I have Asperger's and I want to go into law enforcement.

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I know this is an old thread, but I found it because I was recently began the process of being diagnosed and wanted to see what others experiences have been in Law Enforcement.

I just left law enforcement after 10 years and I feel that social interaction abilities will be the make or break point for this career. After college I began as a line level correctional officer; with time I made promotions into several different state agencies working on multiple federal task forces, and eventually ascending to SWAT as an operator and then becoming the team medic.

Here are my thoughts based on those experiences:
The positives for me were the ability to absorb academic information, policy, procedure etc., the ability to follow linear patterns just like catamount noted, my love of repitition made me a great operator because I will practice support side weapon hand off and other techniques over and over, my one track mind made me great for learning everything possible about my field from weapons, medical, tactics, gangs, drugs, EVERYTHING, the time spent in solo work was also great, and my eye for detail, ability to pick up patterns, etc.

The negatives: DEALING WITH COWORKERS! My obsession with information did not bode well with coworkers; they just thought I was a know it all. When put in team environments like SWAT I had trouble socializing with the type A personality guys and was seen as awkward, stand offish, or a jerk by those who did not get to know me outside of the group environment. I have very tight bonds still with those who do know me. And the biggest thing was dealing with supervisors, natural abilities made me seem like a threat and lack of ability to understand social cues made it hard for me to perceive my bosses feeling putting me deeper in their hole. Inevitably, this led to a lot of anxiety and eventually made the job unbearable.

Now, I work part time at an elementary school with children with autism and children with B.E.D. and do consulting work in self defense, fitness, and asset protection.

+1

Law enforcement needs social skills for two reasons...

Dealing with the public at large.

Dealing with co-workers.

The first isn't all that hard if you remember you are to be professional with the public (and aren't so symptomatic that you really aren't suited for the line of work).

The second is much harder because just getting hired is more about how well you fit in than your ability to do the job.

I always wanted to be in law enforcement, but decided against it, because of my Asperger's. Any sort of stress and I freak out, which would be a disaster if I'm on the police force.

Police dispatching could be brilliant for Asperger's. I have nine years answering 911 and dispatching police/fire/rescue. There is no public contact except by phone, working long shifts in a room with two other people means that a) they get to know you and your quirks and b) you aren't a police officer so you don't have to live and breathe police work when you are off duty.
I think I will start a separate thread on this subject as people who have decidedly not considered law enforcement could make great dispatchers.