Looked into ciminal justice programs?

[cowmilker]

Has anyone looked into (or been/going through)those criminal justice programs by ITT or Mounain West College. I went through POST at SLCC in '99 and spent a few months on the road as a patrol officer before getting let go, and there has not been a day go by that I have not thought about being back on the road (the only thing I didn't like about it was family fights and ungovernable juveniles).
I have thought about going back to school and completing a degree (I believe I got 10hrs credit for POST) but I was wondering if these "tech" colleges are worth it.

Also a question for the LEO's on the board; what is your oppinion about my ability to get back on the road (I was thinking UHP or County Deputy, or a BIGGER P.D.) with a questionable arrest in my background? (PM me and I can explain my mistake to you if you are intersted.)

 

[JF1]

If you have a questionable arrest in your background, you'll have a tough time getting on to any LE organization that I know of simply because of competition, i.e, there are many applicants who do not have a questionable arrest. I'm sure you already know this.
If I were in your shoes, I would pursue something else. College is a good start even if you don't know what you want to do. Get in, start taking the classes you need, try some that interest you, find your niche and be done. Though not quite a guarantee of success, a college degree opens many doors.
Btw, I would just skip those "colleges" that you mentioned except for SLCC which is a great school to start out in since everything you take is fully transferable.The others are not worth the money, imho.
Good luck.
Joe

 

[cowmilker]

If you have a questionable arrest in your background, you'll have a tough time getting on to any LE organization that I know of simply because of competition,

Thanks,
Every time I talk to someone about it they tell me what they think I want to hear. I appreciate your honesty!

 

[XT Utah]

College

I agree with JF1. Finish college and you will have a lot more opportunities. You can always decide to be on the road, but with a degree you will have an advantage over the others trying to rise up through the ranks.

If you are not married or if you don't have any kids, now is a great time to finish your degree. It sucks to do it all at the same time.

I started at SLCC and finished at Rutgers University in New Jersey. I was working full time and going to school at night while trying to raise a family. It was really tough but I'm glad I stuck with it.

Sorry to sound like your parents

John

 

[Badcop]

With the ? in the past I wouldnt waste anymore time with it. When I got my BS in CJ I got most my credits from BYU correspondence and the rest through Parks online.

Since I was working around school it took just a short 6 years to complete.

If you smarten up like I did, youll re major in a more useful career, like buisness ownership/manegment.

I sure wouldnt go near the ITT one at all. Weber state up here has a really good program from what I hear.

 

[cowmilker]

If you smarten up like I did, youll re major in a more useful career,

That is also kind of another issue, I have questioned wheather it is worth it to go risk my life for $14.50hr (if you volunteer to be a swat team member were there is MORE danger, you can make $15.00hr) taking a $10-15k a year cut in pay from what I made last year (to start), when I have a family to support, and I have a hard time amking it from payday to payday as it is.
But I just had so much fun out on the road!!!!!, and I never came home from work smelling like baby puke, or egg nog, or buttermilk.
The doors may be closing at the dairy sometime in the future, and I have only had schooling in police work, and police work is one job you don't get laid off from too often (although I know it can happen).

 

[cowmilker]

Another question for you PO's. What is overtime like?
My Dad was a UHP Trooper (he is retired and has since passed away), and as I remember there was not an option for him to work a lot of overtime (budget issues with the legislature). There was a lot of part time jobs that payed $15hr, doing security and stuff like that, but is it still like that? (He retired in '94)
Maybe the "cut in pay" would not be so big if I could work at something a couple of nights a week for at least the same (straight time) pay. I and my family are already used to overtime. (that $10-15k a year I just talked about is from OT)

 

[Brad J]

.....I sure wouldnt go near the ITT one at all....

I agree and I got my BS EET there. Credits don't transfer, they treat you like your in Elementery school (taking attendance and give you a hard time if you miss a day) I heard of a guy who went 23 months w/ 1 left for his Assosciates then started missing school and they kicked him out w/o being able to comeback ever and finish so he was out all of that $ and time. It keeps getting more and more expensive (but all schools do). I have not heard of this course also so I would not be the 1st one seeing how it goes. I tried that and they had instructors trying to teach something they had no idea about.

HTH, Brad J