Why become a LEO?

[kendral77]

I was wondering if a few officers on this board would be kind enough to share what made you decide to go into law enforcement? What preconceptions did you have about LE before joining, that proved to be true, and what preconceptions did you find out to be false? Thank you in advance for your input! And thank you for your service to our communities!

[Lawson]

I thought it would be a lot more exciting honestly. I never knew how boring being an LEO could get... but I still wouldn't trade it. Like people here say, 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror. For instance, one night we worked 10 hrs, didnt do a single thing except a couple traffic stops... that was it.

Then just the other night, we're on a traffic stop and the driver has a Felony Warrant for Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, has an ATF "Armed and Dangerous" advisory and an officer safety advisory that says "Subject states he will not go back [to jail]."

So yeah, you never know what you're going to get out there. And I think thats why I got into Law Enforcement, not so much for the "Serve the Community" thing (I live 20 miles out of the community I serve), but really for the day-to-day action or inaction that there is.

There is no other thing I know of in the world where you can be sitting behind a desk writing out a shoplifting report, and 2.5 minutes later you are fighting for life, then 4-hours later you are back on a simple report.

[viperphi]

I did it for the high pay, the prestige and the respect the citizens of Summit County have for their LEO's... Oh wait... DAMN IT!

[Badgerboy]

Because Starbucks doesn't issue tasers. :(

[636ninja]

I did it because I like to drive fast.

[deputywave]

My doctor made me do it. He said I needed less stress in my life.:eek:

[drummer-eman]

I just LOVE when I walk into a restaurant or bar {On a call Mr. obvious} and the drunk's raise their hands and say "He did it"
or "Hey Ralph, they're here for you" or "Uh oh, I didnt do it"

Oh really?

I love donuts BTW

[kazz]

I just LOVE when I walk into a restaurant or bar {On a call Mr. obvious} and the drunk's raise their hands and say "He did it"
or "Hey Ralph, they're here for you" or "Uh oh, I didnt do it"

*LOL* ~ gee, you have the same dweebs we do!!! Or the petrol heads who ask if you've got a "special" chip for the engine or kids who ask, "Is that gun real?"


I thought I could network with surfers and they could teach my to hang 10!! ;)

I'm a megalomaniac and love the power trip, that's the truth.

[codered]

I was wondering if a few officers on this board would be kind enough to share what made you decide to go into law enforcement? What preconceptions did you have about LE before joining, that proved to be true, and what preconceptions did you find out to be false? Thank you in advance for your input! And thank you for your service to our communities!

1. I wanted to make a difference.

2. I found I do make a difference, I just don't get that many decorations for making 'that' difference that I thought I would recieve.

[Plazoo]

I got into it completely by accident...or fate, depending on who you ask.

My step-dad was a deputy sheriff and the biggest asswipe I ever knew growing up. The last thing I wanted was to become I cop like him. What I had always wanted to be, though, was a hard chargin' US Marine. So, on my 20th birthday, I went and enlisted. My recruiter wanted to know what kind of job I wanted to do in the Corps and, being the sucker I was I say, "I don't care. I just want to be a Marine." So I went in open contract. Halfway through boot camp I was like, "Oh snap!! I screwed up. They're going to make me a cook or something." But, lo and behold, I was placed into the MP field and found I loved it, (where I was stationed, the MPs actually did LE work).

After getting out, I found that nothing satisfied me the way law enforcement work did so I did what I had to do and got on to a civilian police department and havent looked back since.

[Because I Can]

I didn't want to work in a factory or something like that my whole life where I did the same thing day after day. I thought (mistakenly) that becoming a LEO would be different day to day. While it might not be exactly the same day to day. There are days that are pretty close. That being said, I really do love my job because there is always that element of danger every day.

Oh, and by the way, LEO's have the BEST war stories of any profession.

[Philodox]

My main reason for going into law enforcement was my desire for a structured work environment similar to what it was when I was in the military. I also have a strong desire to help keep the community in which I live in safe. There is a very deep and strong camaraderie that is innate with law enforcement. It has to do with always knowing that your buddies will be there to back you up if you get in a tough spot.


Besides.. chicks did cops... well.. some of them have to :p I haven't found them yet.. hehe