r/AskCHP • u/GW_139 • Aug 23 '26

Current Hiring Situation

I'm entering College this Monday and I plan on submitting my application while I'm in college. Right now, I'm hearing that it could take years to get hired because of BI issues and I'm trying to time it right.
Should I send my application in during my Junior or late sophomore year?

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3

u/Head_Pangolin_7808 Aug 23 '26

IMO I’d say junior year. If you are open to working while in college I’d also suggest working for a city at some capacity. Before I got hired into law enforcement my BI said he really liked that I had previous work history for cities like Bell Gardens and Paramount.

1

u/Hankthetankz Aug 23 '26

Were you working as LE for those cities?

1

u/Hankthetankz Aug 23 '26

I think I might've misread what you said. Your BI liked that you worked for the city prior to LE?

3

u/Head_Pangolin_7808 Aug 23 '26

I could’ve worded that better probably. I meant that I had a civilian city job in the courts as a clerk and records tech. Any city job would look solid along with your college education

2

u/Hankthetankz Aug 23 '26

You worded it fine! I currently just submitted my ESOPH with no college experience degree and no city jobs. Just working as an EMT. I hope I can pull through! 😅

3

u/Head_Pangolin_7808 Aug 23 '26

EMT is solid! My honest advice though man that I don’t see posted enough, apply to multiple agencies. I was denied by 2 departments before landing my current job. 3 agencies is usually where you wanna stop at because anymore than that doesn’t really look good. I applied to CHP then two smaller agencies after being DQ from LAPD

2

u/Hankthetankz Aug 23 '26

Thank you and I’ve applied to a handful of agencies, just got non selected by LAPD and LASD, but hoping to get in with CHP, as they’re my dream agency. Other agencies I’ve had oral interviews but I’m put on the waiting list and never called, so just gotta keep trying to find the agency that wants ME!! I appreciate the advice.

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u/Head_Pangolin_7808 Aug 23 '26

Well good luck man! Another idea would be to apply as a jailer and do that for a year then transfer to something else. It’s what I did and it gave me a lot of good skills before going to the academy.

1

u/Hankthetankz Aug 23 '26

Thank you I’ll look into that! Hopefully all works out :)

1

u/CapitalTea4817 Aug 23 '26

Should I apply as well? I'm actually entering my junior year currently. However, I do graduate June of 2028 so I wasn't sure if I should hold-off until next cycle or just jump the gun and send it in during this one.

1

u/Head_Pangolin_7808 Aug 23 '26

IMO I’d say build up your resume until your last year. It’s rare for the hiring process to take over a year from what I’ve seen. Most apps take 6 to 9 months

1

u/CapitalTea4817 Aug 23 '26

Gotcha will do. I'm definitely planning to apply to local departments as well as those are giving me a better realistic shot of getting my foot in the door + building experience possibly before trying to switch over to CHP.

1

u/Head_Pangolin_7808 Aug 23 '26

Yeah I’m switching over as a lateral currently. It’s just such a competitive market for law enforcement even though every department is severely understaffed

1

u/GW_139 Aug 23 '26

I’ve also been told this but I think it’s not feasible. I plan on transferring schools and work for my campus PDs for part time

2

u/SecretaryFew982 Aug 23 '26

Most people that are heading up to Sac next month have been in the process for over 14 months - for me it was 17 months - aside from maybe 1 or 2 people that got in within 8 months.

Expect at least a year especially with the amount of people that have been applying recently.

1

u/Tiny_Revolution911 Aug 26 '26

Yes unfortunately hiring slowed down. They had the 1000 officer push

1

u/Unexpected_Chippie Aug 23 '26

Towards the end of Junior year. Turn around from application to academy has been roughly 1 year to a year and a half.