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if i go to college and finish it and then i go to police academy and become a cop,am i going to be pid more since i finished college?
because i was told i should finish college and then become a cop and i know that sometimes people who finish college and then get a job they get paid more since they have a title and are valued more
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4 answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Nelson !
I have some insight to contribute to help you have an outlook on this that may help in expanding your thoughts on your career. It really applies to most careers as you can't really generalize the future or where your career will take you. I support the plan to get a college degree for your chosen field, but nothing is guaranteed just because you have a college degree.
What I really mean is that a college path can absolutely prepare you for police work, but college is a lot more than the specific career. The education at college is the experience, and yes, you get a degree which helps in unknown and known ways, but it's the experience that counts. One does not receive a title when they obtain their degree nor are they necessarily valued more. You will see and learn this through life experience. When you go the college route you learn great skills to bring to a career: discipline, organizational skills, written, verbal and presentational skills, analytical and critical thinking and assessment skills. You practice these in college so it's a boost with any career.
College also introduces you to a vast array of people that have many different backgrounds and ways of thinking and this aspect of college will be very important also for you as a police officer. It's a unique experience that you may not get otherwise.
As far as salary while having a college degree, this too doesn't necessarily mean that if you have a college degree you would necessarily get paid more than those who do not have a degree. You'll get paid whatever your employer offers as a salary and it's related to the specific position. Salary may also depend on if you're employed by a major city, suburb or rural employer. It's based on how much funding your employer has and their budget, so it has very little to do with your going to college. This can be true for many careers.
My advice is to definitely go to college. As of this year, the San Francisco Police Department is requiring that applicants have completed a policing degree program and some units will require a college degree. You will be in the forefront if you get your Associates or Bachelors Degree. The major for this in college is usually called Administration of Justice or Criminal Justice. This is a cool major, too and you will learn ballistics, have guest speakers that will really familiarize you with police work. Go for it ! I advise going for the Bachelors Degree. A friend of mine obtained his Bachelors Degree and he obtained quite a nice position when he first applied to the New York City Police Department. The beginning of your career very well may be enhanced by a college degree, but the college experience is key.
Best wishes in all you do !
I have some insight to contribute to help you have an outlook on this that may help in expanding your thoughts on your career. It really applies to most careers as you can't really generalize the future or where your career will take you. I support the plan to get a college degree for your chosen field, but nothing is guaranteed just because you have a college degree.
What I really mean is that a college path can absolutely prepare you for police work, but college is a lot more than the specific career. The education at college is the experience, and yes, you get a degree which helps in unknown and known ways, but it's the experience that counts. One does not receive a title when they obtain their degree nor are they necessarily valued more. You will see and learn this through life experience. When you go the college route you learn great skills to bring to a career: discipline, organizational skills, written, verbal and presentational skills, analytical and critical thinking and assessment skills. You practice these in college so it's a boost with any career.
College also introduces you to a vast array of people that have many different backgrounds and ways of thinking and this aspect of college will be very important also for you as a police officer. It's a unique experience that you may not get otherwise.
As far as salary while having a college degree, this too doesn't necessarily mean that if you have a college degree you would necessarily get paid more than those who do not have a degree. You'll get paid whatever your employer offers as a salary and it's related to the specific position. Salary may also depend on if you're employed by a major city, suburb or rural employer. It's based on how much funding your employer has and their budget, so it has very little to do with your going to college. This can be true for many careers.
My advice is to definitely go to college. As of this year, the San Francisco Police Department is requiring that applicants have completed a policing degree program and some units will require a college degree. You will be in the forefront if you get your Associates or Bachelors Degree. The major for this in college is usually called Administration of Justice or Criminal Justice. This is a cool major, too and you will learn ballistics, have guest speakers that will really familiarize you with police work. Go for it ! I advise going for the Bachelors Degree. A friend of mine obtained his Bachelors Degree and he obtained quite a nice position when he first applied to the New York City Police Department. The beginning of your career very well may be enhanced by a college degree, but the college experience is key.
Best wishes in all you do !
insightful response Michelle, as always!
