I think the biggest down side to the job is the affect on your family. When I started I was single. It took about 8 months to get a regular shift. I was the fill in guy for guys on vacation ,sick etc.
when I did get married and had a regular shift we only got two weekends off every 13 weeks. The second one we had to come in on Sunday over Monday (12-8)
My department had three shifts 8hr each we rotated every week. I was working in construction on the 3-11 and 11-7 shifts. Rotating every week you never can get used to any shift. You have to accept the fact that most of the holidays and weekends you will be working. Once you have kids it becomes even harder.
I don't know where you live but In NJ there are two types of departments one uses Civil Service tests(State run) and the other a Chief's test.
There are good and bad about both. The departments that use Civil Service, the officer has more back up in case of a problem (Reviewed by Civil Service).
You can't be fired for no reason.
The departments that use a Chief's test you can be let go for no reason at all.
The other thing is in a Civil Service dept you just can't change departments you have to retake a Civil Service test (it could take two or more years to make a change)
Remember in the military you can request a transfer if you don't like where you are, not so easy in LE.
The other posters are right on about the paper work and the BS calls, also be ready for a lot of political interference, and unless you are trying to save someones life or their children’s you are POS.
I enjoyed the time I was there and the guys I worked with(most of the time)
But I decided to leave and start my own business. (got divorced any way). I can come and go as I please, if I wanted a day off I could take it. But that rout takes a lot effort and discipline as well.
Good luck