Taylor

Even smaller agencies would be an issue as far as patrol goes. Remember, smaller agencies work on smaller budgets so you would be more likely to be alone covering a larger area.

As for criminal justice degrees, I would first explore the options available to you in the law enforcement field outside of patrol. Contact some agencies and see what positions they have available, and what positions they have (even if not hiring). It will help you gauge what the availability is. I spoke with an instructor at a college offering criminal justice degrees. His words to me were that everyone in his class had no chance of ever becoming police. A degree does not mean a job. I would explore what your chances would be PRIOR to forking over the money for criminal justice. With that said, it was previously mentioned that there are a lot of fields that would be better suited for you...and if education will take you places in that, then go for it. Just dont get the impression that a CJ degree means a law enforecement position.

I think this is true for other fields as well. Prior to becoming law enforcement, I was a disc jockey on the radio. I would frequently see people come in to intern that had spent a lot of money going to broadcasting school. The problem is that degree does not land you a job in radio. I saw many people with the attitude that if they spent a few thousand going to school, they would come out being the next Howard Stern...and that could not be further from the truth. A lot of people paid their money and then had a rude awakening of what it was really like to work at a radio station. On the other hand, I never went to broadcasting school. My career started by writing a letter to a disc jockey back when I was in high school. He actually responded and invited me in...and I landed my first radio job.

I am not discouraging you at all for furthering your education...just be sure to do your research and make sure that your college dollars are well spent on what would be beneficial to your career choice.