[erietdyk]

Originally Posted by MaybeStopCalling

For what it's worth the only guys I know getting into employment with the local agency (TPS) have had Bachelor's degrees, but to each their own. I know the MPs make it mandatory.

TPS carries Gen 3 Glock 22s in Serpa Level 3s, I see the occasional Gen 2 in someone's holster.

Peel carries the M&P .40 in a Safariland ALS holster, probably the 6360.

The MPs I ate lunch with back in 2010 had 9mm Sig Sauer P225s in what looked like Safariland 070s, though I was far less knowledgable at the time.

Fun fact, most, if not all police forces in Canada use DAO pistols- The sole exception are the MPs, but they're an arm of the armed forces. Nobody carries a Beretta anymore, as far as I'm concerned.

I want to get a SERPA for whichever airsoft gun I end up getting, which is one of the main reasons I like the KSC's, as they're 1:1 compared to the RS. Interesting and informative post though, thanks man.

Originally Posted by drk242

my 2 cents i know law enforcement members/services that use/ train with airsoft. i know 226, and systema.

Which services do you know that train with airsoft? Not questioning, just want to know for future reference. Also, any particular brands aside from Systema that they use?

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Don't take this the wrong way, but I wouldn't emphasize too much on the firearms aspect of policing. Unless you're a terrible shot or have low confidence holding one (shaky hands), focus more on experience (customer service jobs are good), character/morals/ethics and volunteering. Don't do anything unethical or immoral (fighting, excessive drinking/partying, 420, etc) from this point on, because it'll bite you in the ass (even your past history might affect your application).

I'm sure they'll have shooting tests that you'll need to pass and you can be 100% accurate, but it won't matter if you don't pass your psychological test. They want to know what kind of person you are. You don't want them to think that you just want to be a constable so that you can carry a gun, because some of the young guys think this way.
YouTube videos on field stripping or having airsoft (which you already have) should be sufficient to learn the basics/principles of handling a firearm (except for firing). They don't expect you to be a pro.

And yes, I did a lot of research in how to get into the force, because I'm interested too. I decided to do carpentry (because I like it) and see in a few years if I still want to become a constable. I heard they generally like to hire people 25-30 even though the minimum is 18, because they want people with more life experience. I think carpentry will do that for me by the time I hit that age bracket, plus I like it.
If you're not on the Blue Line Forum yet, I'd recommend that you go.

I've had customer service jobs in the past, even made supervisor in one of them, so I guess I'm off to a good start there. I've never been in a fight or been in trouble with the law, so I'm good there too.

Obviously I don't want to become an officer just to carry a gun, that'd be a stupid reason to go police. I want to become an officer because I believe I'd be good at upholding laws, and many people in my life have told me I'd be a good one. This is my 3rd diploma, and I'm receiving the best marks I ever had, so I'm guessing they were right. I also know they don't expect me to be a pro, but it's more of a personal thing than actual requirement - if I'm going to be issued a weapon, I'd rather know the ins and outs of it before ever being required to use it in a situation I may need to. Obviously these are only the extreme situations, but OPP are usually posted up north, where there are plenty of Native problems, so I could see myself using it more often within the first 2 years of employment than within the entire rest of my employment.

I've got a fair number of life experience thus far, having worked all across Canada, and having education in two separate fields (Motive Power, and Millwright), so I think I'm on the right path as far as experience goes. I haven't had to deal much with people aside from over the phone, which is why I want to get into a high-traffic security job, like at the London Health Sciences Center, once I graduate.

Thanks for the tips, I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by graff

best part of police foundations is when a cop had an accidental discharge at the college here last year and didn't report it right away.

A guy in my class fired off one of the airsoft guns at a desk accidentally on Friday, and didn't admit to it, even though everyone saw/heard it. Was the fastest I saw my prof kick someone out of the class for the day.