2 answers
addi
Student
Ohio, OH
4
Questions
Asked
435 views
Training or education you would need for being in the criminal justice enforcement ?
How long would the course be? Will there be any hands on things I would have to be aware of?
2 answers
John Husband
Computer Science, Real Estate, Life
46
Answers
Boca Raton
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Addi,
From your various questions it seems like you have a deep interest in things of the mind particularly the criminal mind. I wanted to suggest you think about the FBI as a career destination. Here's a link to their website:
https://www.fbijobs.gov/
They have a student and intern program you might be interested in:
https://www.fbijobs.gov/students-and-interns
You can think of the FBI as a national police force, enforcing the laws of the US Congress as opposed to state and city/county police that enforce state and local laws.
To work for the FBI there are certain physical, educational and background requirements. You can learn more about them in the links provided above. Depending on your advantages or disadvantages you have in life, you might be able to get to the FBI right out of college or you might need to take a few steps to get there. I'm going to outline the long path here. Feel free to short cut if you can.
First of all, you have to graduate high school and stay out of trouble! FBI and local police aren't going to hire high school dropouts that are drug users. Expect a lie detector test.
You need a college degree to go to the top. You can be a police officer without one. But FBI is going to need a degree for the most part. So, plan to go to college. In college you can do ROTC, criminal psychology, pre-law etc. Take the classes that interest you and find the degree that matches not the other way around.
Join the military as an MP (military police). If you need to this will give you great experience and help pay for college. If you can go to college first, you may be able to skip the military service. But you may want it for the experience.
Leave the military after 4 years and join the local police force. Again, this will give you more experience and help pay for college if you don't have your undergrad degree at this point.
You may want to get a master's degree in some field of interest like criminal psychology.
At this point, if you have served in the military, a local police force and have a MS in criminal psychology, I'd say you are ready to apply to the FBI. If you have the resources, you might be able to skip the military and or the police force and go directly to the FBI after school. If you are able, then you can make the choice. You may like the idea of having a few jobs along the way before you end up at the FBI. It's a personal preference if you can afford it. If not, then the slower path is still a great path.
Here's another article you might like: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/617174/how-did-you-become-a-school-resource-officer
Work hard and work a little bit smart,
-John
Stay in school; stay drug free; expect a lie detector test
Go to college; take the courses you like; find a degree that fits the courses.
Join the military as an MP
Join your local police force
Join the FBI doing what you are passionate about.
From your various questions it seems like you have a deep interest in things of the mind particularly the criminal mind. I wanted to suggest you think about the FBI as a career destination. Here's a link to their website:
https://www.fbijobs.gov/
They have a student and intern program you might be interested in:
https://www.fbijobs.gov/students-and-interns
You can think of the FBI as a national police force, enforcing the laws of the US Congress as opposed to state and city/county police that enforce state and local laws.
To work for the FBI there are certain physical, educational and background requirements. You can learn more about them in the links provided above. Depending on your advantages or disadvantages you have in life, you might be able to get to the FBI right out of college or you might need to take a few steps to get there. I'm going to outline the long path here. Feel free to short cut if you can.
First of all, you have to graduate high school and stay out of trouble! FBI and local police aren't going to hire high school dropouts that are drug users. Expect a lie detector test.
You need a college degree to go to the top. You can be a police officer without one. But FBI is going to need a degree for the most part. So, plan to go to college. In college you can do ROTC, criminal psychology, pre-law etc. Take the classes that interest you and find the degree that matches not the other way around.
Join the military as an MP (military police). If you need to this will give you great experience and help pay for college. If you can go to college first, you may be able to skip the military service. But you may want it for the experience.
Leave the military after 4 years and join the local police force. Again, this will give you more experience and help pay for college if you don't have your undergrad degree at this point.
You may want to get a master's degree in some field of interest like criminal psychology.
At this point, if you have served in the military, a local police force and have a MS in criminal psychology, I'd say you are ready to apply to the FBI. If you have the resources, you might be able to skip the military and or the police force and go directly to the FBI after school. If you are able, then you can make the choice. You may like the idea of having a few jobs along the way before you end up at the FBI. It's a personal preference if you can afford it. If not, then the slower path is still a great path.
Here's another article you might like: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/617174/how-did-you-become-a-school-resource-officer
Work hard and work a little bit smart,
-John
John recommends the following next steps:
Good answer John! To this I would add, become a fitness nut. Stay in good shape - strength, endurance, flexibility. Cultivate good relationships with everyone - background checks will include neighbors, teachers, coworkers, ex's, etc. AND, should another opportunity come your way as you head down this path, at least consider it!
Kim Igleheart
Thanks Kim! I completely forgot about the background checks. Also applicable to top secret (e.g., CIA) work.
John Husband
Robert Steadman
Firearms Instructor/Retired Cop
8
Answers
Herndon, Virginia
Updated
Robert’s Answer
For city or state police, the academy is usually but not always (Some are up to a year) anywhere from 4-6 months long. M-F with an occasional Saturday. After completion of the academy, you'll be assigned to a T.O. (Training Officer) again for 4-6 months or longer depending on the department. You pass training and your probation congratulations you are now an official cop.
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