Becoming a police officer...how is it?
Im thinking of becoming a police officer. Anyone here one or know someone who is? How is it overall like salary, benefits, job satisfaction, etc. Ive already done some research but i want some input from the people, you guys. Let me know because ive been interested in this career for a while now.
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
I can answer a few questions as my ex had a degree in Criminal Justice & his dad was a detective for over 25 years (I miss his dad, my ex, not so much LOL)
1. If you're very young still, a good idea would be to enlist in the military- much easier to enter law enforcement this way (which was the way my ex's dad did it.) Some branches of the military have less likelyhood of sending you into the Middle Eastern Meatgrinder, FYI.
2. Depends on where you work as to how easy or hard the job will be. The Los Angeles Police Department/ Correctional System is so infamous, I've seen recruitment billboards for them OUTSIDE of California. Not a popular entity, the LAPD.
3. What makes you want to do it? This matters a lot...Can you pass a physical exam? That is make or break....
I've met a lot of good cops & a few not-so-good ones. It might not be a lifetime career for you, but most people don't do one thing all their lives anymore.... I guess it will help you meet hot chicks, (especially strippers, since I've had a couple conversations with cops while in my stripper gear..LOL)
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BlackSheEp3
Im thinking of becoming a police officer. Anyone here one or know someone who is? How is it overall like salary, benefits, job satisfaction, etc. Ive already done some research but i want some input from the people, you guys. Let me know because ive been interested in this career for a while now.
That's my dream job. Salary is pretty good, benefits are decent, not horrible, not the best. It IS a government job, after all. Job satisfaction, that all is determined by you. You have to be aware that there's a lot of burnout. Go on ride alongs with your local city police department and sheriff's department. That way you can see how things work with both agencies, and get an idea of what an average night is like. My boyfriend is a cop, and I have a lot of friends who are police officers. Do you mind if I PM you with a forum URL that could answer your questions better? :)
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BlackSheEp3
Im thinking of becoming a police officer. Anyone here one or know someone who is? How is it overall like salary, benefits, job satisfaction, etc. Ive already done some research but i want some input from the people, you guys. Let me know because ive been interested in this career for a while now.
I'm a fire dept officer and work in close proximity to our PD training office. I have many friends who are police officers. Salary and benefits depend on the local department. Pay is pretty high for police in your neck of the woods, but so is the cost of living. Benefits are good. You generally get a good medical plan and a good retirement with guaranteed benefits. Many departments have 20 year retirement. Job satisfaction depends on your attitude and expectations. Many officers love the job, some hate it and move on quickly. You must be prepared to have a lot of negative interactions with people. You will see and experience things that few people can even imagine. You will see the best and the worst that humanity has to offer. You need to be mentally and physically strong. You need to have a clean record and be an honest and ethical person. Many departments require some college, up to a Bachelor's degree.
Good luck to you. There is a demand for good police officers. It's getting tough to recruit enough good people for the job.
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
I used to be an MP in the Army up until two years ago. A four CJ degree is required in most Urban Depts just to cut down the number of applicants. This can be in the hundereds of thousands if a hundred jobs are announced. A small towns maybe require only a AAS, however anyone that already has attended a police academy will probablybe the one hired. Saves the smaller Depts some budget money and keeps people around, as they won't attend an academy and go elsewhere.
Be tough. Ever been around Cops when they are off duty or no civvies around. Greeting each other with douchebag, fatty, and What's up fucker. Sweet terms of endearment from your buddy after hearing it all day from criminals, family of criminals, and random people off the street. Emotions.... Those come off when the uniform goes on. Can have'em don't need'em. You can't be mad and loose your head when spit in the face. You can't be sad and cry when you knock on the door of a house to tell a mother her daughter is dead in a car crash. When you go to a suicide that is three days; been sitting in a car in the summer with the windows rolledup. You can't loose it. Cameras a taking pictures, video is rolling, people are watching. You are on display and what ever the situation you will display decorum and restraint. When that HIV positive crack head bites you. Smile and take it. Thats your option.
