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I want to work as a campus police officer

(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: Danny75

Hey everyone, looking for some advice. I received my degree from Westfield State in CJ. I have worked in the court system and I am now an investigator for a housing authority relating to criminal matters. What i want to do is work for a college police department. I have looked into some reserve inter. academies. I have no academy training, will the reserve academy help me or is it a waste of time. I was looking to go to the academy on saturdays for 6 months. I have heard that if you have a degree and attend a basic reserve academy that you may be eligible to be appointed as a special. please correct me if I am wrong and maybe give some advice.
Thanks in advance.


Posted by: PearlOnyx

Danny,

While in some cases that is true, the majority of the larger colleges will not accept that. Specifically, I applied to Northeastern, BU, Salem State, and a few other schools when I was living in MA, and was told that I'd have to attend a full-time academy.


Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny75
I have no academy training, will the reserve academy help me or is it a waste of time.
No training will hurt you, so if the opportunity offers itself to attend a reserve academy-TAKE IT!!

Good luck


Posted by: Channy1984

Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny75
Hey everyone, looking for some advice. I received my degree from Westfield State in CJ. I have worked in the court system and I am now an investigator for a housing authority relating to criminal matters. What i want to do is work for a college police department. I have looked into some reserve inter. academies. I have no academy training, will the reserve academy help me or is it a waste of time. I was looking to go to the academy on saturdays for 6 months. I have heard that if you have a degree and attend a basic reserve academy that you may be eligible to be appointed as a special. please correct me if I am wrong and maybe give some advice.
Thanks in advance.
Some colleges will bring you on as a state special if you have a reserve academy with a CJ degree "Wentworth, Massart, Merrimack, and a few others I cant think of right now". Full time MCJTC or SSPO is better but the reserve academy is still good in some colleges.


Posted by: new guy

There are a number of options but based on my experience her are a few that I would suggest, Option #1, self sponsor yourself in a fulltime academy, the academy along with a degree will make you a good candidate for colleges and non civil service towns. Option #2, take a campus security job and impress the hell out of them each and every day, than apply for a police position when it becomes available and hopefully they will see you worthy of sending to the Academy. Option # 3 ( as mentioned in the previous post ) Go through the reserve academy and apply to the colleges that will accept it. This is probably the path of least resistance but if you can get the full time or SSPO academy, you'll have more opportunies available to you. Good luck.


Posted by: soxrock75

Quote:
Originally Posted by new guy
There are a number of options but based on my experience her are a few that I would suggest, Option #1, self sponsor yourself in a fulltime academy, the academy along with a degree will make you a good candidate for colleges and non civil service towns.
Hey New Guy, your screen name seems ironically appropriate becuase people are not allowed to self- sponsor for academies any more. This has been in effect for almost a year now. But hey, seeing as your the "New Guy" to the site, you probably didn't get that info yet.


Posted by: Mitpo62

Danny; head south (Florida) or west (LA) because breaking in an LE job around here is tough as nails, especially without any training/experience. Both of those places will give you plenty of each!


Posted by: new guy

Quote:
Originally Posted by soxrock75
Hey New Guy, your screen name seems ironically appropriate becuase people are not allowed to self- sponsor for academies any more. This has been in effect for almost a year now. But hey, seeing as your the "New Guy" to the site, you probably didn't get that info yet.
Alright Sox Rock maybe I used the term self sponsor a little loosely, but I know a number of non hired civilians who were able to get a chief sign off on them in name only, some were auxiliaries and some just got to know the right person. I'm not sure if it was in the last year but several have been fairly recent. Even though they may have technically had a sponsor in name only, I consider all of them self sponsors because they paid there own way and received no salary while in training. I also know a number of people who went out of state as self sponsors and came back. Most campuses will hire someone with an out of state full time academy. I'm not saying that it is the easiest route, but if you can swing it, I would say that it is the best way to go. As for my ironically appropriate screen name, yes it is "New Guy," but no it is not, "new cop," so ease up on the sarcasim.


Posted by: Zuke

My advice.. Get hired by a smaller college were its easier to get on then go to the SSPO academy. There are a lot of states out there that take the SSPO as a full time academy.

My old hunting grounds Wheaton College is hiring 2 officer.
http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/Admin/...Job990370.html

Yes its cheesy there, but 6 of us used it as a stepping stone and are working at full time PDs know.


Posted by: badgebunny

I recently interviewed at a campus pd and because I have the reserve academy and a degree (not in CJ) I could get a waiver for police power if hired. I would have to attend the SSPO as well. Like the others have said try getting into a reserve academy. It may take some time to get in, but be patient. It took me quite awhile, but I just finished a little over a month ago. Good luck!


Posted by: Danny75

Hey thanks, I do not think my next academy is until Oct. / Nov. probably will not get hired by anyone before then, right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by badgebunny
I recently interviewed at a campus pd and because I have the reserve academy and a degree (not in CJ) I could get a waiver for police power if hired. I would have to attend the SSPO as well. Like the others have said try getting into a reserve academy. It may take some time to get in, but be patient. It took me quite awhile, but I just finished a little over a month ago. Good luck!



