Author Topic: Thinking about becoming a police officer... (Read 706 times)

Mickey1992 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2002, 08:40:01 AM »

I agree with SOB, a ride along will give you a good taste of the day-to-day of an officer. I think that most people don't realise how much of a shift is taken up by doing paperwork.

I didn't make it completely through the selection process because of the vision requirement, but if you want an idea of a typical selection process here is the one of Columbus:
http://www.columbuspolice.org/Employment/RECRUIT.HTM#Selection

gofaster · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2002, 08:40:19 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2
Karnak,
How about the FBI?

eskimo

Requirements: college degree, with expertise in accounting, business administration, finance, foreign language, forensic science, juris doctorate, or criminal justice (CJ only if you served in military or have previous law enforcement experience also). Prior military experience extremely helpful. Prior law enforcement experience helpful so long as you also have a college degree. Maximum eligible age is 35 (or 36, maybe). Agents will be relocated from their home state. Must be able to meet physical fitness requirements and pass medical exam. Successful candidates will be put through the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

miko2d · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2002, 09:20:19 AM »

Karnak,
Make sure you read all the police-related articles on this site - all the police column and those about police in FOE column. You will not find a better source of straigh opinion.

miko

Monk · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2002, 09:23:00 AM »

Try this......good fun:) http://www.ds.state.gov

loser · « **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2002, 12:21:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Pongo
After I got out of the army some of my budies had become Police officers and I applied with the RCMP.
Went through the tests and varios interviews and physical and PT test.
In the end I coudnt think of a good reason I wanted to do it so I continued with my systems schooling. All my buddies that joined are still at it and I wouldnt trade lives with them. But I bet it can be rewarding..

I hear you pongo. When i first started skool (university) my plan was to join the RCMP.

But after two years of skool and talking to a bunch of the senior officers here (i live in Regina, where all the RCMP members are trained.) I quickly changed my mind.

The bass ackwardness was unbelievable and the whole scene was stinking of "jurassic pork" attitudes.

Ill keep working at the elementary school thanks.

Karnak · « **Reply #20 on:** September 20, 2002, 10:04:25 PM »

Thanks for the comments and links.

I will readily admit that one of the reasons I am thinking of it is to have a job where I feel I might make a difference. Currently that just isn't so.

I'd rather work in a small town rather than a city, so that likelyhood wouldn't bother me.

eskimo,

I lack the four year degree that the FBI requires.

Urchin · « **Reply #21 on:** September 20, 2002, 10:32:14 PM »

I actually want to work in a big city department, I feel like I'd be able to get more experience there, and hopefully help more people. I'm applying for the State Police, they do all kinds of things everywhere. If I get in, I don't know what kind of thing I'd like to do there, I had more of a foot patrol type job in mind but I don't think the state police does that.

funkedup · « **Reply #22 on:** September 20, 2002, 11:54:09 PM »

My uncle was and Ohio smokey and I worked with a lot of police in an old job. They are definitely adrenaline junkies. Same kind of people who get hooked on things like AH.

senna · « **Reply #23 on:** September 21, 2002, 12:14:31 AM »

Dont get arrested by these guys.

LOL

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #24 on:** September 21, 2002, 02:28:47 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Urchin
I actually want to work in a big city department, I feel like I'd be able to get more experience there, and hopefully help more people.

Urchin - this the the big mistake people make when applying for an LEO position. What my buds tell me is that you arent helping anyone... youre "policing" everyone. They tend to look upon the general public more as the enemy than a population to be protected.

I advise you to contact an LEO in your area and ask questions, see what he has to say.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 21, 2002, 05:16:39 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Urchin
I actually want to work in a big city department, I feel like I'd be able to get more experience there, and hopefully help more people. I'm applying for the State Police, they do all kinds of things everywhere. If I get in, I don't know what kind of thing I'd like to do there, I had more of a foot patrol type job in mind but I don't think the state police does that.

WTG!

Now start running everyday, if you aren't already. They want you in good shape before they fatten you up on doughnuts!

Good luck!

eskimo

Urchin · « **Reply #26 on:** September 21, 2002, 11:09:31 AM »

I'm running about 4 to 5 times a week now. I haven't run in about a year, but I'm picking it back up. I've got about a month left before I go in to take the physical test. I can run a mile pretty easy, after that I start puffing pretty fast

. One thing I probably need to do is quit smoking, but for me at least that is easier said than done.

Maverick · « **Reply #27 on:** September 21, 2002, 02:52:01 PM »

Anyone in the field that got there thinking they would help society learns something pretty damn fast. The world does NOT want to be saved. It will actually fight you to keep from being saved. You will end up hating the job because you won't be getting out of it what you thought you would. Be realistic about this..... before you take the jump into it.

Tumor · « **Reply #28 on:** September 22, 2002, 07:54:36 AM »

I spent 10yrs as a USAF SP... Most of my time was spent on the "Security" side of the house rather than "Law Enforcement", but I did some. My LE duty taught me very quickly that I do not like to meddle in peoples lives whether as a cop or not. I responded to a "public disturbance" once, nothing seemingly too serious, but the situation evolved into an attempted suicide before it was all over. Without going into any details, I'll say that there was nothing I could have done to prevent the incident, and it came without warning, even though, I still feel it was my shining moment as a complete failure. I'd hate to have to deal with that (possible) kind of thing daily, especially the ones that go sour.

Just something to think about.

Urchin · « **Reply #29 on:** September 22, 2002, 11:59:58 AM »

If I try it and I hate it, well, I've got two options. One, I put in 4-5 years, and then move to some small town where they'll snap me up because I've seen everything that could ever happen in a small town and a lot of stuff that never will.

Or two, I've ALWAYS wanted to make computer games too

. So it'd be a matter of going back to school to try to figure out how. I don't have the barest clue of how people make computer games. But I've got ideas for games that I personally would LOVE to play, and I think that is the first step in making a good computer game. If it isn't.... why would you want to make it anyway?