Quote History Quoted:
Why did you get out of LE?
View Quote
A combination of things. Where I worked was not close to where I was born and raised and I wanted to be closer to family and raise my daughter around her grandparents as well as to be in a safer, quite environment. We had planned to move back for years but the job kept me away from home.
In terms of professionally, my agency had gone downhill and was continuing to decline. There was no integrity amongst the leadership and they could not be trusted. Pay and benefits were continually declining and the quality of officers continued to spiral downward as the social climate and recruiting and retention rates fell.
I absolutely loved my work. But, the atmosphere had become so toxic that there was no reason to stay other than the love of the job and my teammates.
Now that I'm out of LE, I realize how much the work meant to me. I want to continue service and be a part of a career that makes people's lives better and safer. My whole life has been some form of service and protecting people and I've found that I need that sense of purpose. I also miss the comradely and the structure.
I did what I thought was best for my family and myself and I think my family is better for it. I just need something in my life that is fulfilling again.
I've applied locally with little to no return calls. The area is very small with small budgets. So, they tend to prefer certified officers and who you know plays a huge role in your selection here.