Question for all the real police out there

[greeneyesnc844]

Hello,

My Law Enforcement Operations class has an assignment to monitor the posting boards, chat rooms, etc. to see what all the law enforcement folks out there are talking about, what's important to them and write a paper on the results of our findings. I have two jobs, attend school full-time, have two sons, am starting my own business and volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem and with an animal rescue... I don't have time to sit down at the computer for hours. Could you guys give me a quick run down of what's important to you and what bores you to death? I would really appreciate any ideas you can offer.

Thanks.

TOJ

[Ranger__101]

As your assignment is to monitor and review the boards it would not be fair to you to give only have a few opinions to use.

I would recommend to take 20 minutes a day and review a few message boards so that when you are writing your paper you've got a good back ground.

With giving 20 minutes, you can generally on this board reivew the new posts and main highlights for the previous day and you report and knowledge will be much more improved than just going of a few officers comments.

[greeneyesnc844]

It's an on-line class for a very small community college. It's the first time any criminal justice classes have been on-line and the instructor is a new, young, energetic instructor with plenty of ideas to give busy work. I don't go into chat rooms, IM or use message boards; just have never been interested in doing so. As far as "skating," if I ask and get replys, I'm doing what he asked. I have a 3.5 GPA and work very hard for the grades that I get. After I graduate, I've been accepted into a 4 yr university for my BA in psychology, then I'm attending law school. It's kinda early for you to judge me regarding my ethics or morals from just one posting . However, if everyone feels that I am 'skating' in asking what everyone enjoys talking about and dislikes being asked, etc. then I apologize.

[greeneyesnc844]

Thank you. That's a good suggestion. I appreciate the idea.

[txinvestigator1]

I know you didn't ask, but I have to say this. With 2 boys you are taking on too much. Your kids are going to suffer, if they are not already.

[greeneyesnc844]

As far as my boys suffering, I do my very best to see that they do not - they volunteer with me in the animal rescue and go to the functions with the Guardian ad Litem program. They have special permission to attend (one or the other) class with me on occasions. I take off work if they need anything and sometimes I even cut classes or put off work to take them fishing. Homework is always done and they are good students. My oldest is in chess club and my youngest plays football - his dream is to be just like 'The Bus.' My ex-husband has a large extended family with lots of guys doing lots of guy things and my sons participate regularly. I would never ignore my children or intentionally let them suffer any sort of neglect so if I do try to take some shortcuts or 'skate' on a small assignments, again I apologize. With all that said - I'm working extremely hard be able to take care of them financially to the level I want them to be taken care of (who else will volunteer for that job?) so if I have to ask an uncle to take my youngest to practice becuase I have class, then I have to but I don't miss them all. If I have to ask their Dad to take my oldest to the doctor because I have to work, then I have to but I don't miss all the appointments and I stay in phone contact with his doctor. And if I have to ask some folks to give me heads up on an assignment, then I have to but I don't shortcut much and I make good grades so....

[Cat_Doc]

Greeneyes,

I admire your efforts to better yourself and raise the boys at the same time. A very good friend of mine, recently promoted to sergeant, worked in uniform, then persons crimes, then homicide while at the same time taking care of her two youngsters and her husband who also works for our agency. While doing all this, she also obtained her Master's Degree before reaching age 29. Absolutely amazing to me. It can be done!

Regarding your original post, the most important thing to me, while working in patrol, was going home alive at the end of shift.

The worst part of the job was boredom. Cops, by their very nature, are warriors. They thrive on the adrenaline rush. Worse thing in the world is a bored cop.

But, like others have mentioned, there will be no shortcuts, per se, to correctly answer your question. You are going to have to spend some time in here to really grasp what the current issues are.

The best of luck in your endeavors!

[txinvestigator1]

I still think you cannot have 2 jobs, go to school full time and be even an adequate mother.

But I don't know you or your life.

And, IMO, getting a degree means nothing compared to raising your kids.

[seltzer]

My wife is on her final semester of nursing school, the toughest semester yet. She works 15-20 hours a week at her job, plus interns another 24-30 hours at the hospital (2x12's plus call-ins), plus schoolwork. It is TOUGH on her! We don't have any kids yet, that's a good thing. If we had kids, she would hae to give something up for sure.

[Cat_Doc]

And, IMO, getting a degree means nothing compared to raising your kids.

You are absolutely correct on that one!

