Should I go into law enforcement?

Been a cop in Orlando for 17 years, 9 in k9. wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

Well I might trade it for a pro

 

Go for it, America needs more qualified LEO!

 

Quick story. A friend and detective who was my neighbor took a 7.62 round from an unstable nut job and was as close to death as it comes. He lived but he is now paralyzed from the waist down. Watching that unfold and how it affected his family was rough. Now, I know what he made and he wasn’t a street cop. IMO, it’s not enough to put your life on the line especially with this jacked up world. It has to be a calling and a passion to make it work. The advice to do ride alongs seems like really good advice. Give that a shot and go from there. Good luck.

 

Hand down, YES! I do not regret my decision. There are many facets of LE. I know where I am the options are insane. Remember your training and go with your instincts.

 

With 20yrs on the job I think you have A lot of good advice from good people. Do some ride alongs and keep in mind that shift work, weekends, holidays and court time takes from family life. Make sure you include them in on the decision you make.

 

I have asked myself this question many times. I am in sort of a unique position. I work in IT as well, but for Law Enforcement. I go on ride-along's fairly frequently as well as interact with LEOs as part of my job, so I am familiar with what it takes and what is involved. I got lucky with getting this job right out of college. In school I was unsure of what I was going to do and sort of fell into the IT field. My entire life up to that point I had worked in the trades and did manual labor jobs so the adjustment to working behind a desk was rough. It still is to be honest. In my position I get to see both sides of the job. I talk to a lot of officers and opinions are the job are somewhat split. Most love it, some are discouraged by the nature of things these days. Everything you do is subject to public disclosure and on camera. It takes the right kind of person to do the job for sure. Like others have mentioned there is a pretty high turnover rate. The base pay is also not very good, but with OT you can make a good living. Maybe look into IT in the law enforcement field. I am still stuck behind a desk but I get to work on things that help keep officers safe and help make a difference.

 

17 years is nothing. Put in 30 your opinion will change. ''If'' your aggressive out there !! I know LEs that only answered their radio, yes they have a more easier career ! Me I was super aggressive with that you will piss people off ! But they are the do gooders and the shit heads that were DISTURBED by me lol Love it!! My opinion is based on a crime riddled inner city in MI. Not some BTE where you chase down loose cows and big mad fisherman with out a license !!!!

 

Lol absolutely lawyers said that a lot !! A few women too!

 

I stiil have civil cases pending in court still after years of retirement not worried ill be dead before they go anywhere !! You stopped only because my color is different than yours cases.. Cops that never stepped on peoples toes didn't do their job!!!

 

Hahaha I will see what I can do. My first dog was a Mali, second dog was a gsd, third mutt was a Mali/gsd mix currently working a balls to the wall nutty as hell choc lab. I just went to the lab about a year ago and he is a single purpose bomb dog since I went to eod unit. Working apprehension dogs was without a doubt the highlight of my career.

 

@rsgt - I'm assuming you were kidding when you said 17 yrs is nothing, do 30 yrs. then report back... Ohio pension 25 years and out (at 48 yoa or 52 depending on when u got in). I'll be done at 49 and will be looking for a job at Home Depot or mowing a gold course somewhere -for fun. Love my career, but like you said IF you're active and making life hard on the bad guys, I'd imagine most will be or should just go. I'm not looking to get promoted or deal with calls from a desk - that's not me (if it was maybe I'd stay longer).

I make enough to squirrel money into investments and still live, so when my time comes I'm out! You can keep that drop $.... I'll be living lake side sipping a marg or a Oberon.

 

Yes my remark about only 17 years was wrong!!!! Im jaded by having been f over by the system for doing my job.

 

Yeah what he said ^

 

Go in to the plumbing trade. Ive been in it for 32 years and would do it again

 

let me see what I can do. i suck at this computer thing. it's all physiactrics and aereodamamics to me.

 

You should if you really want to be a social worker.

 

Me and my mali

 

Me and my lab, looking at gene Simmons like wtf lol

 

Here's what I've done
Marine->firefighter->leo->agent
Joined the USMC young
Firefighting got boring, station life wasn't for me
Leo was okay
Enjoying the fed side

I recommend the same as other posts to go on ride alongs and see how you like the job. If you realize you like law enforcement in the sense of investigations, go the fed route. All agencies are currently hiring individuals with some type of IT/computer background.

 

Me and my gsd

 

That bitch loved squirrel’s dammit

 

I figured today was a good day to post on this thread. In memory of my partner who was shot and killed on April 26th 2010. We were dispatched to a domestic and upon arrival were ambushed by a monster with a AK47. Dispatch was told by the RP that her boyfriend was firing at her as she left the residence. She went on to tell Dispatch that her boyfriend would be driving a white Chevrolet truck. She also stated she would be headed to the local casino for safety. Upon our arrival to the casino, the suspect exited a white compact car and unloaded 28 rounds at our patrol vehicle. I survived and my partner took 4 rounds to the chest. All 4 went through his vest. I watched his family fall apart and I shouldered a fuck ton of guilt. I threw the towel in 6 years later and retired with a total of 15 years. You don’t do this job for the money nor do you do this job to be some kind of badge heavy prick. It’s a calling and I encourage you to apply so that you can help people as well as catch bad guys. Oh and also we had two firemen switch to Cop work, but never the other way around ! Lol

 

If done for the right reasons, a career in law enforcement can be a very noble path but it comes with many pitfalls as well. Combine that with the current political climate and Monday morning QB'ing that could land you in jail for trying to do your job (and not get killed in the process)... well lets just say I would never recommend anyone become an LEO, at least on the local/state level.

Now if you have the education, background and intellect for it, the FBI is an excellent option. Great training, great pay, great perks and very interesting work but its not easy to get into or to complete the training at Quantico. Its a long process and they are very selective. That and you will probably have to move to a different state. Some of the other ABC agencies may not be bad either but I doubt any of them would offer the same opportunities that the FBI can.

 

Lol
Dont ever enlist in The military if it is about putting your life on the line compared to money.
Most cops I know have never been shot at and I was every day.
I wish they paid by the bullets thrown at ya. I would retire