Can you take a leave from your current job to go get your flight training? The approach I would take is to take a leave of absence from your current job, go to ATP and get your at least your private liscense (and instrument rating if possible). Then go back to your law enforcement job where you can make enough money to do the following: Either finance a little plane or rent one from your local airport (if one is available) and fly as many hours as you can on your days off. Then when you get ~250 hours take another leave to go get your commercial liscense and then go back to your law enforcement job and continue flying and building hours. When you have 1400 total hours take another leave and go get your commercial multi engine certification. Go back home and go back to law enforcement. When you have 1500 hours, apply at the regionals. After you get a job offer as a pilot, sell your plane, quit your job, and enjoy your new career.