Any Law Enforcment Here????

[nofeardiver]

Ok, so here is my thing, i have wanted to be a Deputy Sheriff for as long as i can remember, always thought it would just be a fun job, and to help people, i love giving and helping people. So what better way. I was wondering if there are any cops/law enforcement that could tell me more of what goes on that we don't see as regular people. Here are some of my questions.

1. How do the shifts work, how often do you work?
2. Is the money bad or good.
3. How hard was it to become a cop?
4. Is the academy and state test that difficult.
5. What challenges are there as a newbie cop?
6. Will a ride along answer my questions?

Thanks for any help.This is not a light decision for me, as i have a newborn coming. But a decision that i keep coming back too, very often.

 

[nofeardiver]

wow no one on here?

 

[WMGF]

Chances are if they do have a job with law enforcement...they're still working :hysterica . I know a few folks here work in law enforcement so I'd just wait til they're off their shift.

 

[knokmdwn]

Great answers there AZ.

For a slightly different perspective, here is my .02 cents. My background is that I am a career FF (22 years) but also spent 3 of those years as a State Arson Investigator. A much different job than an 8 to 5 cop for sure but it was kind of like standing in the door and getting to watch but being able to walk away most any time I wanted.

I was assigned to the detective bureau in our PD so I worked daily with the detectives. Yes, carried a gun, had to go through all the stuff, a modified academy and many classes for all the necessary laws and paperwork involved.

From where I stood for those 3 years, my opinion was that most all the cops I saw were under paid for what they had to deal with. The nature of the job brings you into contact with mostly scumbags and so eventually your attitude will be effected adversely. For a huge % of cops, that attitude ends up eroding marriages. (Job with highest divorce rate I believe)

With 5 days on and 2 days off, you have very little time for yourself and family. After a short while, you will end up spending at least one of your days off reporting to court on one of the many cases or traffic contentions you are involved with. Then of course there is always that thing about being in confrontations (sometimes down right fights) and people shooting at you.

It takes a very special person to have whatever it is inside them to be a good cop and to learn to cope with the facites of the job. My hat is always off to these guys. I never had a problem with running into a burning building while the cops were running out of it. Just don't let anybody shoot at me.

Another thought....joe average public views cops as the bad guys and firemen and the good guys....or at least used to. It's not all glory. Oh, and there is a TON of paperwork daily!!!

JMO.......hope it give you another angle to think about.

 

[dpricenator]

I was recently looking in to this, and the polygraph pu tme off. If I took it and lied I would fail, If I took it and told the truth, they might arrest me. OUtside of that. In Orange county, CA they start in the academy at 53k per year, but there is alot of competition to get in. Also your first assignment here is in the county Jail, minimum 1 year, normal about 3 years. So your not helping too mnay people in need. Now I know why all the cops around here are dicks. They had to deal with inmates for the past three years. On the plus side you get to carry a gun, once you're out of the jail.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Yes that is a great post AZCigarNut, very good info. I agree it takes a special person to be a cop. I have friends/acquaintances who are in the field and my opinion is that probably just like any profession, there are good ones and bad ones. I've heard numerous things from a close friend that made me lose some respect for cops, but overall, I have a ton of respect for them.

I have a close friend who is a detective for a local city but is on a DEA task force and sees the worst of the worst when it comes to drug pushers... but so far he is one of the good cops and I don't believe his family life is being affected. He has been able to leave work at work. But I also know some people who can't leave work at work...

Anyway, good luck in your decision!

 

[terrantheman]

Gotta be careful cuz there are a lot of people that love this!

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M8vei3L0L8"]YouTube- N.W.A. - Fuck Tha Police + Lyrics[/nomedia]

 

[ndn384]

I was recently looking in to this, and the polygraph pu tme off. If I took it and lied I would fail, If I took it and told the truth, they might arrest me. OUtside of that. In Orange county, CA they start in the academy at 53k per year, but there is alot of competition to get in. Also your first assignment here is in the county Jail, minimum 1 year, normal about 3 years. So your not helping too mnay people in need. Now I know why all the cops around here are dicks. They had to deal with inmates for the past three years. On the plus side you get to carry a gun, once you're out of the jail.

