NYPD - culture shock?

[kyleap]

i'm scheduled to finish school in Dec and about ready to reopen my application process with the nypd. as i noted in another thread, nj is proving to be an impossible state to become a police officer in. the openings are few and far between and the number of applicants at many of the cheifs tests ive been to is overwhelming, but at the same time its nice to see. not to mention the fact that i live in a chief's test town so my options are limited with my civil service exam result.

my interest lies in the bigger departments that police bigger towns/cities and as such i've been looking forward to the nypd for quite some time. my problem is this: i was born in Rockland county ny, but grew up in Bergen county NJ in an affluent area with a VERY homogenous population.

I'm concerned that my life experiences have not prepared me well enough for the diversity of the big apple. Since my hometown is only a 10-15m drive to manhattan i spent an enormous amount of time in 'the city' growing up and most of my extended family resides in L.I., manhattan, and brooklyn. What I'm getting at is that i'm no stranger to nyc, and am very comfortable there (getting around, driving, using public trans, etc). So with that said, has anyone else experienced a 'culture shock' or could perhaps lend some insight to my situation?

[Norm357]

ZOMG It's a black man!!!!!

[kyleap]

hahaahha
my roommate made nearly the same comment as he leaned over my shoulder reading this.

thanks for the pickmeup, norm!

[Norm357]

Anytime. :D

[kyleap]

anyone?

[retdetsgt]

They're not going to put you out there by yourself. You'll have plenty of time working with experienced officers to learn the ropes. People are people once you get past all the BS and bravado.

[jb5722]

the culture is not whats going to shock you, its the stuff you will see as an LEO that will. nobody grows up seeing that kind of stuff all the time (unless they live in darfur). btw if your trying to get otj in nj, why dont you try alternate route?

[kyleap]

Thanks for the responses, guys!

i never really approached it from this angle. i appreciate your perspective

People are people once you get past all the BS and bravado.

ive been considering alternate route, but the program in my county in nj even after insurance helps is about $5500. i can't afford to pay that and risk being right back to the place where i am now.

[phantasm]

before I was a cop, I had never seen a dead body except for at a funeral home, since, at least 9. Your constantly exposed to the worst of society, and even though unlikely, you often imagine worst case scenario not just for yourself while at work, but for your loved ones in their lives. You'll learn to realize that alcohol keeps you employed.

[kyleap]

luckily ive got some experience in that department. ive ridden for a rescue squad (not emt!) since highschool and have seen a good share of brains, blood, and bones to help prepare me a little, including suicides, charred doa's in autos, decapitations...
i can't imagine you EVER get used to it though. oddly enough, its the cultural/social divide that scares me the most.

before I was a cop, I had never seen a dead body except for at a funeral home, since, at least 9. Your constantly exposed to the worst of society, and even though unlikely, you often imagine worst case scenario not just for yourself while at work, but for your loved ones in their lives. You'll learn to realize that alcohol keeps you employed.

[ParadeRest]

Give it a year and you'll realize that it's perfectly normal to:

- piss in the elevator of your own apartment building
- walk down the street eating chicken wings and throw the bones on the ground
- throw bottles off of the roof as a way of welcoming the new cops underneath
- be on the stoop with your infant child at 3 am on a Tuesday

[Big Sexy]

luckily ive got some experience in that department and have seen a good share of brains, blood, and bones to help prepare me a little, including suicides, charred doa's in autos, decapitations.

Not sure, under any circumstances, if BIG would consider that "lucky". :rolleyes: