I'm just curious. I met an undercover LEO yesterday at work. He and another LEO where there because the company was expecting a disgruntled employee to be there at a certain time. After the guy came and left peacefully, I struck up a conversation with the one of the officers and I told him how I was interested in becoming a police officer, and we talked for about an hour and gave me some advice about the whole process. He said the biggest part is the oral review board and that one of the questions are "Why do you want to become a police officer?" I'm just curious what the LEO's here said in reply to that answer.

Remember this, dambed if you do, dambed if you don't!

Whatever you say, be honest. You can say how you want to help make your community a better place, we all do. Don't be afraid to expound on the other good reasons like. I'm looking for a steady job with a low chance of getting laid off. I'm looking for good health care benefits to take care of my family. I am looking for a job where the opportunities for advancement are fair to everyone. I'm looking for a job where I can have continuous training and opportunities to do different types of jobs in the same field. I feel comfortable working in a structured work environment with a clear cut rank structure. I am comfortable wearing a uniform. I like the idea of being on my own to make my own decisions without a supervisor looking over my shoulder. I'm confident in my ability to make good judgement decisions. I like the idea of forging close friendships with my coworkers. I am able to gain personal satisfaction for a job that I know I've done well. There are many good reasons for being a cop just look within yourself and be honest about the reasons you want to try it out. I have done background investigations and employment interviews, say anything just don't bore me with the same old "I want to help people". My grandmother wants to help people. I wouldn't recommend her for the job though. Good luck an I hope this gives you something to think about. I just had to add that if your looking at police work as anything other than just a job that needs to be done by people who are qualified and willing to do it then you are in for a rough ride. It's a job, not a crusade, not a way of life. Regardless of how people try to pigeon hole you, the badge and gun do not make the man. Be yourself and treat people the way you would want or expect to be treated if you were them.

Job Security, the way the SOCIALIST
JUDGES dispense justice there will
never be any layoffs. When the economy
turns down crime goes up.

Because I want hi caps and to be able to develop an us vs them attitude.  Also. so I can be a part of the growing police state so I can violate all you civilians civil rights.





It's a joke

Tommorow I go to take the written & physical (if I pass written). Wish me luck!

If I get accepted, free hi-caps for everyone!  [}:D]

Just Kidding. [;D]

I did it so I could give people like Hangfire and Imbroglio something to bitch about.  I like to violate traffic laws for no good reason, pull people over and fuck with them just because I can, and play with all kinds of guns mere mortals can't.  Oh, and did I mention the excellent pay and benefits package?  As well as the adoration of my friends and neighbors?

I became an Army MP kinda impulsively, found I was good at it and the work suited me.

I like being able to make a positive impact on my community. Last month I arrested 7 drunk drivers, including 1 for felony DUI. I had 5-10 other assorted arrests. Got called to 3 suicidal people 2 lived, one was dead before I got there.

One of the suicidal people was a female. Her husband got to the hospital and looked really "busted up". When the hosp. staff were starting to pump her stomach he looked like he would puke or pass out. I asked him if he wanted to step outside, we did. I spent an hour talking to him. He is a decent guy. In short I distracted him while his wife was going through an "icky", procedure. I think I hepled him by keeping his mind of the stomach pumping while it was happening. (we talked about guns and shooting)

I used a defib. on a 57 year old heart attack victim then did CPR until the fire dept relieved me. As I was leaving the scene the FD Lt. stopped me, I thought I might have pulled out in the way of the ambo. or fire truck, he really wouldn't let me go. He shook my hand and said I put forth exceptional effort while doing CPR, the victim 57 yoa, died 3 hrs later. I didn't save him but I did everything I could to give him a chance.  

I captured a car load of characters that were involved in a shooting incident, 8 minutes after it was called in. A witness Id'ed 3 of the 4 as being involved, and a maybe on the forth. 2 had signifigant criminal history and warrants. There was also a golfball sized crack rock in the car.

I was also training 2 new officers for a couple of shifts.

I want to effect my community so it is safer for the good people and less fun for the BG's. I also try to treat people how I would wasnt to be treated if I was in there situtions. I regualry get thanks you's from victims, witnesses, other officers, and yes even people that I arrest or issue citations to.

I got into LE because I wanted to make our world a safer place for all of us.  6 years later, the same basic idea is whay I get dressed and come back to work everyday.  I know I wasen't always the most liked Cop on here, But an on-duty injury that nearly took my life and finding true love have mellowed me a bit.  I became and remain a Police Officer for the betterment of the society we all share.  In short I do it because even now that I am stuck on desk duty, I feel an overwhelming since of pride in what I have done, What I do everyday, And what I will continue to do.

I got into law enforcement by accident-I was looking for a job, and did not want to work in an office or sell stuff.

I stayed because it was nice to make a difference and to help people. You can not save the world, but there is a good deal of personal satisfaction from knowing that you are doing good. Sometimes you can't help people and things don't go right, but even if your only positive experience from a shift is helping someone change a tire or waving at the kids in a neighborhood, every day when you are done, you know you did something to make the world a better place.

That and free ammo.

Free ammo, that is good - Natez[bounce]


Seriously, knowing that I came to work and was ready to step in to assist someone during my eight hours, is a large portion of my motivation.

There is no greater satisfaction than being able to make a differance in someone's life.  It might be, like natez said, waving at the kids on the school bus but it also could entail, taking a dangerous person off the streets.  You might not ever hear back from the person you helped or attempted to help but that is not the motivation.  The motivation comes from the deep from within.  Those who do this job and their motivations are selfish or seeking only the glory; two things will happen.  Either they will get out or they will never become an effective officer but just ride their shift out praying for no calls.

You got to look deeply into your reasons why do you want to do a job where a portion of the people you serve, hate you or wants to kill you. Where the pay is ok, the rotating shifts get old and where if you try to make a differance you still get complained on.  This job is just like a church ministry, it's a calling.  A calling not meant for everyone but a very rewarding calling - if your motivations are pure.

Good luck!

Its the only job I've ever wanted.

From the time my grandfather explained the LEO's are the men and women that make the streets safe for you and your family.  I knew at that moment.  I suspose that its because my grandfather respected LEO's so much and I believe that my work would make him proud.

Rest in Peace Grandpa.

I got into Law Enforcement for all the standard reasons - keep community safe, help out fellow man, etc. etc.  Now ten years later I have to think for a minute...

Yep, still same reasons.  Guess I just can't imagine a better feeling than returning a lost four year old to mommy.

I slid into it gradually. I started as a reserve, then went to part time , and finally full time. The reasons are already posted above. It is one of the few profession where you can actually help people. There are some small perks, but the real reason is to serve. Law enforcement gets in your blood and you know you would not be happy doing something else. You almost get a calling. Oh yea, and I like working nights, weekends, holidays, for little pay and less appreciation!