In OC you actually have to work in the jail on average almost 10 years. Well thats what I have heard from friends that are in that department.

 

[swat253]

Do it.
Don't look back.
See my signature.

 

[nofeardiver]

Wow, all i can say is thanks guys, my main concern is i dont want to become a dick...I know and have seen cops just be dicks because they have a badge and a gun... I dont want to be that guy. As far as the money, i am not real concerned about that, just want to make sure i can take care of my family, thats all...well and pay the bills. I am going to contact them and try to do some ride alongs just to make sure, before i put in all the work that its for me. I have been exercising cause i know there is a physical exam and tests...

So again to all of you guys thanks for your help.

Your botl....

Dan

 

[swat253]

Unless you're already a dick - you won't change and become a dick. I have relatives and friends that are also law enforcement and they're the same guys I knew before any of us went in. You may become a little cynical and you'll trust fewer and fewer people with time, but your overall attitude won't change that much. I had a long diatribe with answers to your questions above, but in the end, your experience is going to be what you make it. I'll PM it to you instead.

 

[nofeardiver]

Awesome, thanks you guys I can't wait to do the ride alongs. I am going to have to do the night academy which is 52 weeks long. But the cool thing is that with my degree now, after the acedamy I will only have to take 4 course at the college to get my AS Criminal Justice degree. Thanks again guys I will keep u guys updated on what I end up doing.

 

[knokmdwn]

Good Luck brother!!!

LOL, as a side note, some departments make you sign an agreement that you will not smoke!

When I worked (retired in 2001), I had gotten on prior to that stuff happening but as time went on, it became a condition of employment. Again, each department is different.

 

[jwintosh]

sometimes, you have to be a dick! my daughter has a great saying about me: "My dad is the nicest guy you'll ever meet... unless you piss him off, then his the biggest asshole you'll ever encounter." my saying is, "My name is Jeff. If you call me deputy winton, i'm probably reading you your rights." that, and, "i get to sleep in my nice warm bed. you get to sleep with forty other guys."

money: start sucks. top end - not too bad...
shift work: 0600-1830 or 1800-0630. 3 on, 4 off, 4 on, 3 off. but then you move up, and it's M-F, 0700-1530, weekends/holidays off, take home car...
academy: if you're in good physical shape and have decent reading comprehension, you'll do fine.

it's a helluva job!! absolutely love it. absolutely hate it. wait, what day is it? :stretchgr It's Friday!! and i'm leaving early!! woohoo!!

Wow, all i can say is thanks guys, my main concern is i dont want to become a dick...I know and have seen cops just be dicks because they have a badge and a gun... I dont want to be that guy. As far as the money, i am not real concerned about that, just want to make sure i can take care of my family, thats all...well and pay the bills. I am going to contact them and try to do some ride alongs just to make sure, before i put in all the work that its for me. I have been exercising cause i know there is a physical exam and tests...

So again to all of you guys thanks for your help.

Your botl....

Dan

 

[nofeardiver]

it's a helluva job!! absolutely love it. absolutely hate it. wait, what day is it? :stretchgr It's Friday!! and i'm leaving early!! woohoo!!

Lol this made me laugh... I know starting out will prob suck, but I think I would enjoy it. Thanks again for the info. I am gathering as much as possible. O and yeah i am out of shape, i have started jogging again, and eating salads, and cutting out junk food and fast food. So i can be ready. I think the academy has allready start this round so i probably wont be starting until of the year or beginning of next year. But before i mess with that i am going to do the ride along first... Just make sure i want to do it.

 

[AlbanyCO]

I'm a corrections officer and I would just like to say don't look over corrections. Alot of people never even think about it, but it's a really good job with good benefits. I didn't plan on being a CO, but I took the test and ended getting hired. Give it a thought.