My Intro...

[RyanP]

Ryan Piggott, Currently 17 years old, about to turn 18 here shortly.
Freshman at Sacramento State, Criminal Justice major.
I am at the very beginning of the long process of becoming a CHP officer.
I have already started getting myself in shape... I figure start getting in shape now and in four years when i have my CJ degree and am trying to get into the CHP academy I will be exceeding the physical needs making for one less thing to worry about. Push ups and sit ups every day, and riding my bike constantly (although I'll be making the switch from bike riding to running shortly). I'm clean as a whistle... never have I smoked anything or sipped any alcohol, and won't even do so when I'm of legal age.
I have some vehicle-control experience (off-road racing) and plan on going to the shooting range often. I'm hoping to be able to have a good handle on these things so I can focus more on studying at the academy.

I am interested in becoming a CHP officer because I believe protecting people from others that are up to no good is a rewarding job and an interesting one as well.

A tiny bit about me...
I spend all my spare time working on my trucks, a '71 F100 off-road race truck I built myself starting from age 12, and a '69 f250 4x4 I started frame-off restoring at age 14 and am currently dropping a Cummins into it.

Everyone likes pictures right?
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6333550407_7ed1fefaba_z.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6334304008_d4970cc67b_z.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk294/bumpsidekid/strawberry%20pass%20august%202011/DSCF7703.jpg

So if you see these trucks, don't pull them over. :lol:
Kidding!

Anyone near Folsom looking to go on some runs?

[Paul B]

So it looks like EVOC won't be a problem for you either:lol:

[RyanP]

Yeah :lol:
EVOC shouldn't be much of a challenge for me, i hope. Been driving in the dirt since I was 12 practicing losing control of the truck :lol:
I've seen some tricky stuff at EVOC training though that has more to do with reflex and response time though.

[Vinnie]

it's not too late... change your major. you can't sell yourself as anything but a cop with a CJ degree (like mine), but with a tech, business, legal, or other background, you're much more marketable, and it's that much less school you have to attend later when you decide to become marketable.

to any police dept, a BS is a BS is a BS (or BA for that matter). don't fool yourself into thinking a college degree in fairytale policing/corrections is going to give you an edge.

welcome to the forums!

[iwanttobeCHP]

Hey there bud,

You and I are in the same boat, I have been on this forum for a few months now and it has been very informational. FREELOAD on as much info from these veteran CHP officers, they know their stuff. Don't be offended by anything and don't take anything personal, if this is the career you want stick to your motivation. You got your head on straight I wish I had your mindset when I was your age. I have applied to 30+ agencies thinking they were all the same but til I did a ride along with the CHP in February 2011 I decided this is the career I want more than anything. Blah, blah, blah I know but keep your head on straight, stay focused and determined. As for the drug and alcohol thing it sounds like you're squared away but stay away from girls til after you graduate the academy. HAHA if mine saw me writing this she'd be kicking my butt, but kidding aside start your future first. :cool:

[SlowZ28]

it's not too late... change your major. you can't sell yourself as anything but a cop with a CJ degree (like mine), but with a tech, business, legal, or other background, you're much more marketable, and it's that much less school you have to attend later when you decide to become marketable.

to any police dept, a BS is a BS is a BS (or BA for that matter). don't fool yourself into thinking a college degree in fairytale policing/corrections is going to give you an edge.

welcome to the forums!


Great advice.

I would say the world needs more technical people out there, get your degree in Automotive Engineering since you obviously have a passion for cars, or something similarly technical.

Either way welcome to the site and good luck with your application!

[The Broadcaster]

it's not too late... change your major. you can't sell yourself as anything but a cop with a CJ degree (like mine), but with a tech, business, legal, or other background, you're much more marketable, and it's that much less school you have to attend later when you decide to become marketable.

to any police dept, a BS is a BS is a BS (or BA for that matter). don't fool yourself into thinking a college degree in fairytale policing/corrections is going to give you an edge.

welcome to the forums!

+1... I knew I wanted to be a chippie since high school, but I majored in marine biology in college. I figured if I became a cop and decided I hated it, I wouldn't be pigeon holed into a career that wasn't right for me. The department still hired me without a CJ degree, and now I've got some nifty science training (which still comes in handy now and then) AND I've got the coolest job ever.

[RyanP]

Well, I'm in mechanical engineering right now, and not really diggin' it.
I reviewed all the other possible major's and none of the interested me except Criminal Justice so I'll stick with it and pursue the only career path that interests me. A lot of people think I should do something automotive or mechanical related but the truth is, I hate working on cars, unless it's one of my vehicles or a buddies. New cars suck!
I like fabricating, but only on my own vehicles. Fabricating something non-offroad related would be real boring for me.

I'm certain I will love this field, It's interested me for a LONG time now.

Just cranked out 50 pushups, I was barely able to do 25 a week ago :cool:
Should see 100 in not too long :biggrin:

1 week into working out... 5 years to go

[Bradley]

Well, I'm in mechanical engineering right now, and not really diggin' it.
I reviewed all the other possible major's and none of the interested me except Criminal Justice so I'll stick with it and pursue the only career path that interests me. A lot of people think I should do something automotive or mechanical related but the truth is, I hate working on cars, unless it's one of my vehicles or a buddies. New cars suck!
I like fabricating, but only on my own vehicles. Fabricating something non-offroad related would be real boring for me.

I'm certain I will love this field, It's interested me for a LONG time now.

Just cranked out 50 pushups, I was barely able to do 25 a week ago :cool:
Should see 100 in not too long :biggrin:

1 week into working out... 5 years to go

The concern here is unforeseen speed bumps that limit or deny access to a law enforcement career. Speaking from a civilian point of view (someone who interviews and hires on a weekly basis), CJ degrees bring little to the table outside the LE industry. What happens if you're injured in an academy (or racing trucks) and can no longer peruse a career? You'll need some kind of job, and best to have a useful degree elsewhere. In a field where a degree is not required (albeit helpful) why lock yourself into something which locks yourself into a specific industry?

Vinnie's point is spot on - the CHP academy (I'll assume) will teach you everything you need to know, and your on the job training phase will build on that.

[Iceman]

I've been an officer with the patrol for 13+ years and have a degree in CJ. The two academic fields that have served me best in this career are English and a drafting class I took in high school for college credit (can you say lots of reports and factual diagrams!!!). Not to say that investigation courses and search and seizure haven't helped, but they are well covered in the academy.

[Iceman]

...as for a good back up plan/major...something with a heavy computer emphasis would probably serve you well.

[highway sentinel]

I have an Associate of Science degree in Social and Behavioral Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. Like Vinnie said, it is helpful to build yourself as a well-rounded person, just in case life changes alter the course significantly.

However, I can remember being 17 and wanting nothing more than to be a CHP Officer, come hell or high water. I'm 29 now and am thankful that as I grew, I avoided becoming too myopic with regard to my higher education and career path.

Oh yeah, enjoy being 17 first... what a great time in life, looking back.