Posted: 7/15/2014 11:20:48 PM EDT
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I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience.
1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. |
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Quoted:
I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Every day is different, every call is different. You get out of it what you put into it, and in probably any but the very smallest of agencies you can move around and do different things over the course of your career. 2.The politics, both internal and external. 3. In individual cases, sure. With the frequent fliers, not so much. They want what they want, and they've been dealing with one or another person in uniform longer than most of the younger officers they interact with have BEEN in uniform. For the average common citizen who only calls us occasionally yeah I like to think that they are getting the help they need. 4. Absolutely. Wouldn't do anything else. |
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1. Pay. Time off. CDI factor. No day is the same. Relative autonomy to do what you want. Occasionally get to chase and catch real bad guys.
2. Internal politics. Courts. 3. You will not make the world a better place. Overall, you maintain a status quo, not letting things get totally fucked up. Sometimes you have a positive effect on the situation. Sometimes a victim will look to you like you're their only salvation and you can have a profound effect on people in those moments. 4. Large enough department, in a big enough city, with more than enough stuff to do, with very decent pay, bennies and time off. Once you accept the realities of the job, it's still one of the most satisfying things you can do. |
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Quoted:
I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1)Interacting with people, everyday is different so it doesn't become some boring routine, front row seat to the greatest show on earth, and the relatively good pay. 2)Paperwork and dealing with ignorant, self entitled people, though that can sometimes be fun too. 3)Yes, quite a few times. And knowing this is sometimes the best thing to keep ya going on some hard day's. 4)Definetely!! I've been doing it 7 years and every night when I'm headed home I think "I can't believe I get paid to do this!" |
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My sarcastic answers :)
1. Badge Bunnies 2. Badge Bunnies 3. I feel I've made no difference with Badge bunnies :) 4. Sometimes badge bunnies are all worth it 
My honest answer is that it is a rewarding career and for all of the crap, the bashing, the miserable days, the injuries over the years, and the absolutely miserable/horrible things I've seen.... I can't imagine a different way of life or a better more rewarding career. When I was an FTO I used to tell my Rookies that is was a calling to the greater good. You can be there and make a difference no matter how small, it is a positive difference to either that individual or you community. If you aren't meant for it, you will know it and it will show. Try it... you might be good at it and find your calling. |
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Quoted:
I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. The freedom to roam the county, every day is different. 2. Society as a whole turning LE into a PUBLIC FLUNKY job. 3. Yes. 4. The answer depends on the specific day the question is being asked, see #2 above... 
Other than owning/operating a small gun shop and shooting range, I seriously can't see myself doing anything other than LE work for now. |
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Quoted:
I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1) Pay, people I work with. Bosses (Lt and Higher) not included. 2) Dealing with internal PD crap. Get used to it if you want to work at a PD. 3) On a small level, sure. Couple problem areas I've put forth effort and seen some good results, solving the problem long term. You will not make a difference in a grand scheme of things. 4) Can be. It is what you make of it. Don't let the job get to you like it does most cops 4-7 years on. |
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1. The days where I get paid to go to the range or do cool stuff in training. The hot calls that are kinda once in a life time. IE the calls that make doing the job worth it.
2. Politics/internal BS that goes along with the LE chain of command. IE some places you have brass that are just looking for reasons to screw people over or write them up. Also dealing with complete BS calls 90% of the time. 3. Might be kind of jaded but not really. I think LE is a constant struggle, almost like good vs evil, and without LE everything would be chaotic/out of hand. But I don't feel like you can actually see the world becoming a better place for anything you do. If anything its just a struggle to maintain a civilized society. Then you get LE haters (GD is famous for this) who are just ignorant as hell and don't know how bad things are/how bad things would be if we didn't have people doing the job. 4. It really depends. If you want to be a hero and 'make a difference' you're going to be disappointed. Your going to lock up people then see them back on the street a few days/weeks later. Your going to do a good job and lock up felons and be hated for it by some people. Your going to have people try to fight you or kill you for you simply trying to do your job. If you ever have to shoot someone 99% of the feedback on the internet, from the family/friends/internet commando's will be outright lies and falsehoods against you. You'll probably have someone try to sue you at one point or another and you will receive bullsh!t complaints on occasion if you do your job. I'd say the better you are at your job, the more you'll be hated/the more complaints you'll get/the more lawsuits you get. I look at it like a job/career. I do my job and I go home. Once the uniform comes off I don't second guess anything I did or worry about anything. I don't let the stress get to me either. I don't go out there expecting or hoping to be some kind of a hero or to make a difference, because I know if that's my mentality I'll get burnt out. You save 1 life, you watch 10 more die that you weren't able to save. It really is a grind. Also a lot depends on the area you work. Where I work a busy night (12hr shift) I might run 30-40 calls. Some nights its hard to get to eat. At least, before midnight when every place that sells food closes. Some nights may be completely dead though. (Its rare). Bottom line is we are short handed and the environment isn't really conducive to having a surplus of people. Is it worth it? It really depends. 90% of the time I'm doing secretary like paperwork and listening to morons complain about BS. The other 10% of the time is driving fast, running, fighting, the shootings/near shootings, etc. Since I like that stuff its worth it. My only real complaint is I wish I made more money.
