Mish , 11-07-2013 07:58 PM
Line Holder
USMCFLYR, and Everyone
I can certainly speak a bit about my transition to law enforcement from the airline world. When I got furloughed from United the second time, I applied to some airlines, and also focused on law enforcement agencies. This career was an interest I had since a child that I wouldn’t necessarily have pursued except for the need of looking for a new job. The way I looked at it, the barrier to entry in the field was a reasonable period of time(a 4 to 6 month academy) for a decent living and retirement. I had other interests, too, but all would have required graduate degrees and the corresponding financial and time commitment during a time when I had a small child at home. I like interesting and exciting work, and this would provide that, as well as fulfilling a desire in serving the people of the United States. I had always wanted to serve the United States in the military, had earned a pilot slot in the USAF in the mid 90s, and was denied at the physical due to mild asthma, so I had pursued a commercial pilot career since then, in case any one wonders.
My law enforcement interests were in an agency or department that also had an air wing, so as to have some further options at a later date. Additionally, I found drug enforcement particularly interesting. I decided to apply to just the federal agencies, and pursued Customs Air and Marine, FBI, ATF(which does not have an air wing, anymore), and DEA. I was picked up by DEA and that has been a good fit. There are many options in police departments/federal agencies. I would recommend thinking about what one’s interests are, and applying to those agencies. A large city’s police department will provide many different opportunities such as SWAT, aviation, marine, K-9 handler, detective, you name it. Federal agencies such as the one I’m at allow foreign assignments, aviation, SWAT, various city transfers in the U.S., etc. The one thing I can say is that he/she who applies has to be interested in doing police work/investigative work. If someone applies to a department/agency in the sole hope of flying airplanes or helicopters, that is a foolish choice. The mission of the department/agency are the primary focus, and everything else exists to serve that mission, and there are no guarantees that anyone will get in the air wing. With that said, one who gets in the air wing will most likely be provided training for certificates and ratings, and access to complex equipment with possibly low experience.
The hiring process is certainly competitive, but very doable for a pilot type. College degrees are required for some agencies, and not for others. Good work experience is always celebrated. My academy class was probably 70% ex-police with the rest ex-military, and a few special cases like me(pilot, lawyer, intern, etc.). It took me 2.5 years to get hired, so be prepared for a lengthy hiring process. This process will include background checks, interviews, writing exercises, drug tests, fitness tests, psychological tests, polygraph, amongst others.
The Academy will be challenging, and include shooting, fighting, law classes, practical exercises, and physical training. I always have been fit, and involved with sports, but never was a fighter. I found it challenging, but also very surviveable with a good attitude and a good sense of humor.
I was assigned to a border office, and have worked cases from street level to international cartel cases. The personalities in law enforcement are colorful and there is never a day where I don’t laugh very hard. I’m not the most refined individual and this fits me pretty well. I am constantly impressed by the state/local/federal officers and agents I work with, and that part is no different than the airline business. There are complaints over here, but they are different than the usual union politics or contract talks. We work very hard. I average 60 hours per week, lately, and for 6 months last year, averaged 70 to 80, and 7 days per week of work. There are hazards associated with this job just like flying, and depending on the department/agency, that may run from 2:00 am traffic stops, auto-accident coverage, to search warrants, and drug buy-busts, and the bullets and blood are real(I watched someone get shot a few months ago). Law enforcement deals with unsavory individuals every day that wouldn’t be found in an airline cockpit, and I am constantly put in uncomfortable situations/stressful situations. The stress of doing raids/arrests is similar to difficult weather and crosswind landings, and in other words, fun. I think anyone reading this would like that part. The main stresses of the job for me are pressures from my many bosses, prosecutors I work with, and constant time constraints.
The pay and benefits can be quite good, depending on the employer. We still have a pension here, and there is healthcare coverage for those who stay for 20 years. I don’t know if I will stay that long, but I am happy to be here now, and happy to be serving the people of the United States. My co-workers are something else, and would do anything for me or my family, and the air wing is always an option. I have weekends and holidays off, generally, but there is no guarantee, and the phone rings at all hours, sometimes. For state and local officers, the schedule is 365 days per year like the airlines.
I hope this answers some questions. I have worked with many different departments and agencies, so hopefully can answer other questions that some may have.
Mish
10-05-2014
