[stoppingpower]

Originally Posted by Vikingdad

The only way to know is to meet them. If one cop in a three cop town is a douchebag that does not bode well in my mind. Get to know them, let them know your intentions. Know what you are getting into. Walk in to the Police station and ask to see the Chief, tell them why. You may have to come back but you should be able to see him. Basically what I am suggesting is that you interview your potential future employer.

My friend's son is now a welder. He totally abandoned the law enforcement idea after his experience with the Jr. deputy program.

That's a good idea hopefully they don't taze me when I walk in

[Vikingdad]

Originally Posted by stoppingpower

That's a good idea hopefully they don't taze me when I walk in

Look at the bright side, if they did Taze you your decision will be made!

[Vikingdad]

Then again if that is the way things are in your town you could set yourself on a sketchy career of reforming the Police department. That would take a great deal of time and dedication though. But it would no doubt help your community (if indeed the Police department is corrupt and thuggish). Just sayin'.

[downsouth]

Originally Posted by stoppingpower

Yeah your Right I said that. But I want something more outta life. Yeah I sit here and lick my self for 12 hrs and get paid good but still I want something more?? Do u no what I mean.. its gard to explain

I get it. Money is not everything. Goodluck.

[BigByrd47119]

LEO's in small towns tend to be very close knit. Don't be surprised if your not their favorite person starting off. Go for a ride-along if you can to get to know them and allow them to see your actually interested. The next step would be to try to get on as a reserve if there are not any immediate positions (not as easy as it sounds, need to go through the academy in your state in many instances). This will, once again, give you the opportunity to build a relationship. This is the key to getting into small town departments.

[stoppingpower]

Originally Posted by BigByrd47119

LEO's in small towns tend to be very close knit. Don't be surprised if your not their favorite person starting off. Go for a ride-along if you can to get to know them and allow them to see your actually interested. The next step would be to try to get on as a reserve if there are not any immediate positions (not as easy as it sounds, need to go through the academy in your state in many instances). This will, once again, give you the opportunity to build a relationship. This is the key to getting into small town departments.

Thanks man

[Shoobee]

Police work is one of the more difficult and stressful jobs you can get into.

You should probably interview peace officers that you have access to, and find out what their jobs are like, and what they like and dislike about them. That will help you decide if it really interests you.

If it still does, then you need to find out if you are cut out for it. A lot of people start out wanting to do something they are not cut out for.

Most peace officers go through an academy training phase. Even the FBI has their own academy. There are police academies and sheriffs' academies. If you decide to try out, you need to get in, and you need to graduate. They do not make it easy on purpose. You are choosing a high stress job therefore they are going to stress you to see how you perform under stress. If you find out that you cry like a little kid when under stress, then obviously it is not for you.

Police work is not just walking around like a badazz and carrying a gun.

After you get through the academy then you need to get selected for a job. In this day and age, that is the hardest part. Governments and municipalities are cutting their police depts right about now rather than hiring very much if at all.

If you really want to do it, and you are cut out for it, the best thing would be to join the Army and ask for MP training and assignment. Besides the Army, there is also the USAF, Navy, and Marine Corps, in increasing order of difficulty.

The good thing about the military is that they will teach you how to shoot straight, one of the things they cover in basic training. After you serve 4 years and they have trained you, then you would be a special acquisition for a civilian peace officer spot, and you will already be trained, and also in pretty good physical shape, so the academy would then be a piece of cake.

You would however still need to deal with the problem of civilian police depts currently being under cuts due to the economy, but in 4 years from now, things may have improved economically. All recessions are simply a matter of time, although the one we are in now is a big one and may last a really long time because all the bubbles that are now bursting have been overdue for a long time.

If you find out you cannot find a civilian job after all that, then you can normally always return to the military and put in your 20 years towards retirement there.

Good luck with your career choices.

[Pasquanel]

A couple more things to consider many smaller PDs work rotating shifts, days 3 months, mids for 3 and nights for 3! Just about the time your body adjust you have another shift change.
Also plan on working many if not most holidays especially until you earn some seniority plus in small Dept's advancement is limited.
Then there is the constant exposure to the more negative side of life which can leave you somewhat jaded. Just some things to consider.

[stoppingpower]

Originally Posted by Pasquanel

A couple more things to consider many smaller PDs work rotating shifts, days 3 months, mids for 3 and nights for 3! Just about the time your body adjust you have another shift change.
Also plan on working many if not most holidays especially until you earn some seniority plus in small Dept's advancement is limited.
Then there is the constant exposure to the more negative side of life which can leave you somewhat jaded. Just some things to consider.

I already do shift work and work some holidays so that don't bother me

[robocop10mm]

LE is not a job, not a career, but a calling...At least it should be. It was a calling for me that became a career long calling. I agree that meeting and talking to the area officers/brass is a good idea, IF you want to continue in LE in that immediate area. Results will vary depending on your State, region, city, county.