I think the job is worth doing for a few years so your eyes can be opened to how bad the world/society really is. You'll never look at things the same again. |
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"The street was here before you came and will be here after you leave." Most L.E. work is a grinding routine of refereeing dysfunctional people's unbelievably fucked up lives. Most officers spend most of their career in patrol. If you can't or won't face that, don't do it. |
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1. I love that I'm not on patrol. 90% of my job is being a narcotics detective. I hated patrol something fierce. 2. Dealing with petty shit. I don't care that your yard was damaged or your mailbox is missing. You'll never find who did it and if somehow you did, they'd just have to pay it back. 3. Sometimes maybe but not really. Nowadays I believe I am. 4. Depends on what kind of BS it is. Some can be ignored and worked around. Some cannot. |
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Quoted:
1. Every day is different, every call is different. You get out of it what you put into it, and in probably any but the very smallest of agencies you can move around and do different things over the course of your career. 2.The politics, both internal and external. 3. In individual cases, sure. With the frequent fliers, not so much. They want what they want, and they've been dealing with one or another person in uniform longer than most of the younger officers they interact with have BEEN in uniform. For the average common citizen who only calls us occasionally yeah I like to think that they are getting the help they need. 4. Absolutely. Wouldn't do anything else. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Every day is different, every call is different. You get out of it what you put into it, and in probably any but the very smallest of agencies you can move around and do different things over the course of your career. 2.The politics, both internal and external. 3. In individual cases, sure. With the frequent fliers, not so much. They want what they want, and they've been dealing with one or another person in uniform longer than most of the younger officers they interact with have BEEN in uniform. For the average common citizen who only calls us occasionally yeah I like to think that they are getting the help they need. 4. Absolutely. Wouldn't do anything else. Spot on |
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"The street was here before you came and will be here after you leave." Most L.E. work is a grinding routine of refereeing dysfunctional people's unbelievably fucked up lives. Most officers spend most of their career in patrol. If you can't or won't face that, don't do it. 
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Quoted:
I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday |
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Quoted: 1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday Quoted: Quoted: I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday |
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Yup Quoted:
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I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday 
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1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday Quoted:
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I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday You work M-F 08:00-1700? Weird. Administrator? |
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1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday Quoted:
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I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday Doubletap |
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"The street was here before you came and will be here after you leave." Most L.E. work is a grinding routine of refereeing dysfunctional people's unbelievably fucked up lives. Most officers spend most of their career in patrol. If you can't or won't face that, don't do it.  http://youtu.be/b54EEpdv9q8I'm re-watching that show for 4th or 5th time right now. Mother fucking truth there. With every year, more meanings come out of it. |
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1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday Quoted:
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I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Friday, 5pm 2. Monday, 8am 3. No 4. No, but it's worth the check every other Friday You work days, and have weekends off? Nothing to complain about. J/K 
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1. A) Catching bad guys. B) Something different every day...you never know what is going to happen or when. 2) Paperwork....lots of paperwork. 3. Yes...in the lives of a few people 4. Yes. This... Except instead of paperwork,(which does suck), I severely dislike the politics involved in this career path. |
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1. What do you love most about your job.
