In your opinion, what are the pros & cons of becoming a police officer?
536704
I am a police officer.\nIt depends on what you are doing it for.\nA major con is that the majority of the people don't like you, you run the risk of being shot at or killed on a daily basis and you will get lied to about something EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!\nYou will start to look at the world and everyone differently. Everyone becomes a liar to you. You start to believe that no one is telling the complete truth and that becomes your reality.\nNow if you are joining to help people. That can also become hazardous because you have to remember. We only get called after the sh*t has hit the fan and by the time we get there, it's usually too late.\nSo a lot of times, you won't be able to save someone, only be able to look for/catch the bad guy. A lot of officers are depresed and become alcoholics because they let the job affect them.\nIf you are in it just for the money (depending on what state you are in), then you might be ok, but then you aren't really going to be one of the "good" officers that do your job properly.\nYou have to remember to be safe and remember that no matter what, YOU need to go home at the end of the night to your girlfriend and child when you have one.\nKeep thinking about it and if you have any more questions, contact me.\nBy the way...I make waaay more than $30,000 a year.\nOh and SWAT officers get the same pay as the rest of us...They just have more training and have to put their lives in more danger than we do.
936597
you could become involved in law enforcement. you could work for the city as a police officer or for the state as a DPS officer (aka highway partrol- thats what my dad is and he has worked his way up to SWAT and the EOD (bomb squad) and he absolutely loves  his job).  I dont know how the crime is there so being in law enforcement might not be that fun).
585603
Depends were but I think it's a national deal\n\nYou can go as early as 18 or 19, you don't need a 4 year diploma in criminal justice, in fact DON'T get a diploma in criminal justice get it in something else because a degree in that will get you nothing. Get a backup like a Business degree because in case you get hurt on the job and you can't continue being an officer, you always have your degree to fall back on.\n\nYou do NEED a high school diploma, and be inexcellent physical shape\nNow if you go into the academy at say 19, the departments still won't hire you till you're 20 1/2 or 21, and they prefer educated people or people with life experience, or military
697991
In the City of New York anyone wanting to be a Police Officer must have at least 60 college credits in order to qualify for the job.  Each promotional level requires a written test and more college credits.  A Lt. must have a four year degree.  Any rank above Capt. i.e. Insp. Deputy Chief, etc. needs a Masters.  The education level is present in the NYPD but in order to work with Youth you must display the ability to deal with them.  The question is not one of education but rather the ability to separate the hardened criminals from those who are on the edge and can be turned around.  I have spent the last 12 years of my career with NYPD in the School Safety Division as a Commander.  There is such a thing as a "Bad Kid", and there is such a thing as a kid getting mixed up with a bad crowd.  Make no mistake.  The Bad Ones are murderers and drug dealers i.e. Bloods, Crips and the like.  Saving the ones on the edge is the real talent needed in Law Enforcement.
740534
If you are really a police officer then you make decent money (not great- but more than me) why wouldnt you be able to make your payments.  Also if you are really a cop you know what benifits & what kinds of help they offer you better than me or anyone else so why are you asking us.
291609
No I would not.  I would apply for the position of police officer and work my way thru the ranks from there.  Why be a flashlight cop when you have a degree?
140270
I think all police do their job well, but if you see a police officer do their job poorly, people suddenly yell that he is a pig or say dirty cop, and relate them with hanging out at donut shops...\n\nPeople make fun of police if they think the job is not being done well, but if it is done well, we all give thanks...\n\nThat pretty much fits almost any job though doesn't it???
1028234
criminal justice is the way to go young man. also helpful in this day and age would be a second language, even a third. find a good school that maybe has a good police academy in it too. that way you can start getting some hours in for certification. most states need 360 hours minimum for certification depending on what part of law enforcement you wish to enter. ROTC will help also.It's usally easier to start at the County level and work your way up. but you can always attend a highway patrol or city academy and start that way too. lots of option in this fielf.  good luck.
30045
Theres really two different ways to join. First off, in order to be a police officer, a person must be over 21yrs old, and have 0 felonies. The first route is to attend a school that is state recognized. Some universities and colleges offer the 480hr program or the 620hr program. The differences between the two are the latter has more physical training and such. The other option is to attend a city sponsored academy. Most large cities require that officers attend their particular academy. The general rule is it is easier to transition between the college academy and the city because usually the time will be shorted due to your past knowledge. However, most smaller cities are more cautious towards recruits whom have attended city schools due to their specific nature in regards to city laws.
309758
It takes dedication to put your life on the line for some one else. Can you put a value on that? Some folks think we are over paid. They think we sit around all day drinking coffee and eating do-nuts and other things. I have retired from law enforcement and have another job now, making twice the money I was. But I enjoyed what I did before because I felt I was helping my community and the children coming up.My kids had a hard time in school because there Dad was a cop. My wife deserved better because I was gone a lot. No police work is not worth what you are paid, but the satisfaction of doing some thing to help some body else is. Maybe we should ask the Question "What does a police officer do for our community and kids?"
