Archive for February, 2012

Feb 1227

Inside Police Training: Vehicle Operations

One skill (among many!) that is essential for law enforcement officers is the ability safely operate a motor vehicle. Driving — sounds simple enough, right?  Indeed, but cops must be proficient behind the wheel in a variety of situations.  Safety and presence of mind are key, particularly in times of stress.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 97% of training academies offer instruction in vehicle operations, with a median of 40 hours of instruction.  That’s a lot of drive time!

As a cadet, you will learn how to accelerate, brake, turn, and steer in a number of demanding driving scenarios.  Hours of practice take place in a controlled environment so when you hit the streets, you’re well prepared for everything from directed patrols to high speed pursuits.

Here’s a look inside training with the Edmond, Oklahoma, Police Department:

 

More from the Milwaukee Police Department:

 

Feb 1221

Get Hired as a Security Guard

Security services personnel are an important component of public safety. Experience in this field can be a great gateway to sworn law enforcement or a rewarding career in itself. Read more from guest blogger, Allison Brenner of the Professional Career Development Institute.

It goes without saying that people in security careers are vital to the safety and order of everyday life.  But because these types of jobs, from airport security to store detectives, are so important, they aren’t necessarily the easiest to get.  Lots of time, training, and work goes into getting those positions.  Even so, there are some qualities and actions that can help you in working toward a career in security.

  1. Customer service skills are an important thing to demonstrate to your future employer.  As a security officer, you will be dealing with a variety of people and if necessary, impacting their lives.
  2. Be able to show that you have all of your required paperwork and training completed.  In some states, it is required a security guard complete a certain number of hours of training before they can even apply for a position. Sometimes this training is done in a security services school whereas others can just be done at a police academy. Other States require that a certain amount of paperwork be finished too, such as fingerprint scans and other certifications.
  3. List references you know will be supportive of you.  Write down former bosses and coworkers who you have worked well with and gotten along with as your references.  Also, make sure you tell these people you wrote them down so if the new company calls, your references aren’t blindsided.
  4. Go into the interview knowing what the job entails and what would be expected of you.  The more prepared you are the more you will be able to tell the employer that you know you can do that job.
  5. Do your research into what division of security careers you want to enter.  Remember, not all security jobs are the same so some require more schooling or training than others.  Also, more goes into becoming an armed guard due to the special responsibilities that go into carrying a weapon.

As Uncle Ben said in the Spiderman series, “with great power comes great responsibility,” and while getting a job in security services is challenging, it is a rewarding and important position.  Following these tips, as well as your own knowledge and determination will help you to succeed.

About the Author:

Allison Brenner
Copywriter
Professional Career Development Institute (PCDI)
Norcross, GA
Interested in our security services school? Call 1-888-231-6247
Website: http://www.pcdi.edu/career-courses/security-services-school/

Feb 1213

It’s Okay to be Gay in Law Enforcement. No, really!

The military isn’t the only profession with growing acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups.  Now more than ever law enforcement agencies look to fill their ranks with a diverse officer corps that reflects the population served. Today, diversity goes beyond gender and race to encompass other minority groups, including the LGBT community.

Here’s the bottom line:  Law enforcement requires a unique blend of skills and characteristics, from empathy and intelligence to courage and decisiveness.  These are traits anyone can bring to the table regardless of sexual orientation.  Modern law enforcement is a field that respects and encourages individuality. Being a member of a minority group will not limit your ability to become a law enforcement officer or your chances of career success. Law enforcement is a field where diversity is supported and encouraged.

Consider the following as proof:

  • Friday the San Francisco Police Department released this video featuring more than a dozen gay and lesbian officers and civilian employees, each offering words of encouragement and support to LGBT youth.  The video is part of the “It Gets Better” campaign to end bullying of LGBT youth. Cheers to SFPD for being the first police agency to contribute a video to the project!

 

 

  • While many larger departments have special liaison units that work directly in LGBT communities to investigate and prevent hate crimes, an LGBT officer’s career is not limited to service within these units.  Take for example, Brice, who shares his experience as gay detective and SWAT team member in south Florida. This video is from the You Can Be Anything project, a career exploration website for LGBT youth with testimonials from professionals in a variety of fields, including public safety.

 

 

For more on diversity and law enforcement, including links to support organizations, visit our website.