Jobs in tech?

[blueline123]

How do I get a job in a law enforcement agency that handles the tech aspect to the department. Like the MDT's, IT, Video, Drones, Cell Phones, Photography Etc. Do bigger departments have the 'tech guy'.

My experience

Almost 10 years road experience (police)
2 year computer science degree
4 year criminal justice degree
Extensive hardware and software knowledge on computers (Mac OSX, Windows OS)
Cell phone investigations (cell brite, etc.)

[Monty Ealerman]

It depends on the specifics --
maybe you could say a bit more about your background and what you're seeking --
the "tech field in law enforcement" is quite broad

[BiteThePullet]

How the heck do you get into the tech field in law enforcement? I have a background in both and just looking for advice on how to move in that direction.?

What is this entail?

[1035FAD]

What is this entail?

Oh there's a lot of avenues with regard to tech stuff...

CAD system, Records/ARS, servers, IT security, MDCs, acquiring and ordering new computers, phone systems... Anything and everything you could think of really that has to do with the computers, hardware, software, programs, etc that PDs use. Very broad topic and usually a lucrative spot. Good IT specialists are worth their weight in gold.

But as far as I know, the only way is to look for job announcements just like an officer position. The problem lies in the fact that it is not as widely broadcast and the actual number of openings is usually quite small.

[Sierra259]

At the three agencies I've worked at, IT stuff has been handled differently in each one. At the first (large police agency, 600+ sworn) the city had a special IT department called "Public Safety IT" that handled IT for police/fire. The second (large county police, 400+ sworn) we had an IT firm running the show. At the third place I've worked (rural sheriff's office, 50+ sworn) we use the county's IT department who has one or two techs that are trained in our software/hardware needs.

I can guarantee one of these agencies is going to be much easier to get into as an IT person.

[blueline123]

Looking for pretty much any avenue with someone with a good bit of hardware background. I have hardware, minimal networking, web design, social media, a wide variety of skills just looking for an avenue to do law enforcement / tech job.

I would love a job in equipment technology, installing, setups, etc. Vehicle technology really anything like that.

[asullivan]

Looking for pretty much any avenue with someone with a good bit of hardware background. I have hardware, minimal networking, web design, social media, a wide variety of skills just looking for an avenue to do law enforcement / tech job.

I would love a job in equipment technology, installing, setups, etc. Vehicle technology really anything like that.

As Monty inquired, could you be more specific on your BG?

Today "tech" experience is like say'in "I have life experience"..way, way to broad..

IOW the Tech pie has dozens if not hundreds of sub cats..Just like the term science or scientist..My lord..

Lemmie give ya' a zample.....A "tech" could be a peep who takes a box and fixes it down to the component level not knowing or caring, where the box is located in a system..

OR

A "tech" could be a peep that slams boxes in 19 inch racks, plugs them in, and could not troubleshoot a component to save his life..

SEE what we all mean????

When you say "hardware" what tha' hell does that mean?

When I think of "hardware" I generally think of physical components like FETS, transistors, L's, C's and r's..

Or it could mean sitt'in on your can all day soldering all kinds of connectors...<= See what I mean??

Before anybody here can respond intelligently to your inquiry we need to know what tha' hell you mean by hardware ....

I would love a job in equipment technology, installing, setups, etc. Vehicle technology really anything like that.

I have NEVER heard of "equipment tech"....

Do you mean MDTs, radios, ant's, Tx lines, RF connectors etc in PSRS services???

IF YOU DO..then keep on reading...

You are describing communication(s) technology..To be a good all around comm tech, it would behove you to understand discrete electronic theory, RF propagation, Tx lines, Heavy analog and digi concepts, etc..

Also, anybody with a general class radiotelephone operators license are like GOLD, IT peeps OTOH have glutted tha' work pool as of lately..

IT is always a' change'in whilst basic (as in true electronics), never really changes cuzz its predicated on physical and quantum laws and theory..

GET it???

Again, I see it on a almost daily basis where the term "tech" or "technician" really means programmer/code writer, etc..They could not design and build a RF amplifier or trouble shoot a VHF/UHF transceiver to save thar' bloody butts..


Take me fer' instance..I cannot program or do tha' IT ta' save my life..but I taught and worked in the "tech" field for damn near ever..

So what tha' F am I????

Oh there's a lot of avenues with regard to tech stuff...

CAD system, Records/ARS, servers, IT security, MDCs, acquiring and ordering new computers, phone systems... Anything and everything you could think of really that has to do with the computers, hardware, software, programs, etc that PDs use. Very broad topic and usually a lucrative spot. Good IT specialists are worth their weight in gold.

But as far as I know, the only way is to look for job announcements just like an officer position. The problem lies in the fact that it is not as widely broadcast and the actual number of openings is usually quite small.

Here is a perfect example of what I was blabb'in about...Sire 103FAD started to list (His first mistake) a bunch of jobs..but he left out 3/4 of tha' pie, because the list would go on damn near forever!!!

Everybody does that, depending on their perspective..

How the heck do you get into the tech field in law enforcement? I have a background in both and just looking for advice on how to move in that direction.?

Again, you tell us ABSOLUTELY NOTHING regarding your "tech Background"..NOTHING!!!


Lets put it thissa' way..

If you do not understand ohms law and do not know the colour code, you sure tha' hell ain't no "tech"!!


FYI,

I have way over 30 yrs global 'sperience in all sorts of tech/RF/comm/ stuffy plus +15 years of Grad/Pre grad. lecture/lab 'sperience....



Hint: First thing, if you do not have that federal ticket, get it!

[blueline123]

Updated my initial question.

How do I get a job in a law enforcement agency that handles the tech aspect to the department. Like the MDT's, IT, Video, Drones, Cell Phones, Photography Etc. Do bigger departments have the 'tech guy'.

My experience

Almost 10 years road experience (police)
2 year computer science degree
4 year criminal justice degree
Extensive hardware and software knowledge on computers (Mac OSX, Windows OS)
Cell phone investigations (cell brite, etc.)

[just joe]

Where I work most of it is just one of the many duties of the tech guys. who are sworn officers. Computer/phone forensic stuff goes to the crime lab or an external resource.

[1035FAD]

Updated my initial question.

How do I get a job in a law enforcement agency that handles the tech aspect to the department. Like the MDT's, IT, Video, Drones, Cell Phones, Photography Etc. Do bigger departments have the 'tech guy'.

My experience

Almost 10 years road experience (police)
2 year computer science degree
4 year criminal justice degree
Extensive hardware and software knowledge on computers (Mac OSX, Windows OS)
Cell phone investigations (cell brite, etc.)

It'll be a job most likely posted through the municipality's HR... Kind of a crap shoot to be honest with you due to the infrequency and limited demand of such job openings. If you have an area in mind though where you want to work, try giving the city's HR and/or PD a call and see what they say. From my limited knowledge though, very large agencies handle all their stuff in house. Smaller municipalities may or may not do things in house... Depends on the size and budget of each agency. Often times they will contract out to outside companies to build and maintain their fleet electronic hardware and for IT they may have a few techs that are employed by the PD/SO or techs that the city itself will provide when needed. Hope this helps!

[Langford PR]

Bumping Morgannaa dumb stuff down