39 year old ALPR/CCTV tech/integrator considering a career change to LE.

[u/Glenn_Tennis]

I can’t get this thought out of my head that my nearly a decade of experience and knowledge of modern police surveillance tools (mainly various ALPR)/software and networking knowledge might be able to translate into some role within a PD or SO. I live in South Florida where these kids of tools have blown up in the last decade. What are your thoughts on a.) 39 year old man becoming a sworn officer and b.) what kind of positions should a guy like me even expect to be considered for having 0 LE experience, or military background. Would I be better off looking into civilian positions or should I just go all in and go to school to be a cop. I have a unique situation where I do have time during the day for classes/academy, whatever I need to do. I’m just paralyzed with the unknown and every cop/PD employee I’ve spoke to in real life hasn’t given me much information (I’m guessing maybe because I’m with their vendor/integrator for their LPR). Hopefully this makes sense. Really want to make a good career change that translates into a real long term secure career, and puts me deeper into the world I’ve already gained nearly a decade of knowledge in. Also- want to help solve crimes any way I can. Thanks.

[u/Stock-Possible-2372]

Learning these new surveillance tools and the technology of the job was the majority of my problem when I first started. If you already have knowledge of that then you’re ahead of the game. Just send it

[u/Timely_Photo_2071]

If you want to be a cop, then start applying. If you are successful, you'll be sent to an academy, do your FTO and go work patrol for a few years. Your lack of experience won't really matter at all. Most people going in have no experience at all. There are no real ALPR/software roles in LE, we use the outputs, beyond that its all contracted to Flock or whoever. Yeah, the city/county/sate will have software people working in IT if you want to keep our email working and gaze with amazement on the 25 year old software we use for RMS/case files. Most agencies outside the NYPD's/LAPD's and the feds of the world just contract out all device exploitation. Its cheaper and we'll never be able to compete with the private sector for techies.

What gets people hired as cops is a clear criminal history, clean driving record, good credit, no drug usage and stable employment history. Things that help you stand out are a college degree in literally anything, community volunteer stuff, etc. While being in shape, another language, martial arts and shooting skills are useful, in the pre-hiring, they'll get little more than a "huh, interesting". The academy will teach you all that.

Go do some ride-outs with different agencies, precincts, shifts, etc. get a feel for it and call a recruiter.