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In 2009 went thru the self sponsored modular academy in N. California .Completed Level II and then went through the hiring process for a local PD in 2010. Out of 60 applicants I made it down to the last 2. I had my final interview with Chief and the panel. The other guy was chosen. At the time no one was really hiring so I ended my LEO journey there. I was 35 and felt I was too old to continue on. Fast forward to 2023. I am now 49. I joined the citizens academy . My plan was to only be a volunteer citizen. However now I have the bug now. This time I only want to consider reserve positions. I am now established in my career and cannot take the pay cut to change careers. I am confident I can handle the academy again, not looking forward to the pepper spray though. I plan on completing the citizens academy and rolling right into the Level III. This time around I want to do everything I can to be selected. My back round has not changed other than a car accident in 2015. Am I crazy to attempt this again? I feel I have alot more life experience and I know what to expect in the academy and hiring process this time around. Just took the PelletB today. I am just still concerned about my age and if I will even be looked at.
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You have to attend the full academy. Your old academy has expired. -
Thank you I know, I have already started the process .Comment
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Not sure why it's in Italics. New to this computer and forum.Comment
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You want to reserve? In 2023? In California? Yikes.
To be blunt, your age should be the least of your concerns. You're talking about entering a profession that is not held in high regard for a significant swath of the population...and doing it for free. Besides the normal day-to-day stressors of the job, you're also potentially putting yourself and your normal livelihood at risk to essentially "play cop."
I'm not one to discourage people from entering the profession (because we need good LEO's today), but I am one to make sure the people understand the realities of what they're getting into when they do. I recommend that you seriously consider the risk vs. reward."He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
-Friedrich NietzscheComment
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A guy in my academy was 50 years old when I was there. He could hack all the PT and everything else but quit after 2 months because he didn't want to put up with all the nonsense that comes with being picked on by the TO's and surrounded by people half his age.Originally posted by Rloop View Post
In his words he didn't want to go through with finishing the academy and then patrol training when he would be knocking on the door of retirement 5 years later. I don't blame him.
California is not friendly to law enforcement. If you want to be a reserve and feel it's a calling, go for it. I don't know how much satisfaction you'll get once you're out on the streets putting up with garbage legislation and leadership while working for free.Comment
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The good news is your not too old.Comment
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I was on the job almost 31 years, and have been retired now for 14. Just to amuse myself, I sometimes wonder how long I would last if I went back to an academy.
Would it be a number of days or hours before I was "asked to leave?'Comment
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To many, LE is an actual 'calling.' Yes, it pays the bills...barely, but the actual daily grind is PUBLIC SERVCE! Adrenaline rushes are there as depicted in the media, but the realities are different.
LE, in reality, is hand-holding the public. 911 is for when people can't handle nor want to handle a problem. We then attempt to solve that problem in one way or another.
Even if you are in your late '40s, you are still able to carve out a decent career if you make it happen. Don't be sitting on your rocker in your golden years always kicking yourself for at least trying. Good luck with your decision!Comment
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I went through the state academy with a couple of guys in their 40s and 50s. One was an ex-cop from up north and another was a digital forensics guy sent by his agency to get certified so he can carry a gun in the lab he's been working in for a decade already. Both were outstanding recruits, great at PT, academics, and firearms, no discipline issues. Instructors didn't mess with them much because one already had more experience than any of them, and both were mature adults without a need to be broken in and given a reality check. I'd much rather police with guys like them, and you, than a lot of the younger crowd.Comment
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