Wanted to share something again (regarding my friends)

[Mr_M_Kelly]

So I just got back for Outback with my friends. During dinner we were talking and one of my friends offered the idea of going to "Cities" a club/bar in Tysons Corner after dinner. They asked me if I wanted to go and I said no. They asked why not and I mentioned that I just applied for Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police and I just finalized my internship with Herndon Police for the summer; I said that because I'm not 21 yet (im 20) and because I would have to use my brothers ID(we are 18 months apart and look very much alike) to get in, I did not think it would be morally + ethically right to do it. I admit, I have used my bro's ID to get into clubs and drink about 6 times but I think now that I'm in the application process and really, actively pursuing jobs in LE its time to straighten up and not do things of illegal nature.

After I said all of this, my buddies were kind of dogging me and saying that its not a big deal and you won't get caught etc. but I told them thats not the point and the fact is that I will have to enforce the laws in a year and a half therefore I shouldn't break them myself.

How do you think I handled this or how could I have handled this situation better. My friends comments weren't too brutal tonight but again, I feel that they should respect (and maybe even be inspired or flattered)by my decision to try and keep my nose clean when I am so close to getting a job.

Mike

[metallicat]

I think it was a good decision that you made, and it proves that you mentality is set on making the right choices when something like that comes up. I am sure it was tough not to go out with them, but why would they understand your position? They are 21, and don't realize what you are facing. If they want to go to the clubs, obviously they can and will, but I would hope that they would support you in your choices.

Maybe next time suggest a road trip to Canada where the legal age is 18 or 19! ;)

[Lfpdlieu302]

you made the right choice, you'll pee a beer out after you drink it, your career in law enforcment wont go out so easy!;)

[Mr_M_Kelly]

Yeah, I have been wanting to go to Toronto....hehe

I think its 18+ in Louisiana also, maybe only a 20 hour drive :D

[Island_Girl]

I think you ABSOLUTELY did the right thing. I commend you for being so together at such an early age. You know your priorities and that's a huge start to a successful career in LE.
The only thing I can think of to make these situations easier is to say something other than references to LE. I'm not saying to lie, just say that you are too exhausted to go out, don't feel good, or.... you are hookin' up with a hottie later and you can't spare the time. ;) If you say that it has to do with LE and the "do-gooder" that you have to be in order to uphold that lifestyle, you may come off as high & mighty and risk losing the invitation for another night out with the guys. My husband, who is in LE, always downplays his job. It just makes things easier. Sometimes I have to do the same or I'm vague altogether in regard to what he does.

You'll get the hang of it soon enough. Good luck in your efforts, LE just gained another good cop!

[Stump]

Originally posted by Island_Girl
say something other than references to LE.... If you say that it has to do with LE and the "do-gooder" that you have to be in order to uphold that lifestyle, you may come off as high & mighty

I agree completely.

[txinvestigator1]

There was a part of the original post here that bothered me when I first read it, so I decided to wait a while and see if it still concerned me, and it does.

I admit, I have used my bro's ID to get into clubs and drink about 6 times but I think now that I'm in the application process and really, actively pursuing jobs in LE its time to straighten up and not do things of illegal nature.

If the reason you are changing your behaviour is only because you are trying to get into LE, then I think you are going to have some problems. If, on the other hand, you have just begun to grow up and are doing the right think and behaving ethically just because you should, regardless of what job you are trying to get, then I applaud you.

[Mr_M_Kelly]

Tex,

Yeah, my reasoning isint because I want to get into LE really. It's because how can I set an example to the youth when I did things in the past. As a college student I have grown as an individual and want to behave ethically and resonsibly.

On the other hand, I do not want to open up a can of worms here (FLAME SUIT ON) but I dont see the point of why drinking laws are set at 21. 21 isin't a magic number where you straighten up and can act responsibly. I'm not saying im nullifying the law because of this but the reasoning behind the law doesn't make sense to me.

Mike

[Island_Girl]

Mr_M_Kelly, this won't get you flamed. You are entitled to an opinion. Now, if you were to come on the boards and negate the law and insist that it's alright to drink before you are 21 or say that cops who enforce this law are idiots......now that would be different.:p

With that said, this is my view on the change of the law from 18 to the current 21 age limit. Given that this law is generally broken.....I think that an 18 year old has peers between the ages of 16-19 and this could add problems if the kid is still in high school (ie...pressure from other students to buy, educational responsibilities to be met that don't need the added interference etc.). With the current age at 21, the peer group changes to the 18-23 age group....even if a peer were to drink, they would be 18+ and a little more mature and basically the age of where they could be held legally accountalbe. That 18 year old can face charges and be forced to take responsibility for those actions, possibly discouraging the underage person to not drink or at least be more cautious. I think that a 21 year old has had a few more years to grow up. Face it, at 18 I think some of us were still a little crazy (at least many of my peers were). When I was 18, I wanted the legal drinking age to be 18...HEEHEE!!. ;)



* Everything regarding the peer ages in this post are not substantiated by a professional, they are merely my opinion based on my own experience.

[zander_zye]

drink dammit drink!


:eek:

[txinvestigator1]

The age limit thing has really been beat to death here, so rather than rehash I'll see if I can find a link to a thread or two.

heres one

[Island_Girl]

Daddgummit!!! And I missed it??????

[Mr_M_Kelly]

Tex, 10-4,

I read that post, my point is valid and stands. In general though, I would just like to re-emphasize that I wont use my brother's ID any more to go clubbing; not becaues I dont want to get caught and ruin my chances of becoming a police officer, but because though I may disagree with it and not see the purpose behind it, it is a law, and I will have to enforce it one day so I do not want to break it.

Mike

[txinvestigator1]

here is another

[darrell]

MR_M_KELLY


I commend you on that noble act of common sence. Keep it up and good luck.