Should I become a police officer?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Should I become a police officer?

Posted: 1/11/2006 3:19:51 PM EDT

I been thinking about my future alot. I want to fly but don't really want to fly for airlines. So I got to thinking, police helicopters. How hard is it to be one? Does it pay well? Also how about an Officer? I know the job is dangerous but, how dangerous? Do officers make good (enogh) money?

P.S. Sorry for crappy paragraph. Don't know how else to word it.

Posted: 1/11/2006 8:45:52 PM EDT

[#1]

Not many agencies have air units. Pick your agency carefully, and if thats all you are getting into the career for, think about your choice carefully. Why not fly for the military?

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:03:09 PM EDT

[#2]

2 words, med flights! Those guys are bad ass! I'm a cop and firefighter and just the other day I had to assist a med flight land. Those guys fly circles around police helos. If your real lucky get on with a large fire department's air unit like Orange County fire department's FireStar. Those guys are pilot, paramedic and firefighter roled into one.

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:03:26 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Why not fly for the military?

bout the only place to learn to fly no PD is gonna teach ya and you sure don't want to pay for it by yourself

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:06:28 PM EDT

[#4]

Good majority of police chopper pilots are ex-military, that should say something.

ETA: The pay isn't great. Enough to get by. Lots of officer moonlight to make some extra cheese. And the moonlight gigs usually pay better than regular police pay. Lucky for me, my wife makes double what I get paid.

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:07:18 PM EDT

[#5]

How hard is it to shoot a dog from a helicoptor?

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:23:18 PM EDT

[#6]

I don't honestly know if I could reccomend it. Sometimes it's the best job in the world. Often (last week) it's the worst. More often (today) it's among the worst.

-K

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:24:08 PM EDT

[#7]

Only if you get married to 1911Greg.

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:29:11 PM EDT

[#8]

Go to school. Get a degree. Apply to Federal LEAs. Enjoy your life.

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:29:59 PM EDT

[#9]

Been doing it part time for three years. Some times it sucks. The bad guys seem to get a slap on the wrist the court system is f*^ked. The hours suck, and no matter what I do the good people are always getting crimes committed against by some dirt bag thug. there is no end in sight but I keep doing it sometimes it pays off when you get to help somebody broke down or a child is lost. These are the times when it is all worth it . I am there to help in any way I can. I want people know when they call for help or assistance they are getting someone who is proffessinal and courteous. remember a smile and some kind words go a long way in law enforcement. People remeber you as a good cop not some jerk. Just my.02 cents

Posted: 1/12/2006 12:26:55 PM EDT

[#10]

You might want to pose your question over at Glocktalk as well; they have a dedicated aviation forum there.

Posted: 1/12/2006 4:41:33 PM EDT

[#11]

Prior military, loads of time as a pilot, degree(s), and be able to be a good cop FIRST, and a pilot second.

If you can't say yes to all of the above, you really aren't even in the running.

Posted: 1/12/2006 5:03:53 PM EDT

[#12]

Don't get your hopes up; competition is fierce to get in a helicopter. Plan on years and years as a grunt on the ground in a '98 Crown Vic with 250,000 miles and a broken air conditioner before you get airborne. Oh yea, and if you haven't already, start drinking and if you are married, save some trouble and divorce your wife right now. HA!

Posted: 1/12/2006 5:07:26 PM EDT

[#13]

Better stock up on running dog targets to practice before you go to qualify.

Posted: 1/12/2006 5:09:07 PM EDT

[#14]

The majority (read all or close to it) of medevac chopper pilots, police chopper pilots, or just about any other commercial chopper pilot is a former Military chopper pilot. By far the best training you can get.

Posted: 1/12/2006 5:12:15 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
How hard is it to shoot a dog from a helicoptor?

Not hard, you just have to lead them more.

Posted: 1/12/2006 5:41:07 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quoted:
How hard is it to shoot a dog from a helicoptor?

Not hard, you just have to lead them more.

GET SOME!!!

Posted: 1/12/2006 6:03:35 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
How hard is it to shoot a dog from a helicoptor?

Not too hard if your wearing an uber tactical mask.

Posted: 1/12/2006 6:35:48 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
How hard is it to shoot a dog from a helicoptor?

Ever see Jerry Lewis in the bell boy? Or who is it that has that dancing mouse in the cross hairs???

Can get hard,very hard!!! Course thats what machine guns are made for!!!!

Bob