Should I become an LEO?

[Rocksteady1]

I have a pretty good job/career in banking but its not something I'm truly excited about. I'm interest in law enforcement because I feel there would be more excitement. What am I in for? I live north of San Fran and was thinking about CHP or SFPD. About me: no college degree, 33 years old, married no kids. Thoughts, critiques, what have you?

[Samuelx]

Why would you want to do that? I guess if you want to be overpaid and over- benefitted for a relatively cush/non-dangerous/not very important job, go for it... :rolling my eyes at the ignorant sheep:

Seriously though, if you're sincere, find out as much as you can about the job (including going on as many ridealongs with different LEOs, different agencies, different shifts, different areas, etc as you can), make sure that this (all the positives and negatives) is what you really want to do, and then start applying... If "excitement" is what you're looking for and you already have a good job, also consider being a reserve officer/deputy...

[retired]

This career change is something that if you have not already talked over with your wife in some detail, you need to do so. The hours, the non traditional days off, the holidays and birthdays missed. If you have kids, the events you won't be at, etc. More importantly, the fact that she needs to be aware the possibility exists that you may be seriously injured or not come home again.

Tho the latter can happen on any job and there are more dangerous jobs (for those of you tempted to post it is not even in the top 10 most dangerous; don't bother in this forum).

If she isn't accepting of this, your marriage will be affected and even if she is, it will still be affected to a degree due to the reasons I listed.

Something to think about.

[skyscraper]

I have a pretty good job/career in banking but its not something I'm truly excited about. I'm interest in law enforcement because I feel there would be more excitement. What am I in for? I live north of San Fran and was thinking about CHP or SFPD. About me: no college degree, 33 years old, married no kids. Thoughts, critiques, what have you?

Rocksteady,
I will relate you my current situation because my career is very similar. I currently work for a company making a little over 100k per year, indoors, not very stressful, and also without a college degree( gen ed done, but need two more years for a BS or BA). About 6 months ago I thought long and hard about it and decided to make the change (I had been contemplating it for a few years). I applied to the city and county because both are holding paid academies. And as of yesterday i signed a conditional job offer with one of them and I start the academy in January.

I am happy with the decision I made. Even though I will take a paycut, I knew from the first ride along I went on that it was the career for me. I would rather make less money doing something that is challenging, rewarding, and exciting than the current office job I have.

I will say that this particular forum has a lot of great members that can help you with questions/advice. I have to publicly thank the member Retired because he helped me numerous times through PM's. He has served many years and gave me a good perspective on what to expect in the application process. Good luck

[Rocksteady1]

I guess this is what it's about doing something exciting. Getting out of the groove. Monotony, the little death and all that. I'm just interested in people's stories. Why they did it. Where they came from. Thank you.

[cruising7388]

I have a pretty good job/career in banking but its not something I'm truly excited about. I'm interest in law enforcement because I feel there would be more excitement. What am I in for? I live north of San Fran and was thinking about CHP or SFPD. About me: no college degree, 33 years old, married no kids. Thoughts, critiques, what have you?

IMO, the value of an LEO job is similar to the three criteria used for real estate - location, location and location. If you work for a local PD or SO, you know where you will be living, you and your wife's circle of friends and the quality of schools fors the kids. With the CHP or a Federal agency, you have little choice of job location at the entry level and promotions invariably involve a transfer to some far away place.

BTW. SFPD just announced openings. Don't know if they are for lateral transfers or entry level positions. As the economy improves I think more departments will be hiring again.

[TrailerparkTrash]

You asked for an opinion, so here's mine:

Becoming a cop is not something one thinks hap-hazardly of "gee, should I become a cop???? I just don't know????? Hmmmmm." Most cops I know have had a passion and prepared most of their young lives to eventually become a cop. They've had a mind set to become one and have driven their passions further by preparing for some time before applying and testing for the job.

For example, when I was in high school, my buddy and I just dreamed about being a cop. After high school and four years of college, that dream continued and we did everything to prepare for the job and life style. We were ready "mentally."

At age 33, many have become cops. But I've seen many middle aged or "30 something" people drop what their doing in life, only to fail at becoming a cop. Their "head" just wasn't in the right mind set. It's NOT a job or life style like working at a bank, 7-11, sales, or anything else.

It's not a game buddy. If your looking for "excitement," I recommend you stay in your current career and choose some type of exiting hobby instead.

Just my opinion, which isn't worth much.

As the economy improves I think more departments will be hiring again.

Sorry, but that's not going to happen for a long time. Look at the fiscal projection for 2013. The economy is getting worse. Cali taxes are rising, Fed taxes are rising.... We're screwed. I know, "doom and gloom" here, but one can see it as fact. Didn't Oakland PD not fill like 34 police officer positions recently? San Bernardino city is going bankrupt and they haven't paid into CalPERS for a while.........

