Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring UCLA Police Officers
Entry-level opportunities in law enforcement include ride-alongs, station tours, and explorer programs, allowing undergraduates to experience "a day in the life of a peace officer." Aspiring officers should research departments, understand "their mission, vision, and values," maintain physical and mental fitness for the rigorous academy training, and consider the career path's potential for advancement, such as transitioning "from municipality policing...to a federal level."
Entry-Level Positions, Career Exploration, Ride-alongs and Station Tours, Physical and Mental Fitness, Understanding Department Values
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
London McBride
Police Officer
UCLA Police Department
Utah State University 99'
Southern New Hampshire University; MS-Organizational Leadership
Anthropology, Sociology
Government & Public Sector
Legal
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Ride alongs and station tours can offer valuable insights into daily police work.
2. Many agencies have explorer programs that allow students to experience life as a peace officer.
3. Applicants must be 21 years old, physically fit, and mentally prepared for the demands of the job, including a basic academy and field training.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider pursuing?
If you are serious about being in this profession, you could come by for ride-alongs or station tours. Many places have explorer programs where you can get involved and see what a day in the life of a peace officer is like.
For college grads or undergrads, our station is wide open. You can come and ask to speak to me, or if you were at another agency, you could simply ask about station tours or explorer programs.
It's really a community thing here. You can talk to me, and I can give you a station tour. You can also meet officers in the area who will engage with you and tell you what you need to know to become a great peace officer.
Diving deep into understanding the area and the department you want to join is key. Understand their mission, vision, and values, and then decide if you want to pursue a ride-along or speak to officers at that specific agency. Do your homework on the place.
To be a part of this profession, you have to be 21. You can apply if you're 20 and a half and be in an academy. People thinking about it should also be physically and mentally fit.
If you make it through the basic academy, it's a mental and physical rollercoaster for six months. After that, you come to our department for another six months with the training division. Patience in this process is huge.
Many agencies have community police academies, which is a great way for community members to get involved and see the day in the life of a police officer. It's all about research and figuring out what you want for yourself in this profession.
Some people use municipality policing as a stepping stone to a federal level, taking that experience with them. Ultimately, it's about what the individual wants to accomplish within the profession.