Kim Igleheart
Thank you so much, Kim - you are a gem !
Michelle M.
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Nelson,
Some departments offer higher pay for college degrees, and, some don't. I think the best approach on this is to get an Associate's degree, since many departments are now requiring that. (some don't) . Then find a job with a department that offers both higher pay for college and tuition reimbursement. They don't normally pay the entire cost of school, but, it sure helps! Use that tuition reimbursement assistance to get your bachelor's degree.
It's good that you recognize the importance of the value of the fringe benefits package, which can vary greatly from department to department. Other things included in fringe benefits"
Health Insurance
Disability Insurance
Pension Plans - how much they contribute can vary greatly.
Tuition Assistance
Degree Pay
Certification Pay
Specialty Pays: K9, SWAT, etc
Bilingual Pay
Shift Differential for working later hours
Holiday Pay
Overtime Pay
Court Pay
Good luck to you!
Some departments offer higher pay for college degrees, and, some don't. I think the best approach on this is to get an Associate's degree, since many departments are now requiring that. (some don't) . Then find a job with a department that offers both higher pay for college and tuition reimbursement. They don't normally pay the entire cost of school, but, it sure helps! Use that tuition reimbursement assistance to get your bachelor's degree.
It's good that you recognize the importance of the value of the fringe benefits package, which can vary greatly from department to department. Other things included in fringe benefits"
Health Insurance
Disability Insurance
Pension Plans - how much they contribute can vary greatly.
Tuition Assistance
Degree Pay
Certification Pay
Specialty Pays: K9, SWAT, etc
Bilingual Pay
Shift Differential for working later hours
Holiday Pay
Overtime Pay
Court Pay
Good luck to you!
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Nelsen,
I'm going to try to keep this short. It depends. Some departments require at least 60 credit hours, some dont require any to be hired. I'm not aware of any departments that pay more for a degree. That being said, I would highly recommend getting a bachelors degree at some point. Some departments will reimburse you for college courses if you maintain a certain GPA. So, once hired, you could get a degree at little or no cost to you.
Why get a degree? Two main reasons. First, you can use it once you retire to teach at an academy or some colleges, or just use itto start another career. Second, it will help with getting hired and promotions. We always look at well educated officers as more dedicated and diverse. So, a degree can definitely be beneficial to you down the road.
Guess this wasnt as short an answer as I thought it would be.
Best of luck!
Kevin Czora
I'm going to try to keep this short. It depends. Some departments require at least 60 credit hours, some dont require any to be hired. I'm not aware of any departments that pay more for a degree. That being said, I would highly recommend getting a bachelors degree at some point. Some departments will reimburse you for college courses if you maintain a certain GPA. So, once hired, you could get a degree at little or no cost to you.
Why get a degree? Two main reasons. First, you can use it once you retire to teach at an academy or some colleges, or just use itto start another career. Second, it will help with getting hired and promotions. We always look at well educated officers as more dedicated and diverse. So, a degree can definitely be beneficial to you down the road.
Guess this wasnt as short an answer as I thought it would be.
Best of luck!
Kevin Czora
Wow, that pretty much shows the vast differences regionally. Degree pay and/or certification pay are very common in Texas. Thanks for responding to the question!
Kim Igleheart
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Nelson,
Definitely! Going to college before becoming a police officer can be a smart move. Many departments offer higher pay to officers with degrees because they bring valuable skills, like problem-solving, and more perspectives. A degree can also bring more career options and advancement opportunities, like specialized roles in criminal justice or community outreach. While it's not always required, having a degree can definitely give you a boost in your law enforcement career. Plus, you'll gain critical thinking and communication skills that are useful in any job!
Definitely! Going to college before becoming a police officer can be a smart move. Many departments offer higher pay to officers with degrees because they bring valuable skills, like problem-solving, and more perspectives. A degree can also bring more career options and advancement opportunities, like specialized roles in criminal justice or community outreach. While it's not always required, having a degree can definitely give you a boost in your law enforcement career. Plus, you'll gain critical thinking and communication skills that are useful in any job!