For the past 2+ years I’ve been working security at a local casino and it’s sparked an interest in perhaps becoming a cop. However, all I know about the police is from movies and TV. What’s the nitty gritty?
Where do you live? Have you looked at your local PD’s website for information on things like pay, training, requirements to apply, etc?
I am not a cop, but my dad was one for over 30 years. The reason I’m not one because he told me “Do whatever you want, but don’t be a cop.”
My outside perspective is:
You will work shitty hours, you will deal with shitty people, you will deal with shitty situations, it will be hard on your family, you will have very few non-cop friends, people will act weird around you, you will not be paid commensurate to the importance of the work you’re doing, you will wear black socks all the time ;).
On the other hand, my dad loved being a cop and being on the road even given all that. It’s all he ever wanted to do and he got to do it for a long time and then retire early.
My opinion is, you have to really want to be a cop.
I live in central PA, and as far as I’ve been able to determine act 120 certification, that is, graduation from the Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy, is required. Even the colleges around here require it for their security.
I don’t have many friends now, so I don’t think them acting oddly is a problem, and I deal with shitty people anyway, though obviously not to the same extent. You’re right about the psychological part. I hadn’t considered that.
I am good friends with two sheriff’s deputies.
- Shitty hours
- Low pay
- Forced to work with people you hate (primarily “badge-heavy” asshole cops)
- Tons of politics
- People will act weird when you tell them you’re a cop
A few years ago one of my deputy friends was pursuing a vehicle at high speeds. The suspect crashed his vehicle and died at the scene. Even though my buddy did nothing wrong, he was *highly *affected by it. He developed a drinking problem and kept wondering if he should have handled the situation differently. He got some counseling and is doing better now. But I believe it’s going to affect him the rest of his life. Just something to think about.
a relevant anecdote:
Back when I was in my 20’s, I joined a sports club and hung out with some interesting people.
A new guy (whose job happened to be policeman, but nobody there really talked much about their jobs) joined us, had some fun, too…One day somebody said “hey there’s a party at Bill’s house on Saturday night. are you coming?”
His response : “No thanks, I’m a cop—if I show up, it’ll ruin the fun for everybody else.”
And he didn’t come to the party.Or any others that I know of. Ever.
(except for police department socials)
No, I mean requirements to be considered for training. Some Departments are requiring 1 or 2 years of college before they will even look at your application, not all though.
Oh, I have a Bachelors. Would that be good? 
This does not compute. I’ve been to plenty of social dos with policemen - some junior, some senior - and they’re just people.
Yes if you start toking or try to leave in your own car when you’re drunk they’ll step in, but they get jolly or shit-faced just like everyone else.
Many agencies offer “ride along” programs for those interested in seeing what a LEO really does. I suggest you contact your local PD, your county sheriff or Dept of Public Safety, etc. to see what’s offered and give it a try. A picture is worth a thousand words.
That is really dumb. Unless you have parties where you are doing blow off of hookers asses I don’t know why being a cop would keep anyone from going to social functions.
Lots of good points and bad for the career. A lot of them are department specific. Pay varies greatly across the country. I get paid very well. Other parts of the country the pay is shit. Collective bargaining rights are being eroded across the country. The financial part you’ll have to look into yourself. I don’t know how your local department pays. If you have any specific questions ask me. I’ve been doing this for 15 years.
Loach, how is it in NJ, do you pay into SS, or must a retirement package be another way, you know city pension plan, etc.
I am not a policeman, but I did take Criminal law as my Major in College, the courses were quite interesting.
I learned there are 3 types of fingerprints, Whorls, Loops and Arches, with sub classifications.
Criminalistics was cool, of course forensic evidence was not as it is today.
We all had fingerprtint kits, etc. We also had another method of lifting a print than powder, we had Iodine gas in a little blow tube and blew it on the print to raise it.
Educate yourself before hand, it may come in handy when you take a civil service test.
There is a lot to be taught in a cadet class if one gets that far.
Reasonably well stated. Not to mention that people these days were taught as kids to distrust and even hate cops. And you have to deal with people who are spaced out on so many different chemicals that they will try to pull your arms and legs off without even thinking about it.
We do not pay into SS. 10% of my salary goes towards my pension.
That is very overstated.
What if people were smoking marijuana? That’s a much more common practice at parties than doing blow off of hooker’s asses, and it certainly could present an awkward situation if a cop was present.
that was my whole point----I was talking about my experience as a single, 20-something college student–just like the OP kid. And I still think that my “relevant anecdote” is, well,…relevant.
We drank like 20 yr olds, and yes, some of them toked a joint or two out back. This is pretty normal social life for lots of people—but the OP will have to give it up if he wants to be a cop.
And thats a good thing, too.
My son considered a LE career and did a couple of ride alongs. This is a good idea IMHO
As far as pay goes, here in California, I would say the pay is good. 1st. year CHP he was expected to gross abut 72K with overtime.
I’m 45 years old. The last time someone pulled out a joint at a party I was at I was in college. I’ve been to plenty of parties as an adult. Not going to any that have illegal activity has hardly been an imposition.
I only drink on Fridays, and very rarely enough to really have an effect. Only tried pot once when I was 17 and it really didn’t do anything (ripoff). I’m not a kid though, I’m 35. Wish I was…
Everyone’s given some very good information.