with English Language and Critical Thinking but as others said do something with the Law or Criminalogy etc. but it is up to you Brother/Sister but if you want my advice about Police become one but do not be like most and take Law into your own hands and also make the good people come before you because that is who Police Officers should protect, but most Officers do not do that and those are the ones who I hate!

Bless.

JFK.

chocolate-drop

Criminal Justice and/or sociology.

simonavitch

Do both
College first then police.
It doesn't matter which subject since you will find it somewhere in the public you are going to protect.
Be careful though, otherwise it will effect your own life when dealing with the public.
It may be just a small percentage but it is a very busy percentage, so much so as to colour your own mind against humanity.
Best wishes and good luck.

Ronijn

Study law... dummy, Take up criminal justice. And then when you actually join the Police force, you'll start with some rank, and It'll be a whole lot better for you.

i would suggest you stay in schooling and study sociology. like others have said. life experience pays off also an education for you to fall back on something after 30 years. it's a great job if you can cope with sometimes very volatile situations

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