There's More to the Job Than the Badge and Gun.

[kimber]

This thread is not aimed at police officers, but rather those who are looking into and are interested in becoming a police officer.
You would be suprised at how many people I've heard say that policing is the coolest and easiest job out there. That makes me angry just to hear that. But recently, an officer in a nearby town, took his own life with his service weapon. While talking about it with a few friends, one commented "why would a police officer take his own life. What could possibly have been wrong, that he couldn't handle?" Though I stayed silent, the more it weighed on my mind, it puzzled me, just how many people don't understand the danger and stresses of the job. I took a class, specifically aimed at police stress and isolation since LE is where I want to be. For those who have never read up on the statistics, and the stresses of policing, I'll fill you in on some things that may suprise you, and things you need to take into consideration before you jump head long into a carreer you don't fully understand. Perhaps the few trolls that lurk around in here, that bash LEO's, will gain a bit of respect for the people who protect them and who risk their lives for the sake of a safer place for us all to be.
The work environment of a police officer, can definately cause stress.This stress may affect not only the way the officers treat citizens they encounter, but also affects the officer's health. They are always on alert, sometimes face grave danger, and feel unappreciated by a public they percieve to be hostile. The stress of police work may help to explain why ten times as many cops die by their own hands, as are killed in the line of duty.
In our class we learned that their are four types of stress to which officers face.
* External Stress- Produced by real threats and dangers, such as answering man with a gun calls or entering dark and unfamiliar territory.
* Organizational Stress- Caused by the nature of work in a paramillitary structure, for example constant adjustment to changing schedules, irregular work hours, detailed rules and procedures, etc. etc.
*Personal Stress- Self explanatory.
*Operational Stress- This reflects on the total effect of dealing with theives, derelicts(sp?), and the mentally ill. Also, this can be caused by being lied to so often that all citizens become suspect. Being required to protect a public that seems hostile and unappreciative can also cause this stress. And we all know, that there are alot of people out there who feel police officers are the bad guys in any situation, even though the police serve and protect them.

So, yes, there is more to being a police officer, than getting a badge, and carrying a gun. Some people may enter law enforcement because they think it's "cool" or because "the chicks dig it". LE is, by no means, fun and games, and I hope this thread gives those who are contemplating LE as a career for all the wrong reasons, an inside look on what it's really like.

[Ghost 1]

Good post.

[Wombat311]

I joined for the badge and the gun and chicks do dig the uniform. :D


Seriously though, good post. :cool:

[MCCO]

I Was asked why I wanted to become a LEO.

I didn't answer beacuse I like to play with guns and dig the grovey flashing lights. ;)

Great post!!

[ngcsubutterbar]

what you mean I don't get to wreck cars and shoot fleeing felons? :D ;)

[Mr.Melon]

I think the badge and the gun are excellent symbols of what makes a police officer's job different from all the rest. Do people who do this job love it? For the most part, it seems the answer is yes. Do they think the job is awesome? Yes, it seems they do. What the people you are referring to lack is the sense of respect and responsibility that carrying and wielding those symbols bring, that there is bad with the good, and that it's not an easy job that everyone can do. Very few people can do it, and even fewer can do it well.

edit: If this sounded like I was a police officer, I just want everyone to know I'm not--I'll be starting the academy in July, and I have a very high respect for the police officers I have met (and the ones I haven't).

[TPDHellhound]

Excellent post! Just a little background on the stresses involved in police work:

Cops are 4x more likely to commit suicide than be killed in the line of duty.

[tenfour]

I'm getting into law enforcement because I want to drive fast.



hehehe...good post.

[Timecop]

I want to be a police officer for the badge,gun, and to run red lights (j/k).

On a serious note, a few months ago a police officer in a precinct not far from where I live, went inside the precinct like any other day, went to the locker room upstairs and then blew his brains out. He had a top rank and top pay. He was in narcotics or something and worked a second job. He was going to be investigated so he took his own life. His wife and kids were left in the dark. I think he killed himself because he did something illegal and didn't want to be disgraced.

PM me if you want to know the precinct/location.

[retdetsgt]

Drive fast, carry a gun and beat up anybody I want!

[NyPd Sgt ALU]

Some people may enter law enforcement because they think it's "cool" or because "the chicks dig it". [/QUOTE]

i did it so the i could impress the chicks but sadly even the ones on welfare made more than me so they werent impressed :(

[chewy]

There's More to the Job Than the Badge and Gun.

Since when?

[TheDoghandler]

And they even give you a free dog when you'e been in a while :D

[Star]

Great post, Kimber!!!

[p0l1c3g1rl]

Great post!