Even agencies that advertise job openings in local papers require considerable time before hiring takes place—the hiring process is long and involved. It requires many checks and rechecks to ensure that the best possible candidates are selected. Some agencies have an application process that lasts upwards of a year. Others are more commonly done in a matter of months. Patience is absolutely necessary as you apply for jobs at law enforcement agencies.

Some departments will accept resumes at all times, stockpiling a list of potential candidates for the possibility of a sudden opening. In these cases, chiefs often reserve the right to forward a formal application to those that they consider more desirable than others based upon the resume and cover letter. Sometimes, an application is preceded by a phone call inquiring if there is still interest in the job, and such a call can come any time after the initial letter and resume have been sent.

Larger departments and most federal agencies tend to take longer in the hiring process than small local departments. In most cases, this is due to the immediate need to fill openings. Due to the scale of a small agency, a single opening represents a huge portion of the work force. With larger departments, it is a comparatively small percentage. The smaller the agency, the more acute the need for quick recruitment, and the faster candidates will receive a response to their queries.