Getting into law enforcement

[Sgt Tunez]

Ok so I'm leaving the military within the next year. I loved it but I'm tired of moving around and going where they need me. I've done two tours to Iraq during the almost eight years I've been in the Marines. I also have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice paid for by uncle sam. I'd like to get into law enforcement. I applied to Philadelphia and Bensalem. Philly accepted me and I'll be testing next month, still waiting on Bensalem.

I have a couple of questions/concerns. I won't have a problem meeting the college requirements or military experience since I have above and beyond what is needed. I can easily pass the fitness test since the Marine Corps is more intense than most departments. The medical examination is my concern. I have a few herniated discs and some nerve damage in my back. While I experience pain quite often, I can deal and can definitely perform the tasks required (I completed a 135 hour internship with Bristol Township PD with no problem with tese issues still goig on). I would like to know if they would accept me based on this fact.

And if so, any other departments hiring?

[Bane]

Really depends on the dept, I have known a couple guys that have gotten bounced from the process because of existing back injuries/conditions. You have a lot going for you with college and military so just go through the process and see how things turn out, if you want to avoid wasting time just call the dept and ask them if any of your issues would be a reason you couldn't work for them. If you're serious about getting into this job I'd suggest looking into bigger Dept's and county departments out of the NE, the departments up here are all so small they are usually only hiring 1 or 2 guys so you have a very poor chance of getting picked up around this area. I'm moving to Virginia in the next month to accept a job with a county department for just that reason it's extremely difficult to get hired at premium places in the Northeast. Philly takes a lot of guys so you have a solid chance with them if you test well and interview well.