The time is ideal to pursue a career in law enforcement. So how can you prepare? One of the best ways to prepare for entering and advancing in a law enforcement career is by earning a bachelor’s degree. Nearly all federal law enforcement agencies require a degree, and the national trend amongst major law enforcement agencies is to require a bachelor’s degree for any promotional consideration. Earning a bachelor’s degree will not only make you eligible for additional career opportunities in this field, but it will also provide future opportunities to expand into teaching and consulting as a law enforcement expert.
Special Advisory:
Prospective applicants should be advised that all law enforcement agencies do background checks on their applicants to review an applicant’s criminal record, credit, and his or her DMV driving record.  An applicant’s background check is typically a deciding factor in whether or not the applicant is a hirable candidate.
Dennis Porter is a Senior Law Enforcement Education Coordinator at American Public University System.  He retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs’ Department in 2005 after 30 years of service. While there his work included assignments in court services and processing, patrol, transit policing, detectives, gangs, and bureau of compliance. In this and past roles, he assisted with the creation of law enforcement corporate facilities, including the Los Angeles Sheriffs’ Department University, the Fraternal Order of Police University, Los Angeles Police Department University, and the Sheriffs’ University, Orange County Sheriffs’ Department.
American Public University System, through its member American Military University, is a proud partner of each of these law enforcement universities. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications, including,“College for Cops,†with Richard Weintraub, 2007, American Police Beat.’; “Taggers: Graffiti Vandals or Violent Criminals?†with John Maxwell, 1996, Police Marksman; and “Lessons Learned from Stinging the Taggers,†with John Maxwell, 1992, Transit Policing Vol. 2 No. 1. Dennis has a bachelor’s in anthropology from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s in human resource management from the Keller Graduate School.
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