Surrrrrrre, the economy is improving. Police departments will always hire here and there, but it's not going to be like it was in the 90's. No more mass hiring.

[Invisible_Dave]

The academy tends to weed out the "lets give this a shot" crowd pretty quickly.

[bobfried]

I live by this dictum:

If you have to ask, don't do it!

[TripleThreat]

One foot in, One foot out

So my dad was an officer in the 60's and 70's. The first time my Father took me for a ride around the block in his patrol car, at 6 years old, I was hooked! My career track was such that it didn't make sense for me to become a full time cop. But I always wanted to be a Police Officer. Always.

Fast forward: At 35 years old, I had put myself through the Academy, applied simultaneously at two places and luckily on the same week received offers from both, selected one and have been there for 17 years. As a part time Police Officer (Reserve) I get to do a lot of things and I don't get burned out because I only have to work once a month, but currently I'm working once to twice a week (I can work as little or as much as I want).

When I work I have fun, more fun then I can explain in writing, that's the good. The bad is most Officers are full time and this job tends to make damaged goods out of about 80% of those that stay in 20+ years. It's that kind of job, you see so much, you sacrifice so much, you have some many opportunities good and bad, that it takes a special person to do the job and come out the other end whole. This job destroyed my Father, it was just too much for him, he was bigger, wiser and more mature than I and it bit him. Since I only work part-time, it seems I have none of the ill affects and all of the benefits, if you will. If you become a Reserve Officers and you get to keep your current job, check out the career and can always lateral to full time if you find it fits you and your life style.

Consider putting yourself through the Academy and becoming Reserve Officer, most jurisdiction have such a program, sans the CHP. It's rewarding, easy on the body and soul, and you'll have more fun then the full time officers by a country mile.

Hope this helps,

Triple

[Ron-Solo]

My son in law was in banking/mortgage industry, but was always interested in LE. With two of his best friends, his brother, and his father in law entrenched in LE, he had a good idea of what he was getting into. He was making more money before the economy tanked, but always had an interest. His area of the industry tanked about a year before everyone else, and he was able to get hired relatively soon. He has been a police officer almost five years now, and loves what he is doing.

[Watchur6]

I will share a little of my background with you, I am not a police officer but I am in law enforcement. I began looking into law enforcement when I was in my late teens. I began working full time when I was 19 years old. By the time I was 20 I began to apply for a couple different agencies. I applied for a park ranger position and was told to No, i assumed it was due to my age at the time. I applied for a sheriff trainee position and a probation position. The probation position was the first to call and start the process. I understood probation work and that it differed from patrol but all I wanted was to get a foot in the door and figure out where I wanted to go from there. Well I got hired with probation at the age of 20 and started the academy a few days after my 21st birthday. I am now going on 5 years with the department. It has been a rollercoaster. Things have been up and down due to the budget. We experienced layoffs and demotions. At first I promoted rather quickly but was soon demoted due to the economy, it frustrated me and to this day I am still in the position that I was demoted to. What gets me through the different challenges of the job is my passion for the work I do. I am in corrections and I have to say with all the ups and downs I still love what I do. The pay cut from the demotion was pretty significant and it has caused some hardships but it will get better one day. I am now 25 years old and I am not focusing on the now but the future, my plans are to promote back to my old position and eventually get out into the field working a gang unit or some other specialized unit that is offered. With my department this is a very competitive route but it is what I want to do. The reason I am saying all of this is to show you that it is not just a career change, it's a life change. For me this is a passion and it is all I ever want to do. I have invested a lot as others have and I cannot imagine doing anything else. I'm sorry if I sound preachy but I felt I had to share my experience with you. Make sure it is your passion and that when the chips are down (they will be) that your passion and drive for the job is what gets you through. Most work all holidays, new years eve and so on, if you plan on having kids there will be times when you have to leave your wife home alone all night or on holidays so you can go work out in the streets or sit in a jail. I work graveyards and the hardest thing is leaving my wife and 6 month old baby home alone all night 5 days a week. I am lucky to have such an understanding, loving and strong wife that puts up with the shift and stress. I hope this helps in some way, i just felt i had to share this with you. Good luck.

[cop1211]

I would keep the job you have now, and go reserve to see if you "like it" before leaving a good job.

[Linh]

So you work 9-5 with weekends and holidays off and make good money and married.

You want to give that up for unknown work schedule, overtime, working weekends and holidays making low wage and on top of that getting into fights, shot at etc....and you'll have a higher rate of divorce as well.

But at the end of the day you should do what makes you happy.

[old bear]

Rocksteadt 1 With all respect if you have to ask a question like that on an Internet forum the answer is not only NO, but hell No. I spent 27 years on the job, which it's not it's a life commitment.