Pros & Cons of being a LEO

[diligence]

Folks,

I am a 34 yr old male who is considering a career change. I was working for the past 10 years in a technical engineering position, but have had enough of trying to make other people money. I really truly do want to contribute back to the community. Before I attended university, I considered applying for the RCMP (I'm a Canuck), but did not follow through.

I now find myself on a search for a more personally rewarding career - recognizing that law enforcement is often not recognized as it should be, neither financially nor with public accolades.

To assist me with my decision, I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom that you might have to offer. Particularily, I am interested in "things that you wish you knew before" you decided to be a LEO.

Thanks in advance,
D

[Star]

The only thing I ever experienced that was very negative is that it's difficult for a female during her first few years as an LEO. There a lot of the old school boys out there who don't believe a woman can do the job. I had to be extremely competative (which is the way I am anyway but I had to try even harder), take a lot of crap from senior Officers, there was EXTREME sexual harrassment which I never reported and wouldn't (if they can't understand "NO!", kick them in the balls) but, needless to say, it was quite difficult. Regardless, I did my job and now I am THEIR supervisor. :D

I'm terrible with child abuse/neglect cases. I let it get to me but you just have to remember you have a job to do and do it to the best of your ability.

Overall, being a Law Enforcement Officer is incredible. You do feel like you've contributed to the quality of life, health and general welfare of the public. It's very fulfilling. Go for it, buddy! You will not regret your decision but you do have to be dedicated to do this job. You have to watch every little thing you do on a daily basis because you are representing your City/County 24/7/365.

[steelcityk9cop]

Things I wish someone told me before getting involved in "the job":

1) The pay will be "comfortable" at best but you will never become rich as a cop.
2) Internal politics will take atleast 5 years off of your life.
3) Polyester is the devil's fabric.
4) You realy realy need to think about what you want out of your "career" when you determine what type and what size agency you want to work for.

[acreature]

Things I wish someone told me before getting involved in "the job":

1) The pay will be "comfortable" at best but you will never become rich as a cop.
2) Internal politics will take atleast 5 years off of your life.
3) Polyester is the devil's fabric.
4) You realy realy need to think about what you want out of your "career" when you determine what type and what size agency you want to work for.

I can only add:

I wish I had known the world was this bad, and I wish knew there were this many POS people. You'll learn to trust a very few "very" close non-LE friends, family, and no one else.

[mcsap]

LE can be a very rewarding job but your circle of friends will change, your working hours will change, your family life will change, the number of people that like you will change.

It is more than a job, it is a lifestyle change because when you put on that uniform, you are a superhero to some and a disgusting piece of trash to others. And yet you are to maintain your composure , try to treat evryone the same, make your superiors happy , observe all of the local , state and federal laws and guidelines to insure the rights of others.

People will NOT call you because they are having a pleasant day. They want YOU to help them with their neighbor problem, someones kids, get their stolen property back, their drunken spouse, to get DUI's off of the road, to find who stole their car, bring their drunken 15 yr old home from a party and yet complain that you HAD to arrest the kid as well etc.

Being able to do the job of a LEO can be quite challenging. You will NEVER make everyone happy and some will always hate you. BUT, being able to do our job is an honroable profession that not many are able to do. The pay may not be so great but it is improving , the bennies may not be the best but they are also improving.

If you understand all of this up front, then apply and go for it.

The first officer I trained when I became an FTO was 38 and was NEVER a cop before. 14 yrs later he is still with us and is on the SERT team and does a fine job.

[Star]

LE can be a very rewarding job but your circle of friends will change, your working hours will change, your family life will change, the number of people that like you will change.

It is more than a job, it is a lifestyle change because when you put on that uniform, you are a superhero to some and a disgusting piece of trash to others. And yet you are to maintain your composure , try to treat evryone the same, make your superiors happy , observe all of the local , state and federal laws and guidelines to insure the rights of others.

People will NOT call you because they are having a pleasant day. They want YOU to help them with their neighbor problem, someones kids, get their stolen property back, their drunken spouse, to get DUI's off of the road, to find who stole their car, bring their drunken 15 yr old home from a party and yet complain that you HAD to arrest the kid as well etc.

Being able to do the job of a LEO can be quite challenging. You will NEVER make everyone happy and some will always hate you. BUT, being able to do our job is an honroable profession that not many are able to do. The pay may not be so great but it is improving , the bennies may not be the best but they are also improving.

If you understand all of this up front, then apply and go for it.

The first officer I trained when I became an FTO was 38 and was NEVER a cop before. 14 yrs later he is still with us and is on the SERT team and does a fine job.

Awesome post, my friend! wOOOOOOOt!!! *bows* You are right on!

[acreature]

Awesome post, my friend! wOOOOOOOt!!! *bows* You are right on!

Definitely IOU worthy.

[diligence]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I have initiated the process with my local city's LE department and I think I would make a good candidate.

To further build on your comments, what would you consider to be the BEST and WORST parts of the job?

Cheers,
D

[mcsap]

The best part is catching the bad guy ( hopefully in the act) , the WORST part is injured or dead children. I have seen both and it makes a LASTING impression.

I went to an ambulance call of a toddler who fell down the stairs. I was within a mile and responded immediately. The child was on a bed, eyes open but with a faraway stare. Still breathing but I could not get any response out of him ( 18 months old). I screamed for the ambulance and medics to HURRY UP NOW !!! They did arrive within a few minutes and grabbed the kid and took off. There was nothing I could have done other than that.

The child died enroute to the hospital. It later turned out that the woman with the child was not the mother. She married the kids dad and was "stuck" at home babysitting. She got tired of the kid screaming and began punching the child in the stomach to shut him up.

This happened 16 years ago and it is the worst memory of the job that I have today. I hope that you will never have to go through this.

[FloridaLEO]

Your whole life, thought process, and personality will change. So for some people there may not be any cons.

[Legoate]

I think we get in such the "help others" mode that we feel pretty badly when there is nothing we can do.

I know I feel extremely aggravated when I'm close to the scene of the crime and for some reason I can't find the bad guy. Nothing worse than a case that I could have easily solved and made an arrest in, but I was just a minute too slow and the bad guy got away, probably never to be caught.

I'd agree with others that another bad time is when children are injured and we can't help them. I found a girl who had been badly mauled by a dog. I did what I could but it was really just a waiting game until the ambulance got there to provide her with real care...a very long 3 minutes.

[SeVere]

There is more stress that comes internally than comes from outside and thats a fact.

Bad guys do not stress you out as much as the administration.

[Star]

There is more stress that comes internally than comes from outside and thats a fact.

Bad guys do not stress you out as much as the administration.

Boy, isn't that the truth! Now that I am admin, I will NEVER, EVER treat ANYONE who works in this department like supervisors who sucked in my past did. I get the ultimate respect from these people because I give it back.

[Nole795]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I have initiated the process with my local city's LE department and I think I would make a good candidate.

To further build on your comments, what would you consider to be the BEST and WORST parts of the job?

Cheers,
D

Worst...dealing with a drunk driver while your wife is at a New Years Eve Party; arresting a wanted person while your family opens Xmas presents without you; eating a cold Thanksgiving Dinner alone because you had too many calls for service to get home in time...

Best...every day is a different adventure...