Driving fast with the lights on. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? The pay. 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? No, on a large scale. Yes, for some individuals with police contact. 4. Is it worth all of the BS? Yes, without a doubt. |
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Quoted:
I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1. Putting a case together that is so airtight the defense has to take a plea because there are no loopholes. Doesn't matter if it's just something off a simple traffic stop or a murder case.....putting a case together is fun. I like going to court too. Love testifying on the stand. 2. Taking animal calls (I work for a sheriff's office). We have a lot of city folks who move to urban areas and they don't understand what goes into farm life. They also insist on messing with injured, protected wild animals and then don't understand why we tell them to turn the animal loose to let it die. A close second is shots fired calls. People target practice out in the county. It's legal. Stop griping about it. As long as they are shooting in a safe direction (and 99% of shooters are shooting in a safe direction), don't call us. It's legal. Move to town if you don't want to hear your neighbor shooting. 3. I know I've made a difference. No, I don't put my Superman costume on and go save the world. I have no illusions that I have saved everyone. I haven't. But, I have made a difference in some people's lives and if we weren't doing our jobs, society would be a disaster...MUCH MUCH worse than it is now. Yes I do sometimes feel that I'm fighting a losing battle....but fighting for what's right is always worth fighting for. 4. It's worth it to me. I love my job. Been a cop for over 13 years. Have worked patrol, narcotics, and investigations. I have loved it my whole career and still love it. Yes I've had some shitty bosses...but I've had some good ones too. Law enforcement is something that, from what I have seen, you'll know within 5 years if it's for you or not. The first few years, it's all new and interesting. After about 5 years, you start seeing the same things over and over and the people you locked up early in your career now are getting out and you are doing it all over again. You either accept it or you don't. |
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I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 1) That I can get paid for some of the best, weirdest, funniest experiences that you just can't make up. The agency you work for will be like your family and your brothers and sisters (most anyway, the ones not looking out for themselves) will have your back. 2) That sometimes you think you don't get paid enough for this job. Crappy schedules, difficult home/family life. Court. That REAL shitbags and criminals that deserve it don't get the "street justice" like they would in the movies. All the paperwork. People that "weren't there" or don't work in this profession always talk about what Cops "should" have done in a certain scenario or how they could do it better. 3) 50/50. I've impacted some lives positively, others negatively. One person praising your work/efforts and thanking and saying how much they love you one day will be cursing your name the next day when you're arresting them or a loved one. 4) Usually yes. **A note on "Badge Bunnies"...I will leave you with this simple quote: "The Badge may get you Pussy, but the Pussy will get your Badge". |
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I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. A. Being a K9 officer. B. About 95% of it. C. No, you hold the line just like the cop before you, and just like the cop after you. D. Not really. |
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1. What do you love most about your job. --------------- Helping people and getting the "bad guy".
2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? ---------- Drama from within the department and anti police sentiment across the country. 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? ------------ Yes 4. Is it worth all of the BS? ------------- Not anymore, the job has changed alot over the past 17yrs. Be a fireman! |
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1. No shift is ever the same. The job is pretty secure as well as long as you don't do anything stupid. 2. Raising people's kids and even adults when I don't even have kids myself. 3. I've impacted children's lives in a good way without a doubt and the few people who actually needed help. It's the other 99% who expect us to mediate their marriages, raise their kids and expect us to give a shit when they've made bad life decisions. 4. There are days when you love what you do then a lot of them are spent wondering why you didn't hitch up with that lawyer chick or finish your degree. |
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1. What do you love most about your job. I get to see and do things that few people experience. Catching bad people who prey on the vulnerable. I'm not tied to a desk/factory workstation. Playing with cool toys for free. Decent income and benefits/pension (although that's changing and I wouldn't join under the new conditions-UK though) 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? Paperwork, working custody (hate it with a passion), and fighting the stupidity of my own organisation. 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? Yes I know i have, but whether for good or bad I will leave to the judgement of others. 4. Is it worth all of the BS? Yes, for my time. Forthcoming generations of UK Officers, no. |
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1) Every day is different and I get a lot of freedom. I get paid to drive around and help people.
2) Shitty equipment. I had to really think for this one. 3) I don't try to change the world, I just try to make one interaction with the police a good one for someone every day. 4) For new guys it's not all it used to be. They are taking away the retirement, taking away the benefits, and taking away the pay. These are the reasons a lot of people do this job. I think I would still do it today no question. I enjoy coming in to work still. |
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Quoted: I'm in the process of trying to get into the Police Academy, and I want to hear from guys that have had experience. 1. What do you love most about your job. 2. What is your least favorite aspect of your job? 3. Do you feel like you've made a difference? 4. Is it worth all of the BS? I'm sure this is the career path I want to go into, but I would like to hear any answers to all or some of these questions. 2. Internal politics, external politics, and public opinion. Paperwork and court suck too 3. in the very short term yes, but over time you are just holding the line as other have said 4. Not even close, but yet you can't picture doing anything else |
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1. Catching bad guys and as a boss keeping my people out of trouble. 2. Dealing with the same dysfunctional assholes over and over. 3. On an individual level certainly. I had no expectations of stopping all crime or saving the world before becoming a cop though. 4. yes. If I won the lottery tonight I would continue doing my job. |