Considering a career change. J/PS opinions sought.

[FatSlob]

To my friends in the J/PS forum, I value your opinions and thoughts. I'm considering a career change from Real Estate to Police. Any cops here? Should I do it? Advantages/Disadvantages over civilian life?

[TX-RAT]

1. If your making money in real estate, stay with it.

Not a lot of money in law enforcement. Have you ever done a ride along with any of the local LEO?

[FatSlob]

2. Money is becoming a non-issue.

I love inheriting money! Yes, I've done a ride-along.

[TX-RAT]

3. I love inheriting money!

That answers my first question.

(I've done a ride-along.)
Then by all means, go for it.

Just remember, your not gonna be very popular. You gotta be thick skinned and have a lot of patience.

[shadu]

4. Do you think you would make a good cop?

I do not. Better think twice about this one.

[TX-RAT]

5. I do not.

Why is that?

[MrBenchley]

10. Can't speak for the other guy...

...but wasn't it fat slob who said out loud here that anybody trudging around with a concealed weapon ouight to be considered by the cops "a good guy" because he probably had a permit? There's the guy I want patrolling the streets....NOT.

He also has this fantasy division of the world into (small "l") libertarians who are good, and authoritarians who are evil....not the healthiest outlook for someone seeking himself to become an authority figure.

Finally, he sure seems obsessed about the prospect of plugging somebody and getting away with it.

[skippythwndrdog]

6. I know where you live.

Go across the river. It's a safer and better managed PD over there.

[FatSlob]

13. Covington or Newport?

[MrSandman]

7. If you can afford it...

And have a lot of flexibility timewise.

It can be a lot of fun, but 1100 to 0700 can get boring.

[FatSlob]

14. Affording it is soon to be no longer an issue.

Inheriting money is fun. I'll get it in another two years.

[Retired AF Dem]

8. Don't quit your day job while you are hunting

Most police depts will post once a year they are hiring. If you are very lucky and get to go through the entire process it can take as long as two years. Stick with large depts, small depts dont want the best, they want who they know. Police work is a rewarding career, just a pain in the ass to get into.

[FatSlob]

15. Thanks for the advice.

[Columbia]

9. Most importantly, why do you want to do it?

And does the female unit support it?

[FatSlob]

16. She like the idea.

(Handcuffs):evilgrin:

I've always held an interest in it. In a few years, I won't have to worry about money anymore, so I can afford the pay cut. I believe that the folks of the thin blue line are integral to our communities, and I think I could aid in making my town a better place.

[TX-RAT]

19. Handcuffs?

Might want to leave that part out of the application.

[Romulus]

11. Be sure to check out different departments

Depending on if you are wedded to a certain region, the pay can vary tremendously from department to department, as well as management styles and institutional culture.

If you want to go into law enforcement for public service, that's great. If you are just trying to get a nationwide CCW, that's bad!! :evilgrin: (just kidding you!!)

One bit of info my bro told me - the Anchorage, AK, PD is one of the highest paying departments out there. My bro said the starting pay is something like $45-50K, and goes up from there. Really good retirement package, too.

Of course, you have to live in Alaska, but it's really nice up there.

Some of his buds eventually quit and moved back to the lower 48 because they either had family ties, they liked their old departments, or they didn't like being in Alaska as much as when they first started.

[FatSlob]

17. I'm looking at the cities of Cincinnati, Norwood, and suburbs.

Starting is over $40K around here.

[Wickerman]

12. A lot fo folks consider it a rewarding career

Some guys jsut like the lights and siren benefit. :)

You have to go through training to be licensed, of course. That takes some time and effort. Being licensed will get you considered in a small municipality where I live. No license, no second look at your applciation.

And, lest I read too much into your username, might want to start working out now and geez, have your wife dress you, you look like a slob.

[FatSlob]

18. Speeding ticket immunity...why else would one want to be a cop?

:evilgrin:

[FeebMaster]

20. National concealed carry. (nt)

[TX-RAT]

23. Speeding ticket immunity...why else would one want to be a cop?"

I got a ticket, while in uniform, and in my patrol car. Young State Trooper, bless his heart.

[FatSlob]

24. An assistant chief whom I'm aquainted with...

got a ticket for 3 mph over in a neighboring jurisdiction. The Asst. Chief was in uniform, in his department issued vehicle.

[DoNotRefill]

21. Don't do it.

getting shot at for $30K a year is a losing proposition. It's fine if you're just starting out and have a sense for adventure and danger, but once you get there and find that it's mostly tedium, it becomes a losing proposition, at least if you don't have an authoritarian disposition.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

22. I'm in the process of doing it as well FS

I'm in the middle of the application process for the county sheriff's department where I live. It's a long process no matter which agency you go to, so be prepared to spend a few months owrking your way through.

As for the drop in pay, I was laid off from a good paying job earlier this year. I've been thinking about doing it for a long time, but the loss of pay kept me from attempting it. With that reason removed, I've got nothing left to lose. I'm bartending again to make the bills, which only motivates me to get in. Bartending just isn't for me anymore.

I'll let you know how the process goes for me from here. So far I have made it through the Physical abilities test, the logic and reasoning written and the initial psych test. All of it was easy. Just get out there and start running right now if you haven't. They use running as a big measure of your overall fitness.