Thinking about becoming a LEO

I hear what you're saying. I know there isn't any transfer thing and would have to start from the bottom again. Some of the MD troopers I know that did Army basic training said Army BT was 10x easier compared to the MSP basic training. Some of them it took 2-3 times different times to get through it.
 
ctrlraven said:
I hear what you're saying. I know there isn't any transfer thing and would have to start from the bottom again. Some of the MD troopers I know that did Army basic training said Army BT was 10x easier compared to the MSP basic training. Some of them it took 2-3 times different times to get through it.
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Yep, and if it is like NYS troopers, they own your butt for the next 20 years. Screw up and you are in Malone on the Canadian border then next day. Oh, you have a family, home, ties to community? YOU LOSE. Never had any interest in being a trooper.
 
ctrlraven said:
So lately I have really been thinking about becoming a Baltimore Co. cop. I like my current f/t job to a point which is just the freedom I have and the benefits but I have zero advancement unless I move out of state and take a engineering position in TX at my company HQ.

For those that don't know what I do now, I run a small shop for a very large company where I install and do monthly servicing of ignition interlocks aka vehicle breathalyzers for convicted DUI offenders. I've been stuck in some small shop for almost the past 4 years, I mean the only excitement I get is when a CAM member stops by or one of hottie clients comes in, besides that it's nice to have a heated/cooled place to work on my car but that's not really important.
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This is not a good time to be changing careers with an uncertain economic future. Stay where u are until things turnaround. There is always the chance that u wash out of the academy and then u have no job at all!
You're still young enough to wait this out and apply later.
Or go the reserve/auxillary route while maintaining your current job - that will get your foot in the door later when you apply full time.
 
What is your true motivation, Raven? Just sheer bordom? I was Army and 2 fed LEO positions until the politics finally outweighed the love of the job. I miss it just about everyday, but I'd never consider going back with the political state of affairs now.

You've done the DUI site and ride-along stuff, and that's great. Just realize that your job becomes an entire lifestyle unlike any other career. Your family has no choice but to accept it and the changes it brings, and they can be a real *****. That's another reason for me staying out. Most of us are "on" 24-7, and your eyes get opened to lots of thoughts you never even dreamed of before.

If you're a self-starter, and self-motivated, that's a good start. If you're looking for attaboys for doing the right thing and keeping people safe...keep moving. Most folks would praise you for saving their lives, and piss on you for giving them a speeding ticket the next day.

If you can do anything else as a career, do it. If you have a deep calling for this career, nothing else will matter and you'll join up.

Please don't misunderstand me; I LOVED THE JOB! I lived, maybe too much, for the job. I got to do some amazing things, got great stories and also horribly tragic memories. I think you're at a great age to start, mature enough to see more than surface stuff, physically able to take the pounding your body will, and young enough to learn so much.

Commit yourself to doing something you don't like right now, to see if you can handle the post first-year disillusionment. Promise yourself to go jogging with a weight belt on every night no matter the weather, volunteer somewhere that needs your help but benefits you personally in no way at all, learn a new language (Spanish?) that might help in your job...just do something that takes time and effort.

If you can stick to it by telling yourself it's to prepare for the job, sign up. If you can't, re-examine your commitment and your options. I say these things respectfully, and appreciate your volunteer service to date.

Ian
 
Taemian said:
What is your true motivation, Raven? Just sheer bordom? I was Army and 2 fed LEO positions until the politics finally outweighed the love of the job. I miss it just about everyday, but I'd never consider going back with the political state of affairs now.

You've done the DUI site and ride-along stuff, and that's great. Just realize that your job becomes an entire lifestyle unlike any other career. Your family has no choice but to accept it and the changes it brings, and they can be a real *****. That's another reason for me staying out. Most of us are "on" 24-7, and your eyes get opened to lots of thoughts you never even dreamed of before.

