What Did You Sacrafice to Become A Peace Officer?

[tm2391]

Hi All,

Just wondered what you gave up to become a peace officer. I have to make a decision to do what I have always wanted (become a peace officer) or just keep going as I am and providing well (financially anyway) for my family. I would have to leave a six figure cubicle type 9-5 job I have had for 10 years with nights and weekends off spent with my wife and family, or go down to roughly 44K, work every other weekend, and I am sure to be on grave yard shift before I earn seniority. I just wonder what others left and sacrificed to become peace officers. My wife also thinks she will sacrifice sleep as she worries about me (my mom told her how my grandfather gave his life in the line of duty)

Thank you for all you do.

[Legoate]

I initially lost some income switching jobs. However, what I gained, was a lot of job satisfaction. I went from a miserable existence where I cringed each night I had to work, and watched the clock for my entire 12 hour shift, to looking forward to working.

You will lose weekends, and probably work graves for a bit. However, that means you will be off during the week (when it's actually easier to get stuff done) and have more days/evenings free with the family when you need it.

[MP_Steve]

I think that's something you'll have to ask your family. I know there are members on this forum who could have had six-figure incomes, but in the end chose what they end up loving now.

Maybe you could look into a reserve officer position?

Perhaps you could look into a federal Criminal Investigator postion? They earn roughly $100k after six years or so. If you want to keep the good hours, USPS OIG is hiring though you should keep in mind that you won't always maintain "good hours". Search for GS-1811 series Criminal Investigator on www.usajobs.com

Best of luck in your decision. I'm sure there's plenty more members on here who will chime in.

[retdetsgt]

Some of the felons in my family were a little ticked.

I took an initial drop in income, but the work was a lot harder before too.

Now I have a better pension, etc. than most of the guys that I used to work with. I came out better overall, I guess. I can't imagine doing anything else for 28 years.

[qpd158]

I have not sacrificed anything finacially per se.....actually am making more money than I ever have before...I feel that I have lost a lot of my close friends that I grew up with....not that they were criminals or bad but that we just don't have time to see each other anymore, we live apart and have different lifestyles now.

Probably the biggest thing I have sacrificied is my health...though I am not sick or anything, the condition of my knees has dramatically gotten worse...not sure if its related to my career or my genetics...

The biggest regret that I have is waiting until I was 30 to get hired on....If I would of been on right out of college retirement would be soooo much closer....

Best of Luck to you and your decision.

[mcsap]

1. Time with the family.

2. A normal schedule.

But I can retire in less than 3 years at age 50 with about 55% of my pay ( 55% = 47K) as a pension and 50% of my med benefits paid for.

[retdetsgt]

1. Time with the family.

2. A normal schedule.

But I can retire in less than 3 years at age 50 with about 55% of my pay ( 55% = 47K) as a pension and 50% of my med benefits paid for.

I always worked graveyard shift when I was in uniform. It was tough, but I was home in the evening with my kids. The only problem I had was when I had court and couldn't sleep during the day. During the summer, the kids were on orders not to wake me unless blood was involved. But again, I at least had dinner with them and evenings.

After I got promoted into detectives, I only had to work swing shift for about 6 months and then I got days with Sunday/Monday off. I took a lot of Saturdays off on vacation for soccer games, etc though.

Our pension is 2.5% of your base pay for every year served. Thirty years gives you 80%, but we have to cough up 100% for our medical. A few places give retirees full medical, but mine never has. Fortunately for me, in a couple of years I'll be on Medicare and I can buy excellent supplimental from the city for not much money.

[mcsap]

Our medical is 50% covered from age 50-55 , at age 55 it jumps to 75%. This includes medical, dental, vision and prescription.

[deputywave]

I sacrificed 2 goats, a pig, a llama and a mentally unbalanced yak. I needed all the help I could get.:eek:













:D:D:D

[cntryboy0531]

I sacraficed my sanity and three jobs. :D

[taylorplayer]

I made a few sacrifices coming over, but I gained much more. Like most of my fellow officers have said, the greatest gain is job satisfaction. I couldn't spend another day in an office making other people (the shareholders) rich.

I gave up:

1. $75,000+ salary
2. A nice BMW
3. Evenings and weekends off (however I like being able to get things done during the week when everyone else is at work)
4. Being complacent
5. 30lbs of fat (lost it in the academy)

[ChesCopPodz]

Only thing I sacrificed was lving near my family. I moved 500 miles away for this job. I got it right out of college so it wasn't a step down in anything.

[cruzmisl]

I lost about $35K/yr initially but now I'm at full wage so that's not an issue anymore.

What you HAVE to have though is the support of your family. Get that first and then make your decision.

[Kimble]

I had to sacrifice and field-dress a deer, but then I'm from AL. It was a bloody mess. :p

[leomike07]

I don't look at it as what I had to sacrafice but what I gained. I had to sacrafice seeing my family as much as I want to. I gained love going to work and I love making my 0.0000000000002% difference in this world during my time.