Why be a cop?

['Guest']

Hi, I'm a highschool student investigating possible careers, and I'm somewhat interested in becoming a police officer. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find much information on what it's like. So I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me:

* Why do you want to be a police officer?
* Those of you that are police officers, what do you like and dislike about your jobs?
* Where can I go to find out more about what it's like to be a police officer?

Thanks!

[Charlie]

elanor84--First of all, welcome to the board! What's great about this board is the abundance and variety of opinions from cops, aspiring cops and many people like yourself exploring the possibility of a law enforcement career. ;D ;D

To answer your questions, in short form:
* When I was working for a large department store chain in the shipping/receiving department, I became friends with a municipal police officer. I asked him a lot of questions and found I had an an interest in the profession. The rest, as they say, is history.

* LIKES: I enjoy the thrill of ruining a bad guy's day. And, you are truly in a unique profession where often times you never know what you're going to deal with on a given day. It can be quite a challenge dealing with everything and anything you can possibly imagine. ;D

DISLIKES: The politics - Internal and external. Bad guys getting off on technicalities. "Politically correct" government leaders or department heads. Bad cops making us all look bad. And people who THINK they know what are job is all about when in fact, they have no idea what we do out there!

* Where can you go for more information? Here are a couple of ideas for consideration:
- See if any of your local departments have a Police Explorer program. It's sort of an off shoot of Scouting except the emphasis is on law enforcement. Usually, the Explorer rides with an officer as a uniformed observer during their shift. ;D
- See if your local department have a "ride-a-long" program. Basically, citizens can ride with an officer during shift as an observer and get an upfront and personal view of everything that goes on during the officer's tour of duty on a given day. There might be some restrictions concerning persons riding along but you'll have to check with your local departments for this information.
- Go to your local library or book store and see if you can find the following books: COPS by Mark Baker or, WHAT COPS KNOW? by Connie Fletcher. These books are, in my opinion, excellent. These authors interview a variety of cops from departments big and small. However, a word of caution, they are not for the faint of heart and do contain some strong language and graphic details!   BUT, I think they offer a rare glimpse into the realities that cops often deal with on a daily basis. I think you'll find either book to be interesting reading and "educational" about the unfortunate realities out on the streets. And, the often times very humorous situations officers deal with or encounter as well. ;D
- Often check out this web site and bulletin board!

So check any of those options out!

Final thought: I would strongly recommend that no matter what you do, finish your education. Prefereably get a college degree before diving into this profession or any others for that matter. Because if you don't, it gets a lot harder to go back to school when you're working full time, married and raising a family.

Good luck!

Charlie

[Charlie]

elanor84--If you like to read, I would also suggest checking out books written by a former LAPD Officer named Joseph Wambaugh. He wrote several books that are well-known and some were even made into movies. Some of my personal favorites just to name a few are:

* The Onion Field
* The Delta Star
* The New Centurions
* Lines and Shadows
* The Choir boys

Check'em out. ;D

Charlie

[junior]

elanor84,

first let me start by saying welcome to the board, stick around you will probably learn alot ;D.  i am not a cop....yet.  the road to becoming a police officer is a pretty bumpy one.  it can be very discouraging to say the least .  i have thought about becoming a police officer for awhile.  it wasn't until after i graduated college that i set my heart on this profession.

i worked in an office after i graduated, and from the begining i hated every minute of it .  i hate being cooped up, plus the job was very boring and unfulfilling.  i have decided to pursue a career in law enforcement for many reasons.  i like helping people, i want to make a difference in my community, the job offers alot of variety.  some may say that there are many jobs out there that allow you to do these things, why such a dangerous profession?  why not be a teacher or doctor, etc?  

i like to think that being a police officer allows you to wear many hats .  police officers are counselors, teachers, firemen, doctors, etc.  when choosing to become a police officer you are essentially choosing a very broad range of careers.  i could go on and on about why i want to be a part of the greatest profession in the world .  charlie has offered some excellent advice, i would take heed.  best of luck in whatever career path that you choose.

junior  8)  

[Jay]

A great website for you to check out

www.lifeonthebeat.com  and join his e-mail list.  <br>
A police officer sends out almost weekly e-mails telling you a little bit about what it was like on the beat

i give the site     ;D  5 smily faces.

J

['Guest']

WHY! WHY! WHY!?!!! BECAUSE!!!! Because as a "Cop" (Deputy Sheriff,Constable,Marshal,State Trooper,Patrolman,Police Officer,Agent) you ARE yourbrothers/sisters keeper,protector of the weak and defenseless,guardian of the widows and orphans, and finderof lost souls. I have had the honor of practicing the profession foralmost 12 yrs in So. Calif. and although there are other jobs that pay more, nothing ,REPEAT, nothing replaces the feel ofbeing the first on the scene,from a "415"family to a
Robbery or shots firedcall-you make the peace, keep the peace and perserve the peace.A cop is the moc=dern centurion, and thus ,the protector of his/her nation.

[Drakor]

 The first line of Defense, protector of those whom can't or are afraid to protect themselves. Have you ever been bullied in school, and how'd you feel when a bigger and mean SOB stopped your bully cold in his or her tracks just by his or her presence in the room.
   The prestige and the proud tradition of the men and women who came before you and some who laid their live down so we can live free and in peace.Standing with people who are hard working and honest all believing in the same proud traditions. Knowing that you can depend on each and everyone to give his all, including his or her life and knowing that I would do the same for you and them.
   We don't consider ourselves as heroes or saints. We are just ordinary people with an extrodinary job. I believe in what I do and that in itself is my reward, knowing that to someone no matter what I do, from making arrests, writting a ticket, responding to a false alarm for the 20th time, that I 'm making someone somewhere feel safer and make their lives a little better.  
     

[[e-mail]]

Elanor-

Well, in a nutshell, it's pretty fun.  I'd say there's pretty much no other job where you can encounter something different every day.  I agree with Charlie that it's personally rewarding and offers about as much of a practical and common-sense education as you could ever get.  If you like doing something that actually affects people's lives (whether positive or negative affect), then it's great.  

I also agree with Charlie that the politics and the overall B.S.  you sometimes have to put up with sucks.  My advice would be this-- Keep your nose clean (no drugs, driving problems, etc.).  WHEN you graduate college (also an excellent Charlie suggestion), research the department(s) you're looking at going to.  If you don't like "political correctness" or bad guys getting off on stupid technicalities, avoid the Northeast and big cities--they're much more liberal in their court decisions.  Research yourself, your personal politics and beliefs, and pick the size and location department that fits your character.  They are NOT all the same (although, we are all brothers and sisters).

Finally, get involved aside from school and learn as much as you can.  As (again) Charlie suggested, an Explorer or other volunteer program is an excellent idea.  This would be done while in school, before you're 21.  It will also help you keep your nose clean.

And, as they teach you in the Street Survival Seminar-- A.B.L.=> Always Be Learning.  You can NEVER know everything there is to know about police work.

Good Luck!!

['Guest']

Charlie,Junior,Drakor,and Jay gave really great reasons-but today I was reminded again when I read the PORAC news magazine(www.porac.org).  LASO Dep. "Jake" Karedjian paid the ultimate sacrifice not long ago, but he wasn't alone:Ofcr John C.Bohach,Reno NV PD(EOW 8-22-01),killed in a gun battle by a chronic drug user  hour before his duaghters birthday and Jeff. Fontana ,San Jose,CA PD (EOW 10-28-01) gunned down by a lowly thug and felon , with a history of assualts on Police officers. These , as well as many other PUBLIC SERVANTS, WILL NEVER BE LAUDED OR REMEMBERED BY THE LIKES OF THE ACLU or other critics, who make their living by  bashing law enforcement, and releasing the same scum that make our whole society unsafe and scary( ever see one of them living in the 'hood or driving the high priced BMWs with the doors unlocked?!!!!).The (3) law men I just referred to are but a small portion of men and, increasingly, women, who give up the ultimate to make society sleep just a little more comfortably a night- ofcrs/deputies/troopers/agents like that , along with  young "cops2be" like the "Andys" and RaiderXs" who've been on this board and now are on agencies, encourage me to keep on working, and hopefully, will encourage you to "be a cop".The "thin blue line" is indeed thin, but it is strong , and it needs good people to join the line and keep it strong........Good luck , if you decide in the future to do so...
www.lawa.org/police

[junior]

amen cplmike!! ;D  what did ever happen to andy and raiderx ?  they always offered helpful info, its a shame they are not around anymore .

junior  8)

['Guest']

Junior- to answer last on Raider X- he made San Jose,CA PD last year and I think Andy was on Milpitas,CA PD( I could be wrong ) They are probabley being typical rokies and enjoiny the job- hope to see them again on this board-Thanks go out to encouraging  guys like you and charlie, and to Jay..