Police Officer leading to other jobs

[Jason]

Hi all ... I am a third year college student at UVa.  What I really want to do with my life is to become an FBI agent, its something I want with a passion.  Now, as you all may or may not know, the minimum age for that is 25 and after graduating college you have to work for 3 years anyway before you apply.  So what I have been thinking about is what is the best way to prepare myself for the grueling application process and hopefully the academy after that.  And basically it seems to me that becoming a cop would be a great way to do that.  The police application and academy are certainly going to challenge me, and not only would being a cop be great experience I think, it would also be a very rewarding job and I would be upholding the same ideals of justice and honor that I would (hopefully) do in the FBI.  I just kind of wanted to hear some feedback from you guys who are actually cops think of this ... good thing?  bad thing?  Would it help me and do think that it is a good idea?  I know that its tough as hell to get into the FBI and so I think that if I was cut then I think being a cop would be a good job as well.  Anyways, feedback is appreciated

[Charlie]

Jason--I am not real familiar with the FBI's hiring process or what the specifically look for in an applicant to get on board with the Bureau. One thing that I have heard consistently is they like someone to have a degree in Accounting. ;D

As for whether or not someone having previous experience as a police officer makes any difference in the hiring process, I really don't know but would bet that this too might be something they would prefer as well. I have seen and heard of several people who were once, for example, municipal cops go to work for a federal law enforcement agency after getting a few years of experience under their belt. In fact, I think some law enforcement branches do require previous experience for certain periods of time. ;D

I think you ought to maybe do a little more research, possibly throught the FBI's web site, personal contact with an FBI agent or someone else who maybe knowledgable about what the FBI looks for in an applicant. This might help you better plan and decide how you want to best approach this profession.

I too have heard that the FBI is very difficult to get on board with. And again, I am uncertain as to what sort of quailites, education or characteristics they specifically look for or prefer in an applicant. But, I am sure if you ask around, you ought to find some answers to your questions. Perhaps some of the other folks who frequent this site can help better than I can.

Nevertheless, best of luck and try and be patient. Looks like you have a lot that lies ahead of you before you achieve your goal. 8)

Charlie

[Jay]

Jason

What is your major in school?

[[e-mail]]

Thanks for the reply Charlie, I have attempted to make contact with FBI personell to ask them similar questions, I am just waiting for a response back.  My major is Economics.

['Guest']

Stick to what you want-FBI and don't waste time trying the police officer aspect! I don't usually come off this hard, but from my own experiences, being a street cop and being a fee-bee are like comparing apples and oranges- bothe have certain investigatory responsiblities, but street cops do what is called general policing(issuance of traffic citations, accident investigations,geographical patrol, and HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE PROBABLE CAUSE ARRESTS, while fed agents need a warrant to make arrests- if you go through the backgrounds , academy training , and don't focus on what being a police officer is, then you've wasted your time- and as far as investigations are concerned I don't know a single Detective with my Dept. or any other local dept. that would trade his  Detective badge for the FBIs!!!The FBI is a great agency for crime analysis,tracking domestic/foreign criminals,and for its thorough investigative skills, but I guarantee this-you'll see more felony arrests and develop as equal invesigative skills from jockeying a blk and wht in a moderate or major city  than you will as an agent with the FBI( my preference to FEDS runs with the "blue collar" guys at DEA and U.S. Marshals).Sadly , Im' not impressed with agents field tactics during arrests( as if officer safety and coming home alive is "actually important" to them ) and I 've seen too many instances of racial profiling and harassment committed by them( they hang local agencies out to dry for such things!!!).If you look into most major municipal or state agencies you'll find the police officer salary(particularly here in Calif) and benefits as comparable or even in some cases surpassing FBIs, and find just as many career opportunities within the depts.If you intend on making the FBI your future,stay in contact with recruiters, take a trip to visit their headquarters in D.C. or the academy in Quantico ,VA (if possible), and look for a job in book keeping/accounting, or forensics/crime scene investigations( I don't know of a police dept. that doesn't need a crime scene tech)- those two things will strengthen your recruitment chances with J.Edgars' boys......just my 2 ,er,50 cents worth..............