Become a Cop for the ASPCA
New York State Location
To become an officer for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, you must live in, or be willing to relocate to, New York state. The ASPCA notes, "The ASPCA's HLE (Humane Law Enforcement) division has powers to investigate cruelty in the state of New York only. We do not employ officers for agencies across the nation." The agency's web site also notes, "All ASPCA HLE officers must reside in New York State and be eligible for certification as a New York State Peace Officer. " Although there are humane law enforcement jobs in other states, they are not with the ASPCA.
Submit Resume and Cover Letter
The first step in becoming an officer for the ASPCA is to submit a resume. You may do this whether there are any vacant positions. Your resume will be put on file and reviewed when there is an opening for a humane law enforcement officer. To find out whether there are current openings, visit the ASPCA web site and click on the "Jobs at ASPCA" link. If there are law enforcement officer openings, a form will be provided for you to automatically submit your resume. If there are no openings listed, you may submit your resume by sending an e-mail to hr@aspca.org.
Minimum Requirements
You must meet the minimum requirements for becoming a certified peace officer in New York state, as well as the minimum requirements set forth by the ASPCA before you can become an officer for them. These requirements include that, at the time of the application, you are at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of New York state, bond-able and you must possess a New York driver's license. You must also be able to pass a background investigation, which will include a criminal background check. Not all criminal convictions will disqualify you from becoming a cop for the ASPCA, but you must be honest about your background.
Classes and Training
Although the ASPCA will provide the required training for you to become certified as a peace officer in New York state, you can increase your chance of being hired by taking related classes. Many colleges and technical schools offer criminal justice classes that help prepare you to become a cop for the ASPCA, but even more valuable training can be obtained by working as a law enforcement officer for another agency or by volunteering as a reserve law enforcement officer. The ASPCA web site notes that the organization does not require previous training or experience, but does give preference to individuals who have law enforcement experience.
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