"Old" LEO Rookies?

[Guest RemedyCNC]

OK, opinions wanted. I am 42, technically unemployed, and at a crossroads in my life. I have, for some time, had somewhat of a desire to enter a law enforcement career. So, here is my question:

At 42, do I stand a chance of getting into a police academy and ultimately getting hired? I have no military background. I am 5'11" and about 145lbs, not a couch potato but no tri-athlete.

Just curious to hear back from some of the law enforcement community as to if I stand a snowballs chance.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

If everything else is in order, your age won't be that big of deal (except for Federal LE).

[DaveTN]

The obvious concern would be your age. The department I was on has a cut off of 35 years of age. But I don’t see a limit on Metro’s website.

Our physical agility test got rid of a bunch of the applicants. It’s tough for a 20 something year old to pass it. But that would depend on the department; obviously some departments don’t have much of a physical test; if any.

Most PD’s post their requirements on the web; take a look. Also, it appears to work a little differently in Tennessee, but in most states you have to get accepted for a job, then go to the academy; not the other way around.

Good Luck

[Smith]

When I attended session 59 there were quite a few guys over the age of 35. Sgt. Hickman even commented that in the last session they had a guy near 50 that was one of their best cadets. Of course he was a marathon runner before! There was another guy in his early 40's that lost 40 something lbs and was an excellent cadet as well. If you are really driven and everything else lines up it won't be that big of a deal.

[Guest db99wj]

Go for it. What's the worse that could happen, you are in the same situation you are currently.

[Guest eyebedam]

Give it a shot. I test with metro the 24 of this month. I hope it goes well. Worst that can happen is they say no.

[Reservoir Dog]

I don't feel your age will be an issue. From what I have seen, most state and local agencies do not have an age cutoff, although some do. You need to research any agency you are interested in to see if they have an age restriction.

As Todd pointed out, you are already over the age limit for Federal LE jobs.

Good luck!

[Guest sling]

As long as you can run.

[Guest canynracer]

Go for it!!!!

and GOOD LUCK man!! I admire your decision

[Guest Astra900]

You won't know unless you go:koolaid:

[poak]

Give it a shot. I test with metro the 24 of this month. I hope it goes well. Worst that can happen is they say no.

How long did it take for you to get assigned a date for the civil service test?

I've got an app in myself.

[GLOCKMEISTER]

i know of a close to 50 year old that went thru metro's academy a few years back.

[Guest RemedyCNC]

Thanks for the positive feedback. I was hoping I wouldn't get any replies like "Dude, are you nuts!"

[Guest canynracer]

well you ARE nuts dude...but not cause of this...LMAO...

[Smith]

How long did it take for you to get assigned a date for the civil service test?

I've got an app in myself.

A few weeks. They usually run the test twice a month unless they are slowing the hiring in which case they test once a month.

The whole process will take 12 mo. 9 if you get lucky (app to Academy start). I, by some mysterious means, got through in 4, but every one in HR looked at me funny when I said that.

Edited January 8, 2009 by Smith

[poak]

A few weeks. They usually run the test twice a month unless they are slowing the hiring in which case they test once a month.

The whole process will take 12 mo. 9 if you get lucky (app to Academy start). I, by some mysterious means, got through in 4, but every one in HR looked at me funny when I said that.

Really? So, 9-12 to take the civil service test, then another 9-12 to go to the academy?

[Smith]

Really? So, 9-12 to take the civil service test, then another 9-12 to go to the academy?

Nah, 2-4 weeks to get scheduled for the test then then 9-12 mos. to get through the whole process.

[poak]

Nah, 2-4 weeks to get scheduled for the test then then 9-12 mos. to get through the whole process.

Cool, thats what I was hoping you meant.

Did you score pretty high on your Civil Service test? I've heard they really speed up the process if you score outstanding on the test combined w/ your physical test.

[Smith]

Cool, thats what I was hoping you meant.

Did you score pretty high on your Civil Service test? I've heard they really speed up the process if you score outstanding on the test combined w/ your physical test.

You get ranked according to your score. So, yes, there is a little more expediency if you score higher but not much.

[poak]

You get ranked according to your score. So, yes, there is a little more expediency if you score higher but not much.

I see.

I'll tell you one thing, I wish I had paid more attention in Spanish class all those years ago...

[DaveTN]

You get ranked according to your score. So, yes, there is a little more expediency if you score higher but not much.

How does Metro work that?

On our department your written test combined with the Physical Agility test was 50% of your total score and then the oral board was the other 50%. The written test was pretty much a joke, the Physical Agility test got rid of a bunch, and then the oral boards were where they picked who they wanted.

You went on a list based on your final score and they hired from that list as positions came open. The list was good for two years or until everyone on it was hired; then they started over.

[Smith]

How does Metro work that?

On our department your written test combined with the Physical Agility test was 50% of your total score and then the oral board was the other 50%. The written test was pretty much a joke, the Physical Agility test got rid of a bunch, and then the oral boards were where they picked who they wanted.

You went on a list based on your final score and they hired from that list as positions came open. The list was good for two years or until everyone on it was hired; then they started over.

The written test (civil service test) is scored like any school test 1-100% It is then assigned a number 1-5 based on that score. The agility test is timed and then assigned a number 1-5 based. They total the two and you are ranked 1-10. You have to score a combined of at least 6 to move on IIRC. It is the same thing as ranking GPA in high school.

The boards/panel reviews are the last thing they will do before hiring and you will never see those people. They review the files and each person and thumb up/down the candidate. If everyone thumbs up your good, one down your out. All that after 12 mo.

Edited January 9, 2009 by Smith

[DaveTN]

The boards/panel reviews are the last thing they will do before hiring and you will never see those people. They review the files and each person and thumb up/down the candidate. If everyone thumbs up your good, one down your out. All that after 12 mo.

You don’t go before a live board?

[Smith]

You don’t go before a live board?

Not with Metro.You will interview with a couple of retired detectives after the written/agility test but that is the last interaction you will have with PD staff. The rest are psych, health, psych, and psych again.

It is completely different with other departments. I was hired on with Metro Park PD and even though they are under Metro it was completely different. I interviewed with them and then had the physical and one psych test. That was it. Went much faster!

[Guest eyebedam]

How long did it take for you to get assigned a date for the civil service test?

I've got an app in myself.

It took a couple of months before I got the date. I turned a app in in sept my background stuff came back in November & there wasnt a civil service test in Dec. Below is a copy & paste from Metros site.

To be scheduled for a Civil Service Test date, you must submit your on-line application (link at bottom of page), then send in your supporting documentation within 10 working days.Your application and supporting documentation is reviewed and if you meet the hiring qualifications, you will receive a civil service test date within 35 - 45 days.

Edited January 9, 2009 by eyebedam