Law Enforcement Officer entails?

[jovahutc]

How much contact with people would you say there is in the day of the average LEO? The reason im asking is this. I've been steadily hopping from job to job over the past few years and I've always worked all these Customer service jobs and I just don't like working customer service. Reason being...

My pride and my temper. I am quick to snap at customers and I can see myself getting in trouble for responding to an idiot who is trying to inadvertenely disrepect me. Not that I'm an angry person, I rarely ever get angry. It's just that I can't stand having to be fake with people.

Another point, pacing. Working customer service jobs Is like non stop person after person, hundreds of people a day. It's just so draining and it saps my focus and my drive. Now a few difficult people a shift I can handle with ease. But hundreds of difficult people a shift I cannot. Too much. So I need some sort of slower pace in my work.

I love being outdoors, the job I have now requires me to sit in a chair all day, and I feel like I'm becoming weaker and more unfit everyday... I wan't a job that will keep physical and keep me in shape. Other things I like is the night... and travelling. My personality is stern and serious but I can laugh and be silly at times.

I don't want to come off as snarky or antisocial, it's just I can't stand these customer service jobs and I know LEO is customer service but it's more about the smaller things for me than it is the bigger picture.

So I guess what I'm asking is since I've yet to plunge into the world of a LEO and I'm 24; knowing all this, do you think this would be a right fit for me, and vise versa? I personally think that I'm being drawn closer and closer towards becoming a LEO... one day.

[retdetsgt]

If you have trouble dealing with troublesome people, don't even think about law enforcement. Trust me, very few people will be glad to see you when you have to contact them. And if you have a temper, the odds of you abusing your authority and getting into real trouble is pretty high. You don't have to be super nice guy, but you need to like working with people.

[Samuel]

Didn't you already ask this question here: Looking to get started in Police Work ??

So did you not like my answer or do you have a memory problem?

[jovahutc]

If you have trouble dealing with troublesome people, don't even think about law enforcement. Trust me, very few people will be glad to see you when you have to contact them. And if you have a temper, the odds of you abusing your authority and getting into real trouble is pretty high. You don't have to be super nice guy, but you need to like working with people.

I did not state I couldn't deal with troublesome people.


"Another point, pacing. Working customer service jobs Is like non stop person after person, hundreds of people a day. It's just so draining and it saps my focus and my drive. Now a few difficult people a shift I can handle with ease. But hundreds of difficult people a shift I cannot. Too much. So I need some sort of slower pace in my work. "

And I'm not the type to abuse authority... Completely misinterpreted me.

[greg72982]

How many people you deal with in a day is largely dependent on what type/size of area you work on. For example I work in small towns with fairly low crime rates and I have shifts without any calls at all. Even when I do it's usually less than five in an eight hour shift.

You want a job that will keep you in shape? Police work in most areas has alot of downtime so to stay in shape you have to take your own initiative and do it in your spare time. Unless you are on a foot beat or something you won't be doing much physically unless you are fighting someone or chasing them on foot. And like I said earlier how much you do that will depend on where you work.

In my opinion if you get that disgruntled at a customer service job you probably won't even like police work let alone be good at it. There are very few work related tasks where you're not going to be dealing with someone.

[mcsap]

A future job in LE is sometimes having to help ( if not save the life) of someone you totally DESPISE. Of having to be respectful and polite to someone you really DO NOT LIKE. Of NOT being able to snap at someone because you are pissed off at them.

People do not call 911 because they are having a good day. They call you because life has gone bad for them and they want you to deal with the bad to make it better.

From what you have posted , your best bet in LE is to be a Park Ranger out in the middle of nowhere who has to put up with pesky bugs.

[greg72982]

From what you have posted , your best bet in LE is to be a Park Ranger out in the middle of nowhere who has to put up with pesky bugs.

Or a nighttime security guard where you can walk around all night and check the property.

[Samuel]

Or a nighttime security guard where you can walk around all night and check the property.

[retdetsgt]

My pride and my temper. I am quick to snap at customers and I can see myself getting in trouble for responding to an idiot who is trying to inadvertenely disrepect me.

I did not state I couldn't deal with troublesome people.

Oh, really? Make up your mind.

[txinvestigator1]

I did not state I couldn't deal with troublesome people.


"Another point, pacing. Working customer service jobs Is like non stop person after person, hundreds of people a day. It's just so draining and it saps my focus and my drive. Now a few difficult people a shift I can handle with ease. But hundreds of difficult people a shift I cannot. Too much. So I need some sort of slower pace in my work. "

And I'm not the type to abuse authority... Completely misinterpreted me.

Add argumentative to the list. lol

[marinepilot]

All traits which are not conducive to LE employment. Consider another line of work would be my advice.

[jovahutc]

well thanks.... I guess. I think you guys are all dicks... but thanks for the different perspectives.

[greg72982]

well thanks.... I guess. I think you guys are all dicks... but thanks for the different perspectives.

OK OK...yes jova you are what every police department in the U.S. is dreaming of. They salivate at the chance to hire someone in this day and age of lawsuits who does not work well with people and is otherwise a potential loose cannon by his own admission:

My pride and my temper. I am quick to snap at customers and I can see myself getting in trouble for responding to an idiot who is trying to inadvertenely disrepect me.

Please apply immediately, law enforcement needs you!!


Any better?

[Samuel]

well thanks.... I guess. I think you guys are all dicks... but thanks for the different perspectives.

And how did I know that the ahole was going to show his true colors...

::CLICK::

[McNulty]

well thanks.... I guess. I think you guys are all dicks... but thanks for the different perspectives.

The feeling's mutual.