Flyguy6 said:
AN aviation option I dont hear many people talk about is fying for a law enforcement agency. I have thinking about it lately. I dont mean federal. I wish I coculd but I am 36 years old and the cut off age to be a special agent is 35. So, Ihave been thining abut state patrol or police The problem is most of these departments fly helicopters and I am an airplane pilot.. Does anyone have any advise n departments that fly fixed wing or what they think about a career in law enforcement flying?
Here's some serious advice form a former cop.
Don't do it.
If you get into law enforcement just to fly, you're in it for the wrong reason. Most the of people that I worked with had a tough-to-describe dedication to their job that is rare and special. If a person came in that wasn't like that, they would be quickly frustrated and overwhelmed by the job's negatives and be out with a year or two.
Second, if you go into a department with the attitude that you're "only here to put in my time before I get to the aviation division" you're gonna be seen as condescending and conceited and it's gonna cause you problems with the road guys that think their job is pretty great. Also, if you let this attitude slip out during an interview, you won't make it past that point...they want a guy who will do whatever it takes for the good of the department --a "team player," if you will-- not somebody with the "I'm only here to fly attitude."
The above can effect your work performance and thus your evaluations...considering the competition to get onto the aviation unit --many states have ONE or TWO pilots (who, by the way, have been in that position for some time and aren't planning on going anywhere)-- having a "doesn't play well with others" on your annual would knock you out of the running.
Also, what if you get assigned to an asshole sergeant that dings you for evey little thing that happens just because he doesn't like the way you look? (don't think it doesn't happen) If he/she torpedoes your chances of getting into the aviation unit, are you prepared to spend the rest of your life in patrol, most likely not earning enough $$$ to fly more than a few hours a month in a rental?? ...and don't think that you'll just be able to "transfer" to another department with an aviation unit with the hopes of getting on there...it's NOT that easy. If the department doesn't accept lateral transfers (the vast majority don't) you'll have to go though the hiring process, academy, FTO, probation, and all of the required training again. Trust me when I say that you won't be willing to do it.
If you enter law enforcement, your chances of getting into the aviaiton unit are slim. If you you're already a pilot, I'd say they're between one in three and one in ten.
...and what happens to you if the state/city/county hits a budget crunch and the "powers that be" decide that the cops don't need those "fancy airplanes?"
If you wanna be a cop, go for it. Many departments jump at the chance to hire guys your age. If you're doing it to fly, I'd give it some serious thought before jumping in with both feet, because that's what your gonna be doing.