Anyone work in law enforcement?

[Konnor]

Hey guys. Any of you work in law enforcement or corrections? I am looking into a career change, and am interested to hear others experiences. Especially going through a peace officer training academy- how was the environment, how was the physical demands, were you out or stealth? Just looking for any anecdotes or advice. Thanks!

[Sebryn]

I'm interested in this as well since I am going to join on locally with the county as a sheriff's deputy. Here you start out as a jailer. Just remember they do a very very thorough background check and physical exam -before- you are even considered for the job or academy....so that'd make it pretty impossible to be stealth to the higher ups in the chain of command. I do know on our local police force (from talking to the second in command personally) that two officers have transitioned while on the job on the police force here with little problem. So that is encouraging but a different environment than the sheriff department. We also recently got gender expression protection in my city (though I think most law enforcement has to go by ENDA standards since they get federal money).

The physical demands are pretty high from what I've read of the job requirements for a deputy. To qualify you have to pass a physical test. 22 push ups min, 33 sit ups min, and run 1.5 miles in under 11 minutes. (edit: I looked at the requirement sheet again, it's not 11 mins here but under 13:58 min. I must have looked at the wrong part and saw the requirement of push ups for the women instead of the run time for the men. Sorry for any confusion.) And also have to pass a written exam, which is pretty easy from what I've heard. These are the requirements for hiring, once on the job you have to be able to wrestle with and restrain combatants, excellent hand eye coordination, good use of all limbs and dexterity, ability to work in well...smelly environments, and of course exposure to potential bodily harm.

Once hired you have a year to get peace officers licensing, which can be done through a community college here and from there you have the option to upgrade to higher licensing as time goes on. I know personally I can expect to be a jailer for a minimum of 1-2years before having a chance to move to patrol or switch departments (ie to constables or police force or troopers) but considering that the places in the police academy are nearly impossible to get without military career time I'll take whatever chance I can.

[tgchar21]

I'm interested in this as well since I am going to join on locally with the county as a sheriff's deputy. Here you start out as a jailer. Just remember they do a very very thorough background check and physical exam -before- you are even considered for the job or academy....so that'd make it pretty impossible to be stealth to the higher ups in the chain of command. I do know on our local police force (from talking to the second in command personally) that two officers have transitioned while on the job on the police force here with little problem. So that is encouraging but a different environment than the sheriff department. We also recently got gender expression protection in my city (though I think most law enforcement has to go by ENDA standards since they get federal money).

Like Sebryn said law enforcement jobs are an exception to the usual rule on what employers are restricted on asking you (which I've touched on before here at Susan's). For example, the application for a police officer in the city where I live asks about things such as your family members and medical history (both of which are verboten on most job applications).

[Jessica Merriman]

Hey guys. Any of you work in law enforcement or corrections? I am looking into a career change, and am interested to hear others experiences. Especially going through a peace officer training academy- how was the environment, how was the physical demands, were you out or stealth? Just looking for any anecdotes or advice. Thanks!

I was a Deputy Sheriff as well as a Corrections Sergeant for three years. There is no way in heck to go stealth, but it will not bar you from service. We had an Oklahoma City officer and ODS1 veteran go through transition while on the job and she was accepted and is still there. Best advice I can give is get yourself into peak physical strength. Focus on running, body stretches and push ups/sit ups. Custody and control evolution is VERY hard and you will lose weight. So eat right, cut out soda's and watch the snacks. Also get ready for a mental beating as they will want to find out how you respond under extreme stress and pressure. Remember this carefully, my first day at the Academy our instructor told us this "The badge will get a lot of dates, but it only takes one date to get the badge". Protect yourself and your integrity and make careful decisions at work AND off duty.

[Sebryn]

Remember this carefully, my first day at the Academy our instructor told us this "The badge will get a lot of dates, but it only takes one date to get the badge". Protect yourself and your integrity and make careful decisions at work AND off duty.

This. My coworker got kicked out for fighting at a bar the night before graduation from training 10 years ago and barred from applying to join again for 10 years. Be very careful with where you are and who is around you at all times. It only takes one night to ruin a career.

And Jessica Merriman...off duty? I heard there was no such thing. 

