Age

[Natedagreat]

I am currently 20 years old and I will be turning 21 in the fall of this year. I am currently in the hiring process and I am waiting to take my written test (for the second time) in Feb. My question is, am I getting ahead of myself by getting into this process at my age? It seems to me that most officers began the process when they were in their late 20s. And I am told that most agencies, including the CHP, like people that have more life experience before they can become officers.

[Kojak]

Nate,
You're not getting ahead of yourself, getting in the process early is a good idea. You mentioned that you will be taking the written for a second time so you are probably aware that joining the CHP is not an easy undertaking and the process can take a while (a year or more) before you get a recommendation to go the academy. In all likelihood you will turn 21 long before you get through the hiring process. There is an excellent resource that you should take the time to read call the Applicant Study Guide. This guide should answer about 99% of any questions you might have, for the other 1% there are a lot of knowledgable folks in this forum who can help you out. Remember, complete honestly will be your biggest asset throughout the hiring process. Good luck! Oh, do a search for the guide, I know it is on the CHP website and I think someone made a link to it on this forum.

[undertow999]

You should be fine. It is very unlikely you will get a recommendation for an academy class within 8 - 12 months, especially with all the testing going on throughout the state. To give you come perspective, I have been in the hiring process since June of last year. Like many will tell you on this site, this process if alot of hurry up and wait. Just make sure you are completelly honest with your personal history statement and with everything throughout the process. Also, it wouldnt hurt to start your physical training NOW. Good luck on the written. Keep us posted on how you do.

[redhead]

.....I think someone made a link to it on this forum.

Right here in the Library (http://www.chpforums.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=27)

Good luck in the process.

[resipsa]

Theoretically, you can receive a great score on your QAP whether you are 20 or 35...it depends on your interview. Don't let age be a determining factor of whether you keep trying to move forward in the process or not. It takes a minimum of one year from the date you mail in your first scantron application and then take your first written exam, so you may already be 21 (or older) by the time you earn a passing score on the QAP. Since you will be 20 in February 2006 when you take the written test again, your age qualifies according to CHP minimum requirements below. Good luck!

FYI from http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/html/oqualifications.html

Minimum Qualifications for Cadet, CHP

Age:
20-35 years of age (as of written test date).

Vision:
The candidate must read from a standard Eye Test chart.
If eyeglasses or hard contact lenses are worn, uncorrected vision must be no less than 20/40 in each eye and corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Applicants who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for the past 12 months are not required to meet an uncorrected standard, as long as their corrected vision is 20/20 in each eye. Normal color vision is required as assessed by the Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 test. An X-Chrom Lens is prohibited.

Health:
Good health. Must be free from any physical, mental or emotional condition that would prohibit the full performance of all the essential duties and functions of a CHP officer.

Education:
High school diploma, GED, or California High School Proficiency Examination.

Highly desirable: possession of a degree, Associate of Arts or higher, from an accredited college; also, additional course work or advanced skills in the following areas: English, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and composition; reading and comprehension; mathematics (used for traffic accident calculations); typing and computer skills (many officers use computers for reports, and most patrol vehicles currently have or will have computers); bilingual; physical fitness; other helpful courses may be social sciences such as sociology and psychology.

Conduct:
No felony convictions and good personal conduct; must possess a California driver license upon appointment to the Academy. The CHP has strict guidelines relating to the personal characteristics required for employment as a law enforcement officer. During the QAP Oral Interview, and later during the Background Investigation, a candidate is evaluated relative to an established set of automatic disqualification criteria. Candidates are asked questions relating to the RECENCY AND FREQUENCY of traffic citations, at-fault automobile collisions, illegal drug usage, arrests and convictions.

If you have any concerns regarding whether you may have an issue in your background which may lead to disqualification, it is highly recommended that you contact the CHP Applicant Investigation Unit for assistance PRIOR TO beginning the selection process. While our investigators cannot divulge the CHP's specific disqualification criteria, through a candid dialogue with you they can provide guidance and assistance in helping you evaluate your personal characteristics as they relate to the CHP's automatic disqualification criteria. The Cadet Hiring Unit can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) at (916) 375-2180.

Citizenship:
United States Citizen or permanent resident immigrant who is eligible and has applied for citizenship; must be a United States citizen at time of appointment.

[Mac]

I know a number of people who applied at 20 and came on the job at 21 - myself included (which, I guess, probably dashes to hell an accusation by somebody in another thread that I have something against young people coming on the job). :badgrin: It's a great idea to start that young, because you're looking at being able to retire with a full pension when you're 51 years old - definitely not a bad thing.

As far as life experience and all....if you can prove through the hiring process that you're mature and squared away enough to make good decisions as a law enforcement officer, any department will hire you...it would be foolhardy to discount somebody straight away just because of their age or supposed lack of "life experience". Some people are very mature and experienced at 21, while others are nothing but children in a grown body. I've seen 21-year olds that I'd gladly have as a beat partner, and others who I wouldn't trust to bag my french fries or wash the windows on my car!

[Tom]

When I was 21 - I was a soup sandwich. I was not ready to have as much responsibility that I know have. Everybody is different. Go for it!

Tom

[dw]

I am currently 20 years old and I will be turning 21 in the fall of this year. I am currently in the hiring process and I am waiting to take my written test (for the second time) in Feb. My question is, am I getting ahead of myself by getting into this process at my age? It seems to me that most officers began the process when they were in their late 20s. And I am told that most agencies, including the CHP, like people that have more life experience before they can become officers.

Go for it. Be retired when you're 51.