Careers in law enforcment

[Dutchman]

My son who will be a senior next year is concidering a career in criminal justice. do any of you have GOOD advice for him as far as college or military.Any one here work in this field?Thanks in advance!

[boehr]

Dutchman...I am in law enforcement, a career I wanted all my life. My father was also in law enforcement and retired as Captain from Garden City Police Department in Wayne County. I suppose it's because of my father, not from the point of encouraging me, he wanted me to be a doctor, but also not discouraging me, is the main reason I wanted law enforcement as a career. I seen the respect he had in his career not only from fellow law enforcement officers but from the majority of the public combined with catching the bad guys along with helping people is why I choose to go into this career. I have never been sorry I choose this as a career either.

As far as college, criminal justice is a fine course to take in college to assist in achieving a career in law enforcement to start. The biggest problem with criminal justice is you have a tendency to limit other options. If he is positive that law enforcement is the only thing he wants, then criminal justice is good.

I choose Conservation Officer because I wanted to combine law enforcment with working in the outdoors. I had opportunities to transfer to the State Police, option to take a job with the City of Wayne, also in Wayne County, and did work as a city officer for the City of Menominee while layed off in 1982. I am still very happy I choose Conservation Officer. For educational purposes for being a Conservation Officer, it would be my personnal recommendation to takeone of either criminal justice, wildlife biology, fisheries biology or education.

I can promise, as a police officer, no matter what department, he's not going to get rich. To want to be a good law enforcement officer and to be a good law enforcement officer, you have to do it because that's what you want to do. Some people can't do it, I could never do a lot of careers that a lot of other people do and enjoy more than anything either. You have to want whatever you choose to be happy and successful.

Military is good too. After high school and starting my degree in criminal justice, I did join the Navy for four years. At that time I could not get into a rate of Shore Patrol or Master-At-Arms but I did do both of those duties while in the Navy for duty status, even though my official rate was Gunner's Mate. There are branches of the service that one can go into something like military police as a position now I suspect, maybe even the Navy at the present time. Military service still looks good on a application but we are getting more and more to the point of needing a college degree than we once were, to open that door.

If you have any particular questions feel free to ask or e-mail me.

[watercop19]

I am a criminal justice student at ferris state univ in big rapids. This is the best school if he is interested in the law enforcement tract. When you graduate, you will be certified through Michigan (MCOLES) academy. This is a very important because with some colleges they don't certifiy you and you have to put yourself through a local academy. Up here you go through the academy during your 3rd year and a week into the summer. There are many hands on and excellent profs and faculty. I am also a part time deputy for oakland county and work for the ferris police department. My dad is a det. in bloomfield and I have always wanted to be a cop. I love meeting new people everyday and making a difference even if its a small one. If he is not positive about law inforcment maybe busisness or accounting. That is what federal agencies are looking for anyways and eaiser to transfer credits to a law enforcement tract. Good luck to your son in his choice feel free to email me with any questions

[watercop19]

email:cutright658@yahoo.com

[Eastern Yooper]

I graduated from Lake Superior State University, which also has an excellant Criminal Justice program that includes MLEOTC certification.

Many of my friends are police officers: Most work for city and county agencies, a few are in the State Police, and a couple I know have gone to work for the feds.

Myself, I chose a career in corrections. Corrections is not for everyone, but neither is being a police officer. I make $45K/year, which is more money than alot of my friends who are city and county officers. There are also prisons in every area of the state so one can choose where he/she wants to live. I can take a full retirement at age 51; my benefits are excellent, and the promotional opportunities are endless for those who have college degrees.

Its something to think about.

email me at: cvpinbarboo@webtv.net

[Tahquamenon]

Dutchman I first must commend your son for wanting to enter this field. I have been a police officer in Monroe Mi for 10 years. I have loved most every day of my career and hated other with a passion but would not give it up for the world. As boehr said this is not the career to enter is he want to be rich or have lots of friends. He will learn that you are a officer 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. As much as you wish not to, you will always think with that copper mind. He will be called things like 5 0 (Hawaii 50), pig and po po as he shops with his family in a local store. He will give it is heart and soul and not be commended or praised. He will do all he can to help a person only to have that person call his supervisor and complian about the one thing he did wrong but then he will do one little thing that nobody will see but him and the reason he became a cop with fill his heart and he will know that he took up one of most honarable and fullfilling professions.

I wish him luck!!!

Now the nitty gritty. Have him try it out in some way. Contact his local law enforcement agencies and do a civilian ride along. Join a reserve or cadet progam that will allow him to ride along with an officer. He will be uniformed and will be able to better experience what really goes on on the front lines. The State of Michigan has done away with Michigan Law Enforcment Officers Training Council (MLEOTC) and has renamed if MCOLE Michigan Council on Law Enforcement. I hear that this may dissolved allowing it easier for some to enter the ranks.

Which ever way he decides to go have him check out all the angles. There are lots of law enforcements jobs right now in Michigan.

If he have any other questions have him e-mail me direct. polywog8@yahoo.com

[Dutchman]

WOW! thanks for the great responses! It's guy's like you that make this site the best.As soon as my son gets a chance I will have him read these.Since we only live 25 miles from Ferris, it was high on my list already.Thanks again!

[LabGuy]

You should also determine which Department he might be thinking of joining.

The Michigan State Police for example have their own academy. Even if an applicant is MCOLES certified he/she must still attend their school, which also results in MCOLES certification.

This could avoid a duplication of classes!

Good Luck to him!

------------------
Cliff Cushard
Cushard's Kennel