CPD - Recommended Degree

[Chicago_mwk]

As I have posted earlier, I am persuing my bachelors degree. I am currently on track for a geology degree. My reasoning was that I would want a degree that would be useful if something were to happen and I couldn't be a cop anymore (i.e. injury, burn-out...).

Today, I had a bit of time to reflect and I started thinking about advancement within the PD. I know that promotion to Sgt is a test, and I thought I read that LT is a test as well. Beyond that I know i'll need to have a degree, good record, yadda, yadda...

My question is, would I be more likely to advance with a degree in Criminology or does it really not matter?

I'd like to continue with the geology, but I would hate to hurt my career by following a hobby.

(Please save any "it's all political" and conspiracy theory mumbo-jumbo for another thread... Thanks)

[Oldskoolfan]

I am not a cop, but from what I have read they just want a degree. Geology will get you a great job after you leave the department with some of the oil companies or other private sector jobs. I would not worry about it.

[ChiTownDet]

All you need is 60 credit hours worth of any classes to get on, same to take the Det. test for 80% of the spots (other 20%, see below or be shot on the job), Sgt's test for 70% of the spots (other 30%, see below), Lt. is 120 credit hours of any classes for 70% of the spots (other 30%, see below), Capt. (see below), and exempt ranks (see below).

With tuition reimbursement, why would you fork out $$$ out of your pocket for the extra 60 credits to get 120? Geology is as good as welding, stained glass making, or small engine repair as far as the city is concerned..You could even take the same 1 credit hour class 60 times and make the requirement.

BTW, the city refuses to define what "merit" means in regards to those 30% of people that will score hundreds of spots lower than you (or not pass at all) on the tests for Det., Sgt., Lt.

(Please save any "it's all political" and conspiracy theory mumbo-jumbo for another thread... Thanks)

[Chicago_mwk]

I've already got my 60 hours, plus military time, and have been accepted for hire, I'm just waiting for the academy. While I wait I'm going back to school since the Illinois Veteran Grant and GI Bill are paying me to do it.

I figured that I should get the bachelors degree anyway, especially since it's a free ride.

When you say "or be shot on the job" do you mean that officers that have been shot get a bump to Det?

BTW, the city refuses to define what "merit" means in regards to those 30% of people that will score hundreds of spots lower than you (or not pass at all) on the tests for Det., Sgt., Lt.

Breaking my own rule here, but that's messed up... are these 70-30 80-20 percentiles in the contract or general orders?

[ChiTownDet]

The "merit" percentages were put in by the city. Union had no say in it. Historically, CPD had 20% merit for Det's for many years, but usually when a guy made merit Det., it was for a noteworthy incident (mostly involved in a shootout, being shot, heroic act) and when a guy got made, you knew why (the incident he was in). The city started the 30% "merit" for Sgt. and Lt around 1997. Capt's went all "merit" from a tested rank around 2000. Wait until you get OTJ and see all the people being made "merit" that did absolutely nothing OTJ, can't write a 3 line report, worked in a cubicle at 35th St., or on the front desk in a Dist. Some of these have spent less time working the street than I have on the medical.

Nothing like studying your ***** off for a promotional, ranking in the top 100, then finding out you won't get made because someone that ranked 1500 or 2000 on the list, that passes out radios got made instead.

Actually, you can go no higher than Lt. on this job by doing well on the test. Anything above that see *below..


*

(Please save any "it's all political" and conspiracy theory mumbo-jumbo for another thread... Thanks)

Think this is screwed up, don't even get me going on our Dept. "Awards."

[Harry Dunn]

I've already got my 60 hours, plus military time, and have been accepted for hire, I'm just waiting for the academy. While I wait I'm going back to school since the Illinois Veteran Grant and GI Bill are paying me to do it.

I figured that I should get the bachelors degree anyway, especially since it's a free ride.

When you say "or be shot on the job" do you mean that officers that have been shot get a bump to Det?



Breaking my own rule here, but that's messed up... are these 70-30 80-20 percentiles in the contract or general orders?

sorry to go offtopic with your thread, but i was just wondering when you took the written? thanks

[Edge06128]

i was told on a ride along to get a business degree even though i was just about to graduate with a degree in aviation, the officers reasoning behind it was that you need to know how to run a business. A police department is a business that has fiscal, management, etc business responsibilities which would be all covered by a business management degree. Def a smart move if you ask me.