If you're a self-starter, and self-motivated, that's a good start. If you're looking for attaboys for doing the right thing and keeping people safe...keep moving. Most folks would praise you for saving their lives, and piss on you for giving them a speeding ticket the next day.

If you can do anything else as a career, do it. If you have a deep calling for this career, nothing else will matter and you'll join up.

Please don't misunderstand me; I LOVED THE JOB! I lived, maybe too much, for the job. I got to do some amazing things, got great stories and also horribly tragic memories. I think you're at a great age to start, mature enough to see more than surface stuff, physically able to take the pounding your body will, and young enough to learn so much.

Commit yourself to doing something you don't like right now, to see if you can handle the post first-year disillusionment. Promise yourself to go jogging with a weight belt on every night no matter the weather, volunteer somewhere that needs your help but benefits you personally in no way at all, learn a new language (Spanish?) that might help in your job...just do something that takes time and effort.

If you can stick to it by telling yourself it's to prepare for the job, sign up. If you can't, re-examine your commitment and your options. I say these things respectfully, and appreciate your volunteer service to date.

Ian
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Taemian, your words deliver tremendous wisdom and rare, precious perspective.

I hope all readers take your excellent advice.
 
DJCV said:
Taemian, your words deliver tremendous wisdom and rare, precious perspective.

I hope all readers take your excellent advice.
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Thank you very much, sir. I know the other current and former LEOs on this site have their own take on the job, I'm but one small voice. I urge anyone considering a career in LEO or mil-spec land to get as many opinions as possible.

I hope my words weren't too melodramatic, I just wanted to make my point clearly. I've jumped out of planes, kicked down doors, and loved every minute of all the foot chases. I've laughed til I cried at the stupidity of some inept lawbreakers. Alternatively, I've had to seize and view the most vile child pornographic evidence, watch a man bleed to death trapped in a bad wreck, and go to the funeral of a officer murdered on duty that I had trained with.

There is no such thing as finding trade-offs in this career, it's all one big stack of stuff. Only those with strong backs need apply. Again, I give my thanks to those currently protecting us domestically and internationally.

In life, just as on duty Raven, always have a back up plan.
 
Blackened300a said:
My GF has been a LEO on the NYPD for 10 years and she hates her job.
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a friend of mine is still working & he hates it. he hated it when i came on the job. when i came on, he had about 10-11 years on. now he has 18 & is counting every minute until he can retire. hell, after i was on about 2 years in, he was always telling me i should look for something else. he always said he couldn't b/c he has too much time on & it would be a waste, lol.

i had a lot of fun, but ended up getting caught up in a bunch of politics too. so much to the point i ended up leaving after 5 years. took me 4 years to get approval to get radar certified. and it's not like i was a sluff, got ofc of the month one time for DUI enforcement. but for whatever reason they wanted to give me a hard time about every little thing. i applied at another smaller agency in montgomery couty (at the advise of my old Cpl), but then my fiancee was saying she didnt want me to do it anymore. funny thing was, the Cpl there called me from his home & was kinda talking me out of it too, which was kind of surprising.

all in all, i do miss it, but im glad i am not there anymore. wouldnt be where i am now in life if i stayed. but they say...everything happens for a reason.


DEFYANT said:
This job, like everything, is what you make it. Best advise is, if your serious about this, act like your a cop now. Meaning, do not hang around people with questionable character, watch your driving habits, go to work - do no call sick unless you really are....etc
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+1

rayjay said:
The job is also tough on relationships. Many women/men do not have what it takes to be a spouse of a LEO. Took me three times to find one that does.
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lol. the 1st day of my academy the Lt said that 75% of you will not be with your spouse/S.O. by the time the academy ends. he was right, my g/f & i broke up about halfway through.

an taemian, those are great words :bows:
 
So Raven, how did the decision-making process go? Reviving this thread from the dead because I'm interested in what happened.
 