[Greeneyedrebel]

I spent nearly a decade working in Corrections, and one thing you also may want to keep in mind in the dress/appearance code. These things may not apply to you personally, but perhaps someone else would benefit.

Things like:

-visible tats may be a no-no, and even if visible tats are OK, there may be rules on the nature of the tat, location, etc
-piercings...the rules may specifically state no visible piercings on males, only one earring per ear on females, regs on the size and location of ear piercings, no other facial piercings on females
-rules on facial hair (length, location, style etc)
-hairstyle regs including guidelines on style, length etc, prohibitions on certain colors
-fitted personal protection gear (some smaller departments or certain jobs within a department may require you to provide some items on your own, which can be expensive enough to buy once but if you have to account for changes in body makeup can be prohibitive)
-the mental health portions of background check, pre-employment psych tests
-if you work in the jails or in corrections the inmates will likely have long memories, so as you undergo changes this may be information they attempt to use in an effort to manipulate you or get to you mentally/emotionally
-some sections of the jails/prison may be required by law and regs to be staffed with officers of a certain gender (housing units for example) and  they may be required to go by legal definition rather than how you present or identify.....considering the difficulties in some states with getting a legal sex marker change that could get uncomfortable and be limiting for your career

I don't mean to dissuade you from a noble ad satisfying career....but having been there and been a Lt. for 4 of those years, regs and what those with heavier collars have to say or think don't leave much wiggle room at all. I hope the department or agency you are considering has some good EOE and LGBT policies.

[Sebryn]

-the mental health portions of background check, pre-employment psych tests
-if you work in the jails or in corrections the inmates will likely have long memories, so as you undergo changes this may be information they attempt to use in an effort to manipulate you or get to you mentally/emotionally

For the mental health background I've been told simply to not lie or omit anything. List everything, being diagnosed with severe depression, depression, or dysphoria...or any mental health issues does not automatically take you out of the runnings for a job. Lying does. Same goes for listing all of your employers for the last 10 years. Every single one. Including employers who employed you under your old name. They go by your social security number.

As far as inmates and their memories goes I completely agree. I have pretty much settled in my physical changes at this point which is why I decide that now is a good time for me. Transitioning while working in a prison is something I could see as being dangerous. You also have to remember that a lot of inmates may have gang connections depending on what city and the size of the city (the one here does) and they share information with each other. Considering many gangs come through corrections on pretty much a revolving door basis this is the biggest risk I could see in our area for someone still early in transition.

The EOE and LGBT practices while good do not always extend to T, so make sure you do your own leg work and research before applying. They finger print all applicants here even if you don't make the cut. If being in 'the system' is something you oppose this may not be the career choice for you.

Like Greeneyedrebel I don't want to discourage anyone from joining law enforcement if this is what you want but there is a very harsh reality that comes with the career choice in regards to your trans status. It can't be kept secret.

[Jessica Merriman]

And Jessica Merriman...off duty? I heard there was no such thing. 

My Therapist is STILL trying to get me to understand I am not in that career anymore, so dial it down a notch.  He would freak if he knew I ran a check on him before our first session!

[Konnor]

Thanks all, very informative responses!! I kind of assumed that, regarding being stealth. The thing I'm worried about is not having had surgery yet. I also wondered if my mental health background might be a hindrance, so I'm glad it's not an automatic DQ. I'm planning to spend the next year doing as much research as possible and getting into peak physical shape. I'm not a couch potato right now but the 11 min mile and a half is still a little out of reach. I was actually looking into putting myself through the peace officers training, I think that's an option. I'll read up on it more. Thanks again for the very helpful information. Best of luck to you, Sebryn!!

[Greeneyedrebel]

Thanks all, very informative responses!! I kind of assumed that, regarding being stealth. The thing I'm worried about is not having had surgery yet. I also wondered if my mental health background might be a hindrance, so I'm glad it's not an automatic DQ. I'm planning to spend the next year doing as much research as possible and getting into peak physical shape. I'm not a couch potato right now but the 11 min mile and a half is still a little out of reach. I was actually looking into putting myself through the peace officers training, I think that's an option. I'll read up on it more. Thanks again for the very helpful information. Best of luck to you, Sebryn!!

Hey, I wish you the best with it!