Anger and Heartbreak. Drives Cops insane. That why every Dept has a Chaplain and all the large ones have Psychologists/Psychiatrists. Cops have other Cops for friends. Part of this is because the new guys get the night shift (8pm-4am) and part is most folks have no frame of reference to compare jobs. Have friends and hobbies away from Law Enforcement and you will be healthier.
Now for the nice part. Nice things happen. Sometimes that speeding car is a young couple having thier first baby. Cool. You give them a Police escort turn on your lights,use your sirens, and drive in front of them at a reasonable speed so they arrive just fine. Have lunch in parks lots of mothers will tell you how great that is makes the park feel safer. Like kids? Ready to wear the McGruff the crime dog suit? Do bicycle rodeos and teach kids bike safety. Cookies.... Nice old ladies bake fabulous cookies and deliver them to sations on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Rescuer of lost children, stray pets, and finder of misplaced valuables.
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
ArmySgt hit it on the head. There's definitely an ugly side to becoming a cop. You'll be hated, spit on, beat on, and sneered at.
But yeah, there's good parts too.
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Crys
That's my dream job. Salary is pretty good, benefits are decent, not horrible, not the best. It IS a government job, after all. Job satisfaction, that all is determined by you. You have to be aware that there's a lot of burnout. Go on ride alongs with your local city police department and sheriff's department. That way you can see how things work with both agencies, and get an idea of what an average night is like. My boyfriend is a cop, and I have a lot of friends who are police officers. Do you mind if I PM you with a forum URL that could answer your questions better? :)
Yes that would be great. Thanks =)
P.S. Thank you too all for the valuable feedback and opinions.
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
I also spent time in the Army as an MP. Personally, I do not enjoy the law enforcement side (garrison) of it. It bores me. I felt like I lived my life in a patrol car, running radar and writing 1408s (tickets)... You lived your life for the 45 minutes of excitement you may or may not get... Plus, shifts suck. They'd switch you every few weeks so you'd get used to being up at 4 am, then you'd have to try to sleep at 4am. Too much paperwork, not enough shooting. Blah... I am a combat support MP through and through. Give me a ruck sack and a M249 anyday. There's a lot more to it but it'd take me days to write it all. If you're really interested in becoming a cop, contact your local police dept and ask if they do "ride alongs". You'd get to accompany a police officer and get a feel for what they do.
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The one and only Raven
I also spent time in the Army as an MP. Personally, I do not enjoy the law enforcement side (garrison) of it. It bores me. I felt like I lived my life in a patrol car, running radar and writing 1408s (tickets)... You lived your life for the 45 minutes of excitement you may or may not get... Plus, shifts suck. They'd switch you every few weeks so you'd get used to being up at 4 am, then you'd have to try to sleep at 4am. Too much paperwork, not enough shooting. Blah... I am a combat support MP through and through. Give me a ruck sack and a M249 anyday. There's a lot more to it but it'd take me days to write it all. If you're really interested in becoming a cop, contact your local police dept and ask if they do "ride alongs". You'd get to accompany a police officer and get a feel for what they do.
3975, 4137, 2823, and 1805's Stateside. Garrison blows goats.
Give me the PIG. M60's rock 249s rattle. ;)
Rock on Mud Puppy.........
Re: Becoming a police officer...how is it?
Hooah!!! But one good thing.... Cops love strippers and I blame all my Army buds for the fact that I became one when we got back from Iraq... Go Army.
Krystal
Oh yea... And no more 60s for us anymore. It's 249s, 203s, S&W 9mms, M4s, MK19s (still have a scar on my leg from that bitch by myself, they told me I couldn't, lol) and if we're really good they let us play with grenades... Ahh, you're bringing back so many memories! Ok, done thread jacking...