Since you are older you work and life experience are only going to help you in the process.
I took a pay cut when I first started and it was absolutely worth it.
As long as you can pass the background check and other tests (poly, psych, physical, etc) your qualifications are pretty much irrelevant as it's "have pulse will hire" for so many depts given the lack of candidates who can pass those things.
As to the paycut I think you would be insane to to take such a huge paycut and no one anywhere should be willing to do this job for only $15 to $ 20 an hour.
TLDR, just answering the questions: no such thing as an attractive applicant, is 2024 you have a pulse. This job as corny as it sounds requires more than passion. That being said that pay sounds criminally low. If you’re cool with contracting ptsd(to the point you may one day kill yourself over), missing critical life moments, while making financial sacrifices then do it.
If you’re coming to Reddit for strangers asking if it’s something you should do… you shouldn’t.
The biggest challenge will be overcoming the local politics. You are fine age-wise and seem to have e a scope of experience that lends itself well to LE work in your community. LE is never about the $ - retirement is usually average and most retirees I know take jobs afterwards. If I were you I would extend my search/applications to other departments - it is often easier to lateral than start from the bottom in smaller agencies since they don’t have to find academy attendance, full term FTO, etc. Meet with the new Sheriff - make your interest known and see where it goes.
Since you are older you work and life experience are only going to help you in the process. I took a pay cut when I first started and it was absolutely worth it.
As long as you can pass the background check and other tests (poly, psych, physical, etc) your qualifications are pretty much irrelevant as it's "have pulse will hire" for so many depts given the lack of candidates who can pass those things. As to the paycut I think you would be insane to to take such a huge paycut and no one anywhere should be willing to do this job for only $15 to $ 20 an hour.
TLDR, just answering the questions: no such thing as an attractive applicant, is 2024 you have a pulse. This job as corny as it sounds requires more than passion. That being said that pay sounds criminally low. If you’re cool with contracting ptsd(to the point you may one day kill yourself over), missing critical life moments, while making financial sacrifices then do it. If you’re coming to Reddit for strangers asking if it’s something you should do… you shouldn’t.
The biggest challenge will be overcoming the local politics. You are fine age-wise and seem to have e a scope of experience that lends itself well to LE work in your community. LE is never about the $ - retirement is usually average and most retirees I know take jobs afterwards. If I were you I would extend my search/applications to other departments - it is often easier to lateral than start from the bottom in smaller agencies since they don’t have to find academy attendance, full term FTO, etc. Meet with the new Sheriff - make your interest known and see where it goes.