Posted by: Danny75

did you have any academy training when you interviewed with Wheaton. Will I even be considered without any academy training but I am planning on attending in the fall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuke
My advice.. Get hired by a smaller college were its easier to get on then go to the SSPO academy. There are a lot of states out there that take the SSPO as a full time academy.

My old hunting grounds Wheaton College is hiring 2 officer.
http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/Admin/...Job990370.html

Yes its cheesy there, but 6 of us used it as a stepping stone and are working at full time PDs know.



Posted by: HELPMe

Per the mass counsel you inorder to get SSPO you need either a AS in CJ or experience in LE of 3 years equivalent. You need to have completed the R/I academy as a pre-requisite. Inorder to be appointed as SSPO in the state of MA.

Most schools either swear you in as a sheriff so you can make arrests off campus when committed in presence. Others will do SSPO I know FSC does a combination of the two.

I know Dean doesnt really require anything, they send you to the R/I academy if you want. I am in the R/I academy with a kid who goes there right now and that is what he told me. Most colleges are trying to mandate a level of training pre-requisite so that you have to attend the SSPO academy to be appointed Campus Police Officer.

Basically its a whole lot of training for not alot of pay. Most schools start around 14 for SSPO which is a joke considering you have to attend a 16 week full time academy, other schools with a higher budget start around 16-18 which as you can tell is alot of competition for.

Also the R/I Academy depending of where you go isnt that bad. I go tues, and thurs nites and you learn alot have dedicated instructors and you may just network your way into a job. So for $450 i would say its worth it.


Posted by: mpd61

Quote:
Originally Posted by HELPMe
Per the mass counsel you inorder to get SSPO you need either a AS in CJ or experience in LE of 3 years equivalent. You need to have completed the R/I academy as a pre-requisite. Inorder to be appointed as SSPO in the state of MA.

.
Who the heck is the "mass counsel"?

1. SSPO qualifications under CH22C are under the EOPS/Colonel of State Police. The Certification unit is out of Danvers Mass.

2. The "experience in LE of 3 years equivalent" is actually 4000 sworn hours (two years)
This experience is used in conjunction with the degree or R/I academy.

Please make sure of your facts before you advise people out here, you could give many false hopes. Plus there are plenty of people waiting to correct you on misinformation



Posted by: Crvtte65

Quote:
Originally Posted by mpd61
Plus there are plenty of people waiting to correct you on misinformation
Never lacking that on this site


Posted by: fscpd903

Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny75
Hey everyone, looking for some advice. I received my degree from Westfield State in CJ. I have worked in the court system and I am now an investigator for a housing authority relating to criminal matters. What i want to do is work for a college police department. I have looked into some reserve inter. academies. I have no academy training, will the reserve academy help me or is it a waste of time. I was looking to go to the academy on saturdays for 6 months. I have heard that if you have a degree and attend a basic reserve academy that you may be eligible to be appointed as a special. please correct me if I am wrong and maybe give some advice.
Thanks in advance.
You should definitely try to get into a reserve academy if you can. You will need to be sponsored by a municipal PD and will have to pay your own way, but its cheap. You should be all set because you have a degree, and the academy combined with 4000 hours experience would make you waiverable anyway.

At least get the reserve academy for your basic LE training. The reserve academy will also make you eligable to get on a town in a p/t or reserve basis. Most colleges look for people who are trained or at least waiverable, but many will send you to the SSPO academy anyway, even if you are waiverable with the combination or the reserve academy / degree and the limited amount of experience hours. At least I know Framingham State does! The reserve academy is definitely not a waste of time for someone that has no training or experience at all. Even if it doesnt help you get on a college PD, which it most likely will anyway, its still beneficial because it will teach you the basics of LE in Mass. Good Luck!


Posted by: Danny75

thanks for the info, much appreciated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fscpd903
You should definitely try to get into a reserve academy if you can. You will need to be sponsored by a municipal PD and will have to pay your own way, but its cheap. You should be all set because you have a degree, and the academy combined with 4000 hours experience would make you waiverable anyway.

At least get the reserve academy for your basic LE training. The reserve academy will also make you eligable to get on a town in a p/t or reserve basis. Most colleges look for people who are trained or at least waiverable, but many will send you to the SSPO academy anyway, even if you are waiverable with the combination or the reserve academy / degree and the limited amount of experience hours. At least I know Framingham State does! The reserve academy is definitely not a waste of time for someone that has no training or experience at all. Even if it doesnt help you get on a college PD, which it most likely will anyway, its still beneficial because it will teach you the basics of LE in Mass. Good Luck!



Posted by: HELPMe

Quote:
Originally Posted by mpd61
Who the heck is the "mass counsel"?

1. SSPO qualifications under CH22C are under the EOPS/Colonel of State Police. The Certification unit is out of Danvers Mass.

2. The "experience in LE of 3 years equivalent" is actually 4000 sworn hours (two years)
This experience is used in conjunction with the degree or R/I academy.

