Hey guys,
I am thinking about becoming a police officer. Anyone on here one, or retired? What can you tell me about it? Where were you stationed and how was it? Anything else?
As always,
Thanks Guys,
Matt

 

Yeah, I'm going on 15 years.

I'd suggest looking into doing some ride-alongs, particularly in places you think might be places you might like to live/work.

College would also be a good idea. If I had that to do over again I wouldn't major in law enforcement, unless I did it as a double major. A computer science degree would make a person very attractive to most law enforcement agencies, and it would also give you other options.

It would be good to have something in your background that shows you have thought about a career and invested some time and energy into preparing yourself, but that could be a minor in criminal justice, or even time as a Reserve Officer.

 

my gf graduates in 1 week and as soon as my hip recovers i will be back in an academy. academys are hard, some inparticular are VERY hard. nothing you cant do if you really want it tho. puts a bit of a strain on a relationship, mine did cause i had to live at my academy. i think its a very honorable profession. do some ride alongs and just apply a bunch of places, once you get your post cert. you can almost get hired anywhere. search for a dept. that will pay you to go thru tho.

 

18 years carrying a commision here and there...
As far as I am concerned there is very little else that could have possibly given me as much satisfaction or pride in myself as having been an LEO.
College is a must anymore. A lot of dept.s wont even look at your app without some sort of degree. Computer Sciences, Bussiness Admin, C.J. are all good ones to have.
I would recommend spending some time as a reserve officer while your in school. First it gives you the chance to see what its realy like and if its something you realy want to do. If it is, being a reserve gives you an "in" during the hiring process.
Best of luck....
CD Reynolds
Gilmer County Sheriff Reserve, Gilmore County TX.
Shawnee County Sheriff Dept( ret), Topeka KS
Apache Oklahoma Police Dept. , Apache Oklahoma
USCG Drug Interdiction Officer.
Military Police Specialist, KS Army National Gaurd

 

It is a good Occupation. I am a reserve LT and put in over 1000 hours a year. I origonally did it because of deregulation in the utility industry and wanted a back up carreer.

I now work patrol and am also a DI / Staff instructor at the Academy. Here in Califoirnia the Reserves are trained the same as regulars. In other words if you complete the Academy up to Level 1 and also complete the same Field training program as a regular you can go Full time without going back to the Academy.

One thing to be careful of though.. As a reserve you are not protected by the union or the Peace officers bill of rights.. You are an "At will terminatable" employee. What this means is that they can terminate you without a reason, and they do not have to give a reason. If this happens you will probably never be able to work in Law enforcement again. Although this is rare I have seen it a few times for various reasons.

I do love Being a Reserve. I can go work when I want, they love having the Extra car out there, and I work with a great group of guys at the station and Academy.

Good Idea just keep your nose extra clean out there and it can be a real asset in the hireing process.. Do questionable things and it can hurt you more than help...

Gerry

 

Hey guys, Im in the end of my Soph. year for C.J. The reserve officer sounds like a good thing to try out and to start getting contacts. I do have interships next year and will do that before I can graduate. I plan on Becomming either ATF or DEA agent but I know i will porbably have to start as a State Trooper. Any tips or sugestions? I am glad i choce this road to go down because i realy want to help my communtiy and people. I have been doing that all my life and cant wait to get started.

 

I am a member of the local Wasco County Sheriffs Posse we do alot of stuff with SAR and we do the mounted patrols in the parking lots at the rodeos and other pr work for the county on top of being called out if a hiker or a hunter goes missing off the beating path were a quad or a person could not get in. if your into horses and there is a posse in your area it would be a good spot to do to show intreast and that its somthing you want.

 

Wow, there are a lotta you guys on here. I'm actually graduating in May with my BA in History with a pre-law emphisis. Thanks for all the help, but I'm posative there's more out there....right???
Thanks guys!

 

I know this may become a sore subject!!! I have just spent 6 months incarcerated for a drug offence which I was wrongfully accused of and locked up..... I had 3 witnesses which testified on my behalf on where I was during the actual offense time, I had cell phone records and cell tower records of the same to place me in proximity of same towers away from where offense occurred and still had the A.D.A. trying to convict me. As a police officer I hope you hold yourself to exacting standards and do not let others drive your means to "a conviction standard".

I am and was a lawful and abiding citizen, but have lost my respect for the system and all products thereof. My story for the last 6 months would take 2 hrs to explain, and then some folks would stilll have problems in dealing with what I have gone through.......

Be true to your heart and your profession!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

Gary


sorry I had to rant but this is 1st time I have had anything to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Matt,

I have been doing the job over 15 years. It is fun at times, dangerous at times, and depending on where you may work...it could be boring. My agency (Dallas) is so busy and understaffed, I don't have a problem with the boring part. Burned out is more like it, because the calls never stop.

I would retire today if I could and become a full time RVer. But anyway, back to reality......the job can be very rewarding.

I concur with the others that suggested to you to finish your degree and get it in something else besides Criminal Justice.

If you do become a LEO, don't let it become your whole life. Find plenty of other hobbies and keep your job separate from your home life. I see to many officers where I work that are always chasing one off-duty job to another. They have no life.

Do some ride alongs if you can and decide if you want to become a small town officer, big city police, suburban, sheriff deputy, or maybe state or federal LEO. They all have some similar responsibilties but completely different environments. This makes the job totally different. Working for a big city has pay and benefit advantages.......and if you later decide to then go to the small town....you may be bored to death. But working in a small town has other rewards like knowing everybody in town and having less job stress. Fed jobs may make you move around the country possibly to some place you don't want to be. I know you are probably young, but be thinking also about what your goal is to do. (detective, chase dope, street patrol, promote up the ranks......because you could be completely content and happy with your job and then promote and be miserable). Be aware of the TOTAL package as it relates to pension, insurance benefits....and not just pay. Also, be aware of pay versus cost of living.

I read recently where Austin, Texas PD is the highest paying agency in relation to the cost of living in the country. Most California agencies pay more, but they cost so much to live in or near.

I hope that helps some. I got long winded and ranted a little bit....but if you have any specific questions...then just ask.

 

TexasCTD has some good points.

There is clearly a burnout factor, and I've probably seen as many careers end badly as I have seen people make it safely to retirement. Over the years I have seen some pretty ugly things, and there is a risk of developing a very dim view of humanity.

I also agree that I often see people who have allowed their career to take over their life, and to do well long term there needs to be balance. At one time I was a firearm instructor, member of the tactical team (gas guy), taught a couple topics at the reserve academy, and was a coordinator for one of our volunteer programs. I've backed off, and still do the firearm instructor thing, and recently picked up hostage negotiator role, but I don't spend as much time or energy on extras anymore.

The flip side is that there are some very rewarding moments from time to time. For example, I remember one rape trial when the mother of the victim (young child) came over and thanked me and told me I did a good job when the guilty verdict was announced...

Anyhow, like I suggested before, I’d go on some ride-a-longs to start with, and continue your college.

If you decide on a law enforcement career, remember that your personal integrity is critical. You need to have a demonstrated history of honesty, and the ability to make ethically sound decisions. One serious moral lapse can preclude you from ever holding a law enforcement position, regardless of your education or other qualifications.