Mosaicmind Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I have had one of my 7 kids homeschool thru high school but we used American School and I didn't have to do anything. Now, we are down to only 3 school age boys at home and 2 are homeschooled and absolutely never going back to ps, this is a long story. The boys are in 8th and 9th grade mainly with each doing some work in grades above them. My 9th grade son, Samuel, aspires to go into the Army and be an MP then after he's out he will continue in law enforcement. I have 2 older sons in the Airforce so I know about what the military is looking for and expects from a potential recruit. I just need some ideas for good electives that Sam could take which would serve him in his potential career in law enforcement. Give me any ideas you may have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chess Dad Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I'm coming to a close in my Law Enforcement career but I clearly remember when I started 20 years ago. The first piece of advice I would offer would be not to major in Law Enforcement. You can take LE classes or minor in it, but having a college degree is what LE departments like to see (Sociology,Management, etc). LE departments also likes military experience, even if it's reserve/guard experience. They also like honest, mature, Type A personalities. Your son cannot be passive or scared to take on a challenge. He will be in many conflicts as a police officer, so it's imperative that he learns to handle conflict, stay in good shape, and train. Your son also needs to understand that he will have an opportunity to help many people BUT that there are many out there that don't want help or can't be helped. Don't take it personally. Another issue, that is not politically correct but true is dealing with racial/cultural issues. He must understand that there are people out there that will hate him because he is a police officer. Black officers are called uncle toms and the N word by drunks, Whites are called cracker, other races are also called names. It will happen. Again, don't take it personally. Let me end on a good note: Looking back over my 20 years as a police office, it has been extremely rewarding overall. I've gotten to help many, do many different jobs, Narcotics Detective is my current position, has been my favorite. If LE is what your son wants than support his dream! Jim :patriot: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I don't know if you have something like Teen Court near you. Ds was introduced to it during a Law Studies class at PS. Here is the textbook they used in class. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I would think Psychology, Sociology, Forensic Science (The Great Courses and The Home Scientist Lab), anything that encourages Leadership, Martial Arts, Culture Studies...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarynB Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 My FIL is a police detective. He'd add to the above suggestions: the study of a foreign language. In our part of the country, the most useful one would be Spanish. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 And if there's a local "police explorer" program or such, that's a good idea to join. Friend also mentioned Civil Air Patrol as being good general preparation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Martial arts would be a great thing to start now -- ideally one that focuses on controls rather than on striking.Spanish is another thing that takes years to learn and is really necessary. There are other useful languages depending on the part of the country you're in, but it's a lot more challenging to learn them at home. Psychology and sociology are great suggestions. There's another course aimed at PS students that should be adaptable called Street Law -- a course in practical law. Rainbow resource sells the textbook. You might also look into including communication courses, especially nonverbal communication, but being able to write and speak well will stand him in good stead as well. As far as the rest, a solid college-prep curriculum will serve him will both in preparing for the military and in preparing for college which is required in many areas now. I have a friend who was in the Marines and wanted to do law enforcement, but he was not able to get hired anywhere where he lived without doing the bachelor's degree first. Unfortunately, the trend of requiring a bachelor's degree for every. single. job. is continuing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 FutureLearn is running a course starting in Oct. GAVL has a LE course, helpful to see what a hs elective looks like. Ask the local PD/FD is they have some sort of "junior officer" program. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlotteb Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 DS (who just graduated from homeschooling last year) plans to be a police officer too. Over a year ago, we got a hold of our local police department and signed him up for a ride along. He got to spend 8 hours with a police officer and ask all the questions he wanted. He was advised that while they don't list a college degree as a requirement, it is definitely very encouraged. They have so many people who apply to be police officers, so its a very competitive job. Only the best will be considered. They also said that 8 out of 10 people who apply, don't even make it through the first round of applications. You have to have a clean criminal and driving record. Also, they want to see someone who's done volunteering with the local police during their young adult years. You have to make yourself known to them to boost your chances of getting hired. Most police departments have websites with volunteer listings on it. If not, you can just go ask your local PD. DS plans to major in criminal justice. He is currently finishing his associates degree at a community college, and then will transfer to a large university for the bachelor of criminal justice. One of his favorite classes we did in high school was forensic science. I found a great curriculum online and he loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deee Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Charlotte could you link to the forensics curriculum? Thanks! D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlotteb Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 It was called "Forensic Science for High School Students". I tried to link it, but my copy/paste is being weird. The Authors are John Funkhouser and Barbara Deslich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosaicmind Posted September 30, 2015 Author Share Posted September 30, 2015 I'm coming to a close in my Law Enforcement career but I clearly remember when I started 20 years ago. The first piece of advice I would offer would be not to major in Law Enforcement. You can take LE classes or minor in it, but having a college degree is what LE departments like to see (Sociology,Management, etc). LE departments also likes military experience, even if it's reserve/guard experience. They also like honest, mature, Type A personalities. Your son cannot be passive or scared to take on a challenge. He will be in many conflicts as a police officer, so it's imperative that he learns to handle conflict, stay in good shape, and train. Your son also needs to understand that he will have an opportunity to help many people BUT that there are many out there that don't want help or can't be helped. Don't take it personally. Another issue, that is not politically correct but true is dealing with racial/cultural issues. He must understand that there are people out there that will hate him because he is a police officer. Black officers are called uncle toms and the N word by drunks, Whites are called cracker, other races are also called names. It will happen. Again, don't take it personally. Let me end on a good note: Looking back over my 20 years as a police office, it has been extremely rewarding overall. I've gotten to help many, do many different jobs, Narcotics Detective is my current position, has been my favorite. If LE is what your son wants than support his dream! Jim :patriot: Yep, I know that about law enforcement. After the Army he will decide which major to choose. We actually have several family and friends in the field and none of them but one got a degree. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlotteb Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 The first piece of advice I would offer would be not to major in Law Enforcement. You can take LE classes or minor in it, but having a college degree is what LE departments like to see (Sociology,Management, etc). So, my DS's plans are to major in Criminal Justice, before applying to the police department. Is that a bad idea?? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlotteb Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pehp Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 In addition to the good suggestions above, I would think a (very basic) constitutional law course would be helpful, focusing on the Bill of Rights in particular. Fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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