The thing with the mental health stuff (since I see now I wasn't too clear) is really if there are things you haven't handled. Anger or aggression issues, perhaps other clinical issues (depression you are battling hard without treatment, perhaps undiagnosed BPD or Schizophrenia) etc. Yeah, it seems like these are all things a person might have a clue about in some form, or at least a "I don't feel right" thought somewhere prior to applying for a LEO job......but I can say from experience as a supervisor that it's not always the case.

So make sure all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed that you can at the stage in life/transition that you are in.....and go for it. There is a long story about why I left the profession, but there are also times I really miss it.

[Kyra553]

Currently working as a Sargent Corrections Officer. I've become the village joke around work with my transition. Even after four hard years of working along with these people as a guy. So be prepared for allot of flak and be prepared for it to never end. I suggest to transition before taking the job if you can.  Its pretty easy work for the most part, you just need to learn things like cpr, medical assessments (inmate laying down bleeding out is one), putting up with stupid, and be willing to shoot threats.

[Sebryn]

Thanks for the info Kyra. I figured I'd get some flak but am prepared. Last thing is gender marker changes for me and that's that. I no longer look remotely like a woman, just a very very young guy hah. Might work to my advantage.

I was talking to a friend of mine today who is a trainer for the State Troopers and apparently it is against protocol to leak private information to anyone lower in the chain, which includes gender presentation apparently. I wonder if that goes for the county as well. Do any of you know if it's a departmental protocol or if it may spread across all departments?

I'll keep your secret Jessica. :p

Good luck to you too Konnor. I know personally I could not contemplate working in a prison setting while binding or patrol. I can run better and breath better now that I had surgery, though my ribs are healing somewhat still. Not to mention the heat and humidity of where I live. Also keep in mind that the physical test requirements vary by department and location. Look up the requirements for your local ones and set your goals.

[aleon515]

My Therapist is STILL trying to get me to understand I am not in that career anymore, so dial it down a notch.  He would freak if he knew I ran a check on him before our first session!

This is hilarious!!

--Jay

[Jessica Merriman]

I guess you can take the cop out of the donut shop, but you cant take the donut out of the cop!

[Konnor]

That sounds really rough, Kyra. I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I am pretty much finished transitioning except for top surgery. All of my legal info is changed and I'm about 9 months on T. But like I said I plan to spend the next year training to get myself ready mentally and physically. I have definitely gained a tougher skin on T, but I'll keep working on it. My partner actually works at a university that has an academy, so I've already checked into the physical requirements for it. I'm with you Sebryn, I'm not entirely set on not having surgery before I do this. That's going to require more thought on my part. Greeneyedrebel, I think I'm probably ok as far as the mental health stuff goes then. I'm on depression meds but I see a therapist monthly and things have been so much easier since I started T. Thanks again all; this has given me hope that I can really do this!

[Sebryn]

Just to forewarn you Konnor, I still experienced physical changes on T up until just recently (over 2 years now) in the sense that my face slimmed down and my voice seems to have settled mostly. 9 months is really were it began for the changes for me. The physical appearance changes are the ones the inmates and coworkers will remember, and the voice changes. Though you can pass those off sometimes with the excuse that you have allergies hah.

I too was diagnosed with severe depression Konnor but when I started T and stayed on a consistent dose my depression got better to the point it is manageable without medication, and now it is even better after recovering from my top surgery.

[Konnor]

Well since I'm not planning to even start the academy for another year, I should be past 2 years on T once I finally get a job. So I should be fairly settled as far as changes by then. That's awesome to hear man. My depression has been a million times better since my dose got upped and I started T. I'm hopeful that someday I can cut back or go off completely, but who knows. I hope it gets even better after top surgery. Thanks for all your help Sebryn, I might shoot you a PM if I think of any other questions.

[Sebryn]

Sure thing. Any time you want shoot me a PM. If I don't know the answer or where to point you I'll try to find someone to ask. I'm still researching and prodding my buddies for information. I got my hair chopped today into the conservative cut it needs to be in since I was told that my hair was going to be the first thing to go and to do it before applying. I looked in the mirror and was stunned. I can now have a "macho man" short hair cut without looking like a lesbian.  I wasn't a huge fan of having to do it but now that it's done I quite like it.