1120910
Great question, Josh.\n\nI have had good encounters with police every single day of my life for the last 19 years.  They have been some of the hardest working, most decent, caring, giving, ethical and sensible people I have ever met.\n\nThey have been uncles and aunts to my children, they have been best friends to my wife, and they have been brothers and sisters to me.\n\nI don't know a group of people anywhere in the world I would trust more with my life or my family.\n\nHave there been exceptions?  Sure...a very few.  And you can all take heart in knowing that if you didn't like the cop you dealt with, chances are pretty good the people he/she works with don't like them either.   \n\nIt puts a hole in my heart to read some of the stories here about how some of you have dealt with police officers who have been rude, corrupt, obnoxious, liars.  I know there's bound to be some of them out there, but I haven't met them yet.  \n\nI have been - and I know no better word for it - blessed by the company I've kept for the last 19 years.  The men and women I have worked with in this profession are the most remarkable people I've ever met.\n\nJosh - thanks for the question.  Those of you who have answered with positive answers, you did this old cop some good tonight.
831654
Pro\n- If you need police help, he might be able to call in a favour and fast-track any police work.\n- You are less likely to have problems as who would annoy the wife of a cop?\n- Extended surrogate family of all his work buddies and their families.  Good network.  This could also be a bad thing if you don't get along with any of them.\n- You will have a husband who is trained in the disarming and 'containment' of any scum that breaks into your house while you are home (or who attacks you while you are out), therefore making things safer for you.\n- He will be required by his work to maintain a level of fitness, so you will have a buff husband.  Unless he does undercover work which requires him to let himself go.\n\nCon\n- he could get shot and leave you a widow.  \n- Crims could break into your house and shoot you all while you are asleep\n- You won't be able to get away with anything illegal, unless he is corrupt, which I hope he isn't.\n- some people may think you get an easy deal being the wife of a cop, but really - don't listen to them.\n- He could be harder on you - law wise - because you are his wife and he will make a show of not letting you get away with breaking any laws.\n- Depending on his job and who he works for, you might get kidnapped and ransomed cos he pissed off an underworld figurehead.\n- Any undercover work where he is associated with drugs, as this may require him to take them himself, which may change his personality.
1003841
pros - life experience\n\ncons - difficulty in getting job
829815
I'm a police officer, and I am all for law-abiding citizens owning guns, on one condition: If you're gonna have a gun, learn how to use it. If you don't learn how to use your gun, don't practice with it regularly, don't keep it clean and operational, then it will be more of a danger than a protection.\n\nAny person who is considering gun ownership should take a firearms safety course, which are offered by many different organizations, including many police departments. It's also important to practice with a firearm regularly, because, as with any other skill, if you don't use it, you lose it. Having a gun does no good if you can't hit what you're aiming at. Equally important is proper care and maintenance of the gun, which really just comes down to periodic cleaning and oiling. And of course, if you're going to have a gun, just make sure you follow all the local guidelines to ensure that you have all the necessary permits.\n\nIf a law-abiding citizen learns gun safety, practices with their gun, and keeps it in good working order, than I have absolutely no problem at all with them having a gun. In fact, I've seen more than one life saved because the "victim" had a gun and knew how to use it.
619542
my hats off tou you for making law enforcement your career path. I really respect you folks. to answer you question, I think it depends on the guy. Some of us guys are very shallow and some just plain ignorant etc.you could be a cop a ceo or a vip... doesnt really matter. what matters is who you are not what you do.
540255
Advantage, your an officer, and thus your not the grunt running into enemy machine gun nests, You get paid more, and there are a ton of opprotunities to advance. Not to mention your marketability when you get out of the service. \nDisadvantage, well, you are the guy who sends other men off to die sometimes. There are hard calls to make, and you gotta make 'em. You have to set the example for others to follow. Lot of weight for a guy or girl in their 20's to carry. The training is hard, the hours are long, and there isn't any thanks or glory. \n My opinion?  Do it.
685695
Soldiers operate in a black and white world, no gray areas.  Their actions are digital logic, yes or no, go or no-go (at least it should be that way, if the liberal media was properly restrained).  A law enforcement officer's world is not the same.  A cop must constantly make judgment calls based on very complicated scenarios, criminal codes, departmental policies, and case law.\nA professional demeanor and appearance can be an officer's best tool.  It can de-escalate adverse situations and stop punks from doing stupid things.  It instills trust in people and public confidence in the officer's competence.  Military bearing and discipline are not the same, but military experience can be a good foundation to build the more advanced skills upon.