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I started California Dept. of Corrections at 38. No military or LE background. I had a great experience and had great partners.
CDCR are the true heroes in California LE as far as I’m concerned (ex cop; East L.A. area)
I entered the Rio Hondo Police Academy at 34 and was hired at 35 with the Metropolitan State Hospital Police Department and I am about to retire. I had no prior Military experience. I enjoyed my career that had many challenges. I was a Sergeant for 8 years a Detective for 2 years and a Police Officer for 13.
Started at 41, and it’s been great. No prior LE or military. Would’ve started much earlier in life, if I could have.
There was a guy that was 50 in my academy and a cancer survivor. Talk about someone really wanting to be a cop.
That was in 1987 and times were different. There’s no way I’d recommend this job to anyone now. The retirements are screwed and the benefits ain’t what they used to be. Unless you find a really good department that is known for taking care of its people. Good luck with that.
Agreed. It’s not worth it anymore.
I joined Baltimore police department at age 35. I retired a few years ago. I retired as a child abuse detective. I loved what I did. But, let’s be honest policing is not what it use to be. I survived the Baltimore riots of 2015. I knew then that I needed to plan on my retirement.
I entered the police academy at 37, and got hired at 38. It's not the most common, but it's certainly doable and I've seen others do it as well.
My friend started out around 35. You can definitely get into law enforcement but also take note that you'd least likely to be promoted to a higher rank just as in the case of my friend who is currently a patrol officer in Florida.
..and there’s nothing wrong with being a line guy with greys.. you’re still an important cog in the machine.
I got in when I was 34. My advice is to only apply to departments that will sponsor you to go to the academy, meaning you’re guaranteed a job at the end. I did not do that, put myself through, and have still not secured a full time police job 10 years later. I work part time, but it’s really difficult. I had 911 dispatch experience.
38 is still young. You will do great as long as you're up for the work. Go for it
I started when I was 34 with no prior LE or military experience. I joined a great department with many officers who started earlier. My best friends and colleagues with the folks who were my age. It was a great experience!
26 when I graduated the reserve academy at Los Angeles Co Sheriffs in Whittier (98-99 timeframe) unfortunately I was late in the game with no mil., corrections, or cadet experience, and it led to me getting out after four yrs to try and pursue the federal LE level- I found out most GS level work had age limits due to mandatory retirement with minimum 20 yrs service to get fed retirement benefits; long story short, I would of benefited not being so old by the time I got hired on, and I should of taken corrections or detentions positions to gain more experience rather than wanting patrol so early on. Being related to and family in LE would of helped as well- a lot of nepotism in LE favored over merit hard work. Reality.