Question about being a parent and a cop

[PinkieJ]

I have wanted to be a cop for a long time. I am going to be getting a divorce by I still want to be in law enforcement. Do the recruiters look unfavorably on single parents? I know it is not "legal" but it still happens?

Thanks for your help.

[Oldbillplod]

Not where I come from they don't, however they will want to know who will be looking after your kids whilst you are at work.

[Stump]

Why is it a crime to be a single parent?

[CityPolice]

Being divorced shouldn't have any impact for the hiring process, unless domestic violence came into play.

Good Luck

[mcsap]

Not a hiring issue but if the care of a child interferes with your responsibility to be on time at work, appear in court and realize that you WILL have to work over the end of your shift due to a late call... Then it could be an issue.

[Jcrazy]

I don't think this will be a problem as long as you have reliable child care for your kids when you need it.

[Charlie]

PinkyJ--

Not sure what you mean by divorce being "illegall." New one on me.....

In general, I think that as long as you are a responisible parent and arrange for proper care of your kid(s) while you're at work, this should not be an issue. Course, at the proper time during the hiring process, most departments may require that you provide them with a copy of your divorce decree.

--
Charlie

[Officer Moe]

I've never seen it a problem with being a cop. I have seen a couple of father's that got divorced have an effect on custody though. In my opinion both were better parents thatn the mother but the court usually will sway with a steady job (not shift work) with plentiful supervision. Something to think about. One of the fathers did finally get custody it just took a while for the mom to put herself in a bad enough position.

[txinvestigator1]

I think what she is saying is that it is illegal to discriminate based on being married or having children.

In most non-LEO jobs, it is illegal for an employer to even ask a prospective employee marital or family status.

[PinkieJ]

Thanks for all of your input. It has really helped. I had talked to a military recruiter at one point and he suggested that the military didn’t look too favorably upon single parents when considering a person for military service – which is why I was wondering about the police force. I have decided that I would like to use a nanny. That way, she will already be at my house and I can call her to have her stay over a little longer if needed. Thanks again for your input.

[Officer Moe]

Ahh yes...the military really doesn't like a single parent enlisting for some reason...How old are you if you don't mind me asking and why were you looking into the military. Not trying to be nosy or anything but there are ways of gettying around being a single parent joining the military. However, you should consider being deployed and being away from your kid(s) for an extended period of time. Even through basic (6-12 weeks depending on branch of service) and you job school.

[PinkieJ]

I am 26 and I was prior military. I was looking into going back in when he told me this. I wanted to do another 4-year enlistment and go to college a little more and then go directly into police academy (and have more of a college background). I had my baby during my first enlistment and got out so I wouldn't have a chance of being deployed while she was so young. Now that she is older, I think I could handle it. I was going to postpone my divorce if I thought it would help me at all but I think I may just try going straight into police academy and go ahead with the divorce.

[Officer Moe]

I remember standing in my parents house at 14 years of age saying I would never join the military. At 17 I had enlisted in the US Army's delayed entry program. About 6 mos. before I got out I told my XO I would never be a cop. It's funny how things work out. If you have a strong support with your family (parents and siblings or what not) then I would say go for the po-po. I heard a stat early on in my career that said the female cops' divorce rate was 100%. I really hope it's not true, but it's a male dominated field and a lot of civilian men don't understand unless they do the job. Good luck in doing whatever you decide.

On a side note: I work(ed) with a guy who re-enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard within the last few month's. He went into the housing of the solidiers when the weekends and summer rolled around. Never even thought about being deployed due to his field. He leaves for Ft. Hood next month for training, then onto Ft. Polk before landing in Bagdad in Feb. By the way, he has a 2 month old daughter. Food for thought.