[ChiTownDet]

Doesn't make a difference (Business Degree). Don't change a major for the job. Your type of degree is not even taken into consideration for promotional tests, except that you have the required credit hours. And as far as exempt ranks go, it's entirely political to get appointed (city-wise and department-wise). I know one person that was made a Capt. with a degree in zoology. You'll be able to do more with that aviation degree than a business degree (unless you plan on leaving the job and opening a business).

Also, don't believe that the CPD (or City for that matter) is actually run like a business (maybe one that is headed towards bankruptcy). Any rule of business is secondary (or totally disregarded) to any political considerations in decisions that are made.

Your degree may make a difference in some Departments, but not CPD.

[littleguy]

I asked a friend about the question presented. He is a Law Enforcement Officer and he said the degree to pursue is Public Safety Management.

[ccsd0601]

The "merit" percentages were put in by the city. Union had no say in it. Historically, CPD had 20% merit for Det's for many years, but usually when a guy made merit Det., it was for a noteworthy incident (mostly involved in a shootout, being shot, heroic act) and when a guy got made, you knew why (the incident he was in). The city started the 30% "merit" for Sgt. and Lt around 1997. Capt's went all "merit" from a tested rank around 2000. Wait until you get OTJ and see all the people being made "merit" that did absolutely nothing OTJ, can't write a 3 line report, worked in a cubicle at 35th St., or on the front desk in a Dist. Some of these have spent less time working the street than I have on the medical.

Nothing like studying your ***** off for a promotional, ranking in the top 100, then finding out you won't get made because someone that ranked 1500 or 2000 on the list, that passes out radios got made instead.

Actually, you can go no higher than Lt. on this job by doing well on the test. Anything above that see *below..


*

Think this is screwed up, don't even get me going on our Dept. "Awards."

LOL... for a second there, I thought you were talking about County...

[ChiTownDet]

LOL... for a second there, I thought you were talking about County...

County is a whole different set of phone calls..

[0311Grunt]

ChiTownDet is 100% right on all posts. All they care about what you majored in, it could be in under water basket weaving and they can care less, it's merit and test scores. And as much as you don't want to hear it, JUICE plays a huge role

[Chicago_mwk]

i was told on a ride along to get a business degree even though i was just about to graduate with a degree in aviation, the officers reasoning behind it was that you need to know how to run a business. A police department is a business that has fiscal, management, etc business responsibilities which would be all covered by a business management degree. Def a smart move if you ask me.

OK. Thanks for the tip. I was thinking something along those lines, I'm looking for (if it matters) a degree that would give me more "merit" than someone else when it comes to Captain and above.

I know one person that was made a Capt. with a degree in zoology. Your degree may make a difference in some Departments, but not CPD.

That's good to know... I can still follow my geology hobby and be ok for advancement (hopefully).

I guess the best bet would be to email someone who is already a captain or in a panel that decides who get promoted and ask them what they look for.

Thanks everyone for the good information.

[gundog]

The "merit" percentages were put in by the city. Union had no say in it. Historically, CPD had 20% merit for Det's for many years, but usually when a guy made merit Det., it was for a noteworthy incident (mostly involved in a shootout, being shot, heroic act) and when a guy got made, you knew why (the incident he was in). The city started the 30% "merit" for Sgt. and Lt around 1997. Capt's went all "merit" from a tested rank around 2000. Wait until you get OTJ and see all the people being made "merit" that did absolutely nothing OTJ, can't write a 3 line report, worked in a cubicle at 35th St., or on the front desk in a Dist. Some of these have spent less time working the street than I have on the medical.

Nothing like studying your ***** off for a promotional, ranking in the top 100, then finding out you won't get made because someone that ranked 1500 or 2000 on the list, that passes out radios got made instead.

Actually, you can go no higher than Lt. on this job by doing well on the test. Anything above that see *below..


*

Think this is screwed up, don't even get me going on our Dept. "Awards."

Wow! And I thought the county was bad!

[gundog]

OK. Thanks for the tip. I was thinking something along those lines, I'm looking for (if it matters) a degree that would give me more "merit" than someone else when it comes to Captain and above.



That's good to know... I can still follow my geology hobby and be ok for advancement (hopefully).

I guess the best bet would be to email someone who is already a captain or in a panel that decides who get promoted and ask them what they look for.

Thanks everyone for the good information.

I think you missed the point!