Please make sure of your facts before you advise people out here, you could give many false hopes. Plus there are plenty of people waiting to correct you on misinformation
Sorry if i was unclear..i meant to say that it was meant to go along with your degree...sorry i used the wrong term. i thought the Mass Municipal Police Training Committee set the standards for the sspo eligibility? But you always learn something new..thanks for correcting me.


Posted by: sideshow2

DO NOT WORK FOR MASSART...THE CHIEF IS A MORON...FOOLISH. hE CONTACTS THE NIGHT SHIFT AND GETS ALL WORRIED...the whole department is umm...just wrong. no one can run anyone in leaps...they are all afraid of doing police work...IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE DO NOT WORK THERE. I KNOW FROM EXPIERIENCE...THE deputy is also from some foolish town...takes a campus job...sounds a little suspicous..


Posted by: Macop

First off there is always a way to self sponsor, I know several people that have done it since the so called ban, ya right. I am also a Wheaton College Public Safety alumnia. I only had the reserve academy and an AS and some Aux/Spc experience and I was hired. They, in those days would not send you to the S.S.P.O if they can get a waiver. I was hired with three people and they sent the other two because they could not get a waiver. I used it as a stepping stone to a better college P.D and on to a town, good luck.


Posted by: Mitpo62

Check out www.bridgew.edu for any police officer listings. I know that periodically they post openings or have a process for any upcoming vacancies. BSC is a great job with great supervisors/command staff + as an added bonus you attend a municipal academy. Beat that!


Posted by: serpico

Hey brother I may be wrong but I believe you can still self sponsor yourself at the Lowell Police Academy. Your best bet is to call Sgt.Flemming and ask him, he is the academy director and a real good guy. If that doesn't work join the service and go to the top of the Civil Service list, at least thats what I did. Good Luck.


Posted by: ferus fidelitas

the reserve academy is a joke. The sspo academy teaches you the basics that as a cpo you will rarely use and quickly forget.... been there, done that... be realistic...there should be a campus police course that is realistic and benifitual to the job that you actually do... there really is a huge difference between the jobs of a campus, municipal and state police .. you guys have to deal with alot of liberal college administrators who are basically your numerous "chiefs".....although I advocate being fair, the fresh punks deserve no mercy.. just be fair and use good judgement... the job is not about stats.. it's about using mature judgement... someday, when you are more experienced... both the cowboys and limp wristed on this site will look back and realize that "that guy Ferus was right"... as much as Mongo and Nightcoppa hate the word... be pragmatic... it makes you a better officer and person..


Posted by: masscopguy

1. Veterans preference trumps a CJ degree any day. I can't begin to count how many people I know who have a BS in CJ and couldn't get a civil service cop job in MA. I know quite a few guys who served in the military and didn't have a degree and have been hired in the last 15 years.

2. We all know the R/I is very easy but it is a recognized credential that will get you a job at a private College.

3. I called the Mass Police Council about self sponsorship. You can no longer sponsor yourself. Thanks for the tip about Lowell.

4. The SSPO academy has always gotten good reviews and is recognized out of state but you need a sponsor.


Posted by: mpd61

Quote:
Originally Posted by ferus fidelitas
both the cowboys and limp wristed on this site will look back and realize that "that guy Ferus was right"... ..
Somehow I doubt that very much!



Posted by: TONEY

Hey kid, why do you want to work for a campus anyway. Have a clue, those guys that work for a campus do not make it there 1st or only law enforcement choice.

Get a Job will you


Posted by: ferus fidelitas

go for municipal, transit or state police... you will quickly be bored as as cpo - too many of them are coat holders and are considered to be wannabes... been there, done that,... way too boring and way too unchallenging.. many are great guys who would make good police officers - but too many have ego problems, reality problems and suck up to the Dean and others too much... Massive difference between the jobs...regular, ongoing, real life experience trumps a brief course someone may have taken... I respect 90% of cpo's... but too many are wack jobs with ego issues.. just my opinion and experience...sspo means little if you don't actually experience situations on a regular basis ... too many cpo's seem to be quick on calling for help from municipal and state police .. by the way.. i always give cpo's and c.o.'s professional courtesy unless they have an arrogant, misguided attitude - and little clue about what the job really entails.. some cpo's are their and their co-workers worst enemy...


Posted by: mpd61


Ferus, your brain power is showing again


Posted by: Macop

Ferus, again you have proven yourself to be a brain child.


Posted by: brk120

Umass/Amherst has a test coming up in the spring. If they hire you, you get sent through a municipal academy; Most guys have gone through the agawam, some have gone through the mbta academy and other full time municipal academies. Alot of good guys work at Umass/Amherst. And for some it is there last job. Some have gone from Umass/amherst to work for a variety of state Police agencies and others have gone federal. alot of guys have ended up there after working for town and city police departments. There are a wide variety of calls and you will gain alot of experience and some good training; despite what some people on masscops might think (usually the guys that have no clue what they are tslking about). Umass is not your regular campus police job. Good luck in your search.




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