A few questions from the new kid...

[Tommy]

Greetings.  I'm very pleased to have found this site.  Hopefully it can help me answer a few questions I've been asking myself.  I'm enrolled in a Citizen's Police Academy and I've discovered a great desire to try out a new career option.  I'm fairly happy in my current job, and at least committed to seeing it through until the end of this academic year (out of loyalty to my staff and co-workers).  However, I am seriously interested in law enforcement and a few opportnities have presented themselves to apply for the spring of 2001.  So here go my question...

1.  Am I not allowing myself enough time to properly apply?  For instance, am I being too presumtuous in thinking that, even if I made it a priority, I can do this in such a short period of time?  Physically alone, I will need to make some improvements.  <br>
2.  Does being a female diminish my chances?  Are there challenges I should be expecting?

3.  I've heard slanderous comments about minority preference as well.  Any feedback on this?

4.  What is "binnocular" vision?  I have horrible eye sight, but I can get it corrected to 20/20 with contacts.  Is that good enough?

Okay, I will stop here for now.  I'm new to this, but I want to do all I can to meet this challenge.  I will appreciate any and all feedback.       <br>

[JimCMR]

Tommy;  To answer a few of your questions, being a minority female can be an advantage.  Either one can be an advantage as departments are trying to diversify their staff.

You didn't mention your age, but usually after 35, things get tougher.

Look up the physical requirements for the department where you are planning to apply, and work toward meeting them.

Binocular vision, as far as i know is being able to see out of both eyes.  If vision is correctable to 20/20, that is usually OK.

If you haven't had experience with firearms, take some shooting classes, it would be hell to wash out of the academy because you can't shoot, when you are passing everything else, this has happened in many cases.

In many cases it takes a year or two to get hired, so the sooner you start the better.  The shortest hiring cycle is usually 3 to 4 months.

I hope this helps.

Good Luck.              JimCMR

[Charlie]

Tommy--Fact is, being a minority female is often a very big advantage in your favor in this day and age. A lot of agencies often aggressively recruit minority/female applicants in order to try and better diversify their ranks. Broadly speaking and depending on the circumstances, I would say there can sometimes be a negative stigma attached to the common perception that one is hired primarily because of their ethnic background and gender. I think this is often an unfortunate "label" someone can find themselves dealing with but I think it is also something that is sometimes unavoidable.

Female recruits, in my view, are just as capabel as their male counter parts. At some agencies, who are still emerging from the "dark ages," a female officer may have to endure more personal challenges in order to measure up or fit in with the rest of the rank and file officers. Is it right? Is it necessary? is it fair? Most likely this sort of "baptism" isn't necessarily right. But realisitically, this is sometimes a reality depending upon where you go. Most everyone sort of goes through a "proving themselves stage" before they are fully accepted among their peers. Reality is females, depending on the agency, may be looked at a little more critically by their peers.

I think your eyesight won't be a problem since it is correctable.

Being a female LE officer can be quite a challenge. Obviously I am not a female but female often have to endure and overcome a varity of things or situations that males will most likely never have to deal with. Most agencies welcome female/minority applicants. If you have an interest in the profession, by all means, put your name in the hat and go for it!  

No matter what you decide, best of luck!

Charlie

[Tommy]

Gentlemen,

Thank you both for your responses thus far.  I appreciate your feedback and encouragement.  I was fairly sure I was going to proceed regardless, but now I'm simply proceeding with a little more optimism.

I have one other question.  What are the complications of applying in a city that's not your own?  For instance, my own city may be recruiting in the near future, and I will keep that in mind.  However, in the meantime, another city about 65 miles out is also accepting applications.  Even though I am not familiar with the area, is it still possible to be considered?

Thanks again.

[Drakor]

    I have to agree with Charlie and Jim. Our local police departments have radio ad's that encourage women and minorities to apply. My feeling is no matter what your background as long as you pull your weight your ok in my book. All departments want 20/20 vision or correctable to 20/20.
    I know that the city police department here does a 4 day processing for all out of state applicants. Good luck Keep us posted.

[JimCMR]

Tommy;

Apply anywhere you want, it used to be that you had to be a resident, but no more in most cases.

I have had applicants from all over the state, and even some out of state.

JimCMR