There is some good advice in this thread. I would not avoid Baltimore City. I started there and enjoyed 3 exciting years. My reasons for leaving were mainly for family, but the commute stunk too. I took a slight pay cut to lateral out, but made up for it with a take home car and COLA steps over a short time.

Now, I work in a specialized unit, M-F day work, weekends and holidays off, OT, plain clothes, unmarked car.... a real good gig. But I could slide right back into a uniform, marked car and work any shift and be happy about it!

You'll be fine, if you can stay away from and tolerate the catty LEOs and their drama. And the politics. Some are just in this to pin a medal on their chest and "look good in uniform" but cant do a damn thing!
 
The "Job" changed so much in the 34 years I was on that I'm not sure I'd do it again... It was a lot more fun back in the day. :cool4:
 
Still working with the same company, going to stay put for a few years while things settle down for my divorce. Take some college courses and then try to find something in the IT/Intel field for government or private contractor sector. That's really where the money is.

I've got too many health issues right now, got lucky and didn't need to have a double rotator cuff surgery done, just doing some intense physical therapy then have shift focus to my back. A lot of it stems from lots of high school sport injuries and my accident almost 5 years ago.
 
Ive been a cop in metro Atlanta for 4 years and currently in drug interdiction. I love every second of it. Its not for everyone thats for sure but give it a shot atleast that way you can say you did it. If you end up not liking it you will atleast know you tried instead of regretting never trying at all
 
I'm in the process of becoming a police officer.....been in the process for 2 years and a couple months now. Alot of soul searching, praying, humbling yourself and listening to GOD. All in all this is my Calling in life, this is what I've been placed on this earth to do. This will be my career!! I'll see you when you when we cross over raven!!
 
GO FOR IT!! It's just like any other job out there in that if you don't like it you could always go do something else. Chances are though that you will find it fulfilling and worthewhile and fun. I enjoy and look forward to every day I go to work. Make sure you check out all the agencies around you. My personal preference was to learn a lot and work an agency with many different opportunities and that's why I went with LAPD. It is my opinion that if you go with a larger agency in your area you will have more oportunities for different jobs (i.e. we have over 250 different job assignments). If you want to be in the field, work a desk, train at the academy, be a pilot, ride bikes, motorcycles, horses etc etc...I dont know about the agencies in your area but I believe that the more opportunities you have the less likely you will burn-out. That being said you dont want a dept that thinks that you are easily replaced, or doesnt stand behind their officers. My opinion is to talk to as many officers you can from prospective police departments and take ride alongs. Look at pay, cost of living, pay increases (some depts start with less $ but give more raises) RETIREMENT benefits. Small agencies also have benefits in that you really get to know your community and can be more responsive to actual citizens requests (in LA its a numbers game). They all have pro's and cons. Like was said by many other menbers, be responisble, associate with people of good moral character and for the love of GOD, dont go to your interview and say "I want to be a cop, to help people" unless you build on that...Also, look into different assistance they might offer (i.e. we give oral interview prep seminars, physical fitness for academy programs, etc) I told friends of mine that were going through other agencies hiring processes to take advantage of LAPD's free seminars even though they werent applying with us. Some of the large depts in your area might offer the same, and with us, you just show up...they dont ask your status in LAPD's hiring process.....

And, check what schedules they work and hopefully they offer the 3/12 shift. Also, check about how they do their days off....some agencies dont give the officers much say. To me this is the most important thing, luckily I havent worked a major holiday in years and pretty much make my own schedule (but I am a family man, so if youre single you might like the O/T)

I could go on for a while, but I got a few bud lights, a jacuzzi and a beautiful wife waiting on me.......best of luck...PM if any general questions on police hiring...like I said, I know nothing of depts in your area, but would love to help nonetheless
 
My experience, its a good time but you need to keep yourself in check. It is really easy to get jaded and lose faith in humanity. That is the reason I quit the job.

Watch a lot of chick flicks and do as much volunteering as you can at schools and such when you do become an LEO...it makes you realize why you do your job.
 
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