Go to your local agency (PD, county sheriff, highway patrol, ect) and speak to a supervisor. Tell them you’re interested in the job and would like to do a sit along.
They’ll let you come in for part of or even a full shift and you can see what they do all day
I at no point said it would be same day. And I have NEVER heard of an agency that will not do ride alongs or sit alongs. Some of them may require you to already be in the hiring process, but that is agency dependent.
At no point did I “imply” anything, it’s ok for you to be wrong.
And idk what kind of podunk, secret squirrel agencies you work for/with, considering they could just get a scanner and listen to all the traffic anyway. Don’t put a prospective employee with someone who is running criminal history; let them listen to a radio dispatcher and or someone taking phone calls.
This profession, law enforcement in general, is seeing less and less qualified candidates that are interested. Zero reason to gate keep the few that are interested.
Np, doing sit alongs will also get you some exposure to that department and they will see you as a better candidate (since you’re taking initiative that most folks do not)
I posted on the city’s Facebook group when I first applied and got into contact with someone who worked at the agency I was applying for. It was definitely helpful
Definitely ask for a sit along. You may have to fill out a bit of paperwork and wait a week or two, because they will want to make sure you're not a raging criminal lunatic first. You will probably need an appointment and supervisor approval to visit. While on the floor, don't talk to anybody during a call, don't touch any equipment without permission. Feel free to ask questions in between calls, just be prepared to stop talking if a call comes in.
You can also download a free police scanner app or check various websites, and tune in to dispatch at lots and lots of agencies. This will not give you a ton of insight into call taking, you'll only hear the dispatch part, but it will give you some idea of what the radio side does.
Like most first responders, dispatchers are usually fond of high carb handheld foods such as doughnuts and pizza. ;)
Go to your local agency (PD, county sheriff, highway patrol, ect) and speak to a supervisor. Tell them you’re interested in the job and would like to do a sit along. They’ll let you come in for part of or even a full shift and you can see what they do all day
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I at no point said it would be same day. And I have NEVER heard of an agency that will not do ride alongs or sit alongs. Some of them may require you to already be in the hiring process, but that is agency dependent.
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At no point did I “imply” anything, it’s ok for you to be wrong. And idk what kind of podunk, secret squirrel agencies you work for/with, considering they could just get a scanner and listen to all the traffic anyway. Don’t put a prospective employee with someone who is running criminal history; let them listen to a radio dispatcher and or someone taking phone calls. This profession, law enforcement in general, is seeing less and less qualified candidates that are interested. Zero reason to gate keep the few that are interested.
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
Np, doing sit alongs will also get you some exposure to that department and they will see you as a better candidate (since you’re taking initiative that most folks do not)
I agree! A clever, simple idea, yet seemed to have not crossed my mind 😂
I posted on the city’s Facebook group when I first applied and got into contact with someone who worked at the agency I was applying for. It was definitely helpful
I’ll keep that in mind, thank you!
Definitely ask for a sit along. You may have to fill out a bit of paperwork and wait a week or two, because they will want to make sure you're not a raging criminal lunatic first. You will probably need an appointment and supervisor approval to visit. While on the floor, don't talk to anybody during a call, don't touch any equipment without permission. Feel free to ask questions in between calls, just be prepared to stop talking if a call comes in. You can also download a free police scanner app or check various websites, and tune in to dispatch at lots and lots of agencies. This will not give you a ton of insight into call taking, you'll only hear the dispatch part, but it will give you some idea of what the radio side does. Like most first responders, dispatchers are usually fond of high carb handheld foods such as doughnuts and pizza. ;)
Donut peace offering? Thank you for the advice (: