Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hello. I've always wanted to become a police officer. It fits my persona and it's just something I think I would really enjoy. I just want to ask some questions. Thanks!

First off, Are the hours hard? Does it interrupt with family time or make it hard to have family time? Is it hard on your sleeping pattern? Does it interfere a lot or is this something that's stressing me out when it shouldn't?

Second: what's your opinion on the pay? I always mention how I want to be a police officer but my friends tell me how terrible the pay is, blah blah blah. Are you fine with your paycheck? Is it sufficient for your needs and wants?

Third: Was the job really stressful for you at first? Is it still stressful?

Thanks for answering these personal questions! I'm grateful for all the hard work you guys have done.

1) yes, yes, yes, ?
2) so-so, sorta, sorta.
3)yes, yes.

1) yes, yes, yes, ?
2) so-so, sorta, sorta.
3)yes, yes.

Agree. The pay depends on where you work. It's all over the board across the country. I was fine with the money I made. I didn't make as much as some and wouldn't have done the job for what some earn.

1. yes, yes, yes
2. low pay
3. yes, no



Be Safe.

1. Yes , yes and YES.

2. We start at 47 K plus full benies. Yes and I make a lot more now.

3. Yes and it can be. People don't call us because they are having a wonderful day.

The entry here is $45K, but that's being paid to attend the academy. Then it goes up to $55K. Top pay after 5 years, w/o any OT is almost $74K. That's not counting longevity pay that kicks in at 15 years. M/C cops and officers assigned to drugs are given a 6% hazard pay.

Medical benefits start at 30 days. It takes about that long to process the paperwork. When I was hired, it was 6 months, thankfully the union got that changed years ago.

With the housing market crashed, the cost of living here isn't all that bad. I never had any complaints about the money I made. Other agencies in this area pay close to the same.

I work 2 weeks of days and 2 weeks of nights. It was alot easier when I was younger. Now with kids, it's much harder to get enough sleep. Luckly my dept. actually encourges us to stop by the ball field, soccer field, etc... and watch a little bit of the kid's games. It's a PR thing and lets the community know that we are human and have a life outside of police work. My pay is around 70K a year after being on the Dept. for over 15 years. It's enough to live in comfort but your not going to get rich doing the job either. The job stress will change, but will always be stressful. In the beginning it is making sure your doing things right and fitting in. Over time it changes to administration woes and the current criminal element that has no problems with trying to kill you. If you're already married, it will be a decission that both of you need to make because it will take a special women to support you.

Luckly my dept. actually encourges us to stop by the ball field, soccer field, etc... and watch a little bit of the kid's games. It's a PR thing and lets the community know that we are human and have a life outside of police work.

Wow really? Here we'd get complaints to the Chief we are screwing around on company time.

Wow really? Here we'd get complaints to the Chief we are screwing around on company time.

We call it community policing. Establishing some rapport with the people and their kids goes a long way for the department and the city.

Wow really? Here we'd get complaints to the Chief we are screwing around on company time.

You could tell them that you are ensuring that the Kiddies/Parents are safe by conducting a Pro-Active Patrol???