From EMS to PD

[emt4nyc]

Hello everyone

I hope I'm not starting a thread on something that was already discussed, but a quick search revealed little information on this.

So I've been thinking of transitioning from being a paramedic to becoming a law enforcement officer. For all those who've done it, what is the transition like? What did you have to adapt to and what was the hardest thing to change? I mean working on an ambulance you don't have a supervisor breathing down your neck and overall EMS is more of a civilian kind of service with lax discipline and even ethics. I hate to generalize but I have yet to see the opposite of this.

I am also curious to know what were your reasons for changing the fields, and whether you've been able to do both if not at first then at least eventually, after the probationary period. And if you were allowed to do both, did you choose to do EMS again or were you happy with police work that you did not come back, so to speak?

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate your input.

[scott715us]

Or you could find a public safety agency like mine that does police and fire/EMS. :D

I never worked on an ambulance, but I was an EMT for a few years prior to LE work. I volunteered with a rescue squad religiously right out of college. Even on a volunteer level it was good emergency experience. I was glad to transition into law enforcement. Because of the many motor vehicle wrecks I worked where DUIs, speeding, and other reckless behaviors were involved, I am now able to directly address that on the roads as a LEO. I believe paramedics have the same-type personality that fits well with law enforcement. Out of 60+ commissioned officers, we have roughly 21 EMTs/IVs. We do both police and fire/EMS, so I think the job has fit me well over the years. As a supervisor I don't get to do as much as I used to, but I still find the time to get on the road for some traffic enforcement. On occasion I will back up my guys in the main airport Terminal when they need it on significant medicals. I will be going to the late shift soon, so I have a feeling my DUIs will pick back up. Our last commercial flight is in around midnight and we have a lot of main thoroughfares in our area that are direct feeds out of downtown (hence the influx of DUIs late at night).

[scott715us]

On a side note, don't have the "God" complex that some of the paramedics tend to get. I ran into way too many of those types who believed their crap didn't stink because they held their paramedic license. That will not get you too far in the LE world. Best of luck.

[emt4nyc]

On a side note, don't have the "God" complex that some of the paramedics tend to get. I ran into way too many of those types who believed their crap didn't stink because they held their paramedic license. That will not get you too far in the LE world. Best of luck.

No way, I'm pretty sure I wear a t-shirt under that uniform not a vest

[Joeyd6]

I know a NYC EMS EMTP who went FAMS and is doing fine, but he was prior military. It shouldn't matter for you. As for working EMS, I know many cops who volunteer, but working it as a second gig may be an issue and varies by agency. My federal agency lets me, but that is to keep my experiece levels. I know some agencies who will not. All depends where you are thinking of going.