Tips for a Rookie?

[IrishJoe3]

Hey Joe, something for you to quench the thirst and ease the headache of arguing with a box of rocks:

Thanks brother, that should help my allergies. I get this severe reaction to stupid...

[IrishJoe3]

But....Bobby ..... There is an entire thread from this very forum which illustrates his point. Did you read it?

You lose, he wins.

[Mr. Beretta]

Never go fishing off the company pier.

Always watch the suspect's hands.

You will learn soon enough that police work sometimes mimics life. And life is violent, dirty & not fair.

Never argue with another cop in front of a civilian. Never.

Let your handcuffs and investigations do your talking. Not your mouth.

Use the chain of command.

It's better to avoid a gun fight than to win one.

Make a decision.

Its hard to listen when your talking.

If you look like food when you work the streets, you'll be eaten.

If you want to be in charge, then act like it. Leaders lead from the front.

Some people deserve a break. And some people deserve a fight. Never be shy about giving either.

Somebody was patient with you, when you were "young & dumb". Return the favor & be patient with the young boots.

Respect is earned not given.

Write a good report.

And never forget, a bad attitude is like a flat tire. You can't go anywhere until you change it.

[Atomic Donut]

Too much to pass along - in a nutshell, in general, in no particular order:

Family comes first
It's just a job and you're just a number
Know and do what's right
Work smart and pull your weight
Take care of each other
Stay humble
Use common sense
CYA
Always be improving yourself and those around you
Do you best at whatever you do
Take pictures with those you care about
Stay Safe and have fun

This is a good list. Never bring the job home. Save yourself money and a divorce and make sure you communicate with your wife/husband and always put them first. Don’t ever let the knuckleheads on the street get the best of you and cause you to overact, especially with all the cameras out there, and there is ALWAYS one out there. They have nothing to lose so they will test you. Don’t be a Slug, especially in your early years. Go be proactive, attach to other people’s calls as cover unit, gain experience. Go to as much POST/CNOA/D.A... training as you can. There are a lot of free ones out there that most departments will pay you or give you comp time to go to. I personally always take pics of any guns, large dope busts, aftermath of pursuit and save them. That way after 30 years on the job, I will have a cool portfolio of what I have done. Use Uber if you drink, don’t get into any DV with your partner and last... NEVER kiss off a Domestic Violence. It is a mandatory arrest in Ca and a sure way to get canned if something happens. You’ll still see the old salty dogs doing it old school from time to time but don’t be that guy. CYA.

Also in regards to #3 on Wil-C list. I also disagree. The distrust due to “Bad cops” is an excuse for a lack of respect for authority. Most residents in a city respect and like the police (exception of a few cities). The problem is we deal with a very few of them over and over and over again. I can almost guarantee anyone who has left a bad review/comment/negative feedback of cops has either been lawfully arrested for a crime, or has been lied to by someone they trust who committed a crime. We live in the “YOLO” era where people do not like being told what they can and can’t do, even if it’s illegal. Prime example, you pull over a car, dude is a deuce with a .2% or more BAC and still doesn’t want to take responsibility for his actions. They will try and find some way to suppress evidence because you are a “Bad cop” and did something wrong despite the SFSTs and BAC levels.

[shellslinger]

Thank you guys! I really appreciate all the great advice

I just got cut from field training and now I'll be on my own.

[wazafuzz]

Thank you guys! I really appreciate all the great advice

I just got cut from field training and now I'll be on my own.

Now the fun really begins. (and the learning). Heady feeling, all by yourself.
If you don't have it, get your shift's FTO's phone number so you can call him when you get those cases where you just aren't sure what to do. If you're good you never stop learning, and one day you find yourself as the guy other officers want to call and ask advice.
Take care of each other, leave the work **** in the locker at night and go home safe.
Have a great career!