If you're an officer of the law...

[dako81]

Well, I am going to college for something completely different, but am considering my options.

I have it in my head that I would really enjoy being a police officer/state trooper and that it would be a fun and rewarding job that I could be good at.

But, I don't personally know any officers to ask them about their experiences and their job. So if you are, or personally know an officer (son/daughter/close family), maybe you could tell me about it a little bit.

What do you like about your job?

What do you dislike about your job?

How rewarding is your job to you?

Do you feel like you are looked up to in the community?

What would you say to someone considering entering your field?

Looking back, what would you have done differently in choosing your career?

Thank you, I greatly appreciate any responses.

 

[nimzotech]

I had a Judo buddy/friend (a towering 6'5" figure) who was studying for the bar exam here in L.A. Unfortunetly he did not pass the bar the first two times. Few months later he became a police officer. I have not heard back from him, but he seemed to be happy with it. Picking careers is something serious and you have to pick for yourself. Being a cop in LA may or may not be dangerous depending on who you are dealing with. What is important is that you pick something you will enjoy doing.

 

[jsteinb95]

My brother in-law has been a cop for about 4 years now and, as far as I know, he enjoys it.
My step dad has been a sniper and a drug cop for 28 or 29 years and he also enjoys it. They enjoy catching the bad guys.
On the other hand, my mom was a cop for 10 years and she hated it. She watched her fellow officer shoot himself in the head, she saw quite a few dead babies.....people threatening her life. She did not get respect from the community. I think men look at female cops differently than they do male cops. I personally do not think a cop is a woman's job.
IMO....police officers are way underpaid for putting their life on the line. I would not suggest being a cop to anybody. I think it's traumatic.

 

[F250moto]

Dako, I have worked in Law Enforcement for 7 years. I have worked for both a city police department and a county sheriff's office. I love my job! I don't think you could be a police officer for very long and dislike it. You asked some great questions and too keep this short, I give you the quick. College is great, but you don't need a degree in crim justice. Most degrees will help you. Because of the job, people skills are far better than book skills. As a cop you will see the worst 10% of society, 90% of the time. The key to a happy career is letting it go. To get your foot in the door, you need to make sure your making good decisions (ie: don't get arrested, do the right thing, and so on...). If you want more information you can pm me and we can talk. Over all very rewarding... I hope this helps.

 

[steveindenmark]

I was a police officer in England for 8 years before a motorcycle accident put paid to that.

I would echo what F250Moto said. You do not have to have a brilliant mind to be a police officer but you need to have a lot of common sense, you need to be a good people person, sympathetic and be able to empathise with people on one hand but be able to firm handed and to be able to control a situation on the other. It is a fine line to balance.

It is not often policemen deal with "nice" people which can get depressing day after day if you cannot let it go when you clock off. If you think that is easy, its not.

My very first call out after police training school was to a sudden death. As it turned out the old man had been dead for 2 weeks and his wife who was not quite right had been keeping him warm and feeding him for 2 weeks. Empathise...oh yes...sympathise..lots of that...take control...mmmmm maybe not control but just lead in the right direction.

Luckily you get put with an experienced officer who leads you through it for a long time.

Its a great job, funny as hell...in a dark sort of way. F250moto and I could write a book about our experiences I am sure you would not believe.

And no matter where in the world you police the worst job a policeman can do is knock on a door at 2am to tell someone their son or daughter has been killed. I delivered those messages several times and you will never get used to them. Worst job in the world.

You take the rough with the smooth and lean on your shift mates. You would love it if you are right for it.

When I look back on my time with the police my first reaction is always to laugh...thats how good it was.

Steve

 

[fast blue one]

And you get into football for free :thumbup:

 

[steveindenmark]

And you get into football for free :thumbup:

That is very true but I was based at Reading at the time so that was not much of an incentive.

But you also get free buses and trains and nightclubs. Plus lots of other little perks.

Steve

 

[fast blue one]

Is that what they call mumping?