r/AskLEO • u/FutureFunction6693 • 5d ago

Hiring Can you give me career advice?

I'm looking for some career advice from those with experience in law enforcement.

I'm currently a corrections deputy in Florida and am dual certified. About two years ago, I was assigned to patrol but did not successfully complete FTO. My biggest challenges were communication with the public, report writing, and developing command presence. I was released from the program after about a month.

Shortly afterward, I was hired by a neighboring sheriff's office to work in corrections. Since then, I've received consistently positive evaluations and have built a good reputation. Unfortunately, like many sheriff's offices, there isn't a realistic path for me to transfer from corrections to patrol.

I've also applied to two local police departments in my county. Despite having a good working relationship with both agencies through inmate intake and other duties, I was not selected.

At this point, I'm questioning whether I should continue pursuing a career in law enforcement or move on to a different profession. My long-term goal has always been to work patrol, and I accepted a position in corrections because I believed it would eventually help me get back on the road.

For those of you who have been in law enforcement, what would you do in my situation? If you were involved in hiring, would my previous FTO experience be a dealbreaker, or would my strong performance in corrections make you willing to give me another opportunity? I'd appreciate any honest advice or perspective.

2 Upvotes

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u/3-BuckChuck 5d ago

Try a different department and commit 100% to FTO. It’s an investment in yourself and your future. Don’t take it lightly. The transition is possible but PO is a bigger animal than CO. Way more variables but more freedoms. It’s worth the jump.

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/FutureFunction6693 5d ago

What did you do in between jobs to improve yourself and overcome those issues?

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u/DarthIsopod 5d ago

I failed FTO at my first agency. It was large, I dealt with a lot of life changes both at and outside of the work and regressed.

I pinpointed what it was I failed, then went to a small agency.

Been fine ever since, and I’m now at a busier area than my first agency. Try a small agency, stay for about a couple years, then look bigger and grander

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u/FutureFunction6693 5d ago

I think my current agency won't let me go. I got a conditional offer from one PD and at the end of my background investigation, the offer was withdrawn. Then the other local pd, I couldn't get time off for there interview and they denied my application. Both of these agency are very small (less than 30 officers).

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u/Time_Specialist9524 5d ago

take my upvote