[chewy]

well, because you are doing animal rescue/shelter I'll tell you. What is real important to me is a good meal at least three to four times a day. I don't like half thrown together stuff, good food is what life is about. I also find that going to the bathroom at least twice a day is also important, it makes me feel lighter and gives me generally a better outlook on things. My animals are also very important and I have to spend a lot of time with them or else I feel guilty. My family, well...I like to spend a lot of time with my animals. Things that bore me; well, I would have to say most memos at work bore me. They seem to take three or four or five pages to write something that really only needs one or two paragraphs. Why is that? I have ADD and staying focused on some stupid topic like why we aren't supposed to park next to the fence, or that nonsense about "staying alive" at work and "being alert and careful" blah blah blah. Tell me when I can take my lunch and when my off days are then let me get back to work. Don't make stuff so hard to read by adding all that other crap to it.

I hope this helps you. If you need more I have PLENTY where that came from.

[Rad Diver]

What's important to me?

Well, causing as much trouble I can for the street urchins, and not get into an IA for doing it. Street urchins love to and give a screwed up version of the real story.

Boredom: Ordered not to do any proactive because we don't have enough people to cover our precinct. Sitting around waiting for calls, ssssssssssssuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccckkkkkssssss!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

[Kate]

I still think you cannot have 2 jobs, go to school full time and be even an adequate mother.

Difference of opinion, Tx...

I did it, and it wasn't easy. When I left my husband years ago, I had NO skills. I was a stay-at-home mother, and while I was thankful for being able to be there to raise my children, it made it all the more difficult when I went on my own. And for those who have something to say about kids needing two parents at home to raise a child - NEWS FLASH - sometimes a marriage that is beyond repair is more damaging for a child when there is nothing but constant fighting, etc., that the couple is better off apart. But that doesn't mean both parents can't be a part of their children's lives.

I busted my *** to after I left my ex. I worked two jobs (one full time) seven days a week. I was also going to school full time. The only time I had off was Friday afternoons and it was something I cherished to no end.

I may not have been there for my kids the way I wanted to be at the time, but I had a lot of help, even from my ex, and I refused to take a handout. Finishing school was VERY important to me and I'm thankful now that I did, because I have a good job and just recently got a raise and my kids are well adjusted and happy - just as they've always been.

Greeneyes, kudos to you. I wish you much success and the best of luck in all of your endeavors. Oh, and btw, welcome to RP.

[txinvestigator1]

Difference of opinion, Tx...

I did it, and it wasn't easy. When I left my husband years ago, I had NO skills. I was a stay-at-home mother, and while I was thankful for being able to be there to raise my children, it made it all the more difficult when I went on my own. And for those who have something to say about kids needing two parents at home to raise a child - NEWS FLASH - sometimes a marriage that is beyond repair is more damaging for a child when there is nothing but constant fighting, etc., that the couple is better off apart. But that doesn't mean both parents can't be a part of their children's lives.

I busted my *** to after I left my ex. I worked two jobs (one full time) seven days a week. I was also going to school full time. The only time I had off was Friday afternoons and it was something I cherished to no end.

I may not have been there for my kids the way I wanted to be at the time, but I had a lot of help, even from my ex, and I refused to take a handout. Finishing school was VERY important to me and I'm thankful now that I did, because I have a good job and just recently got a raise and my kids are well adjusted and happy - just as they've always been.

Greeneyes, kudos to you. I wish you much success and the best of luck in all of your endeavors. Oh, and btw, welcome to RP.

Someone always takes offense because they did what I said was wrong.

let me ask you, when you are dead, do you think your kids will say they wish you had taken more classes, made more money,wprked more jobs or spent more time with them.

But I am not judging you, its not my place. If my comments make anyone uncomfortable or angry maybe that is something they should explore internally.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Hello,

My Law Enforcement Operations class has an assignment to monitor the posting boards, chat rooms, etc. to see what all the law enforcement folks out there are talking about, what's important to them and write a paper on the results of our findings. I have two jobs, attend school full-time, have two sons, am starting my own business and volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem and with an animal rescue... I don't have time to sit down at the computer for hours. Could you guys give me a quick run down of what's important to you and what bores you to death? I would really appreciate any ideas you can offer.

Thanks.

TOJ

You could have done that without even registering. The very act of posting what you did has now skewed our discussion onto topics which we may not have delved into. In other words, you've contaminated your sample by announcing your presence and intentions.

You might as well write your report now on law enforcements views concerning single mothers & higher education, which is the current discussion, but wouldn't have been if you hadn't started this thread in the first place! :rolleyes: