Going into law enforcement

[Hank15]

Hi everyone,

I am still in the process of being hired and have gone through all steps of the process successfully thus far.

Hopefully I'll be able to utilize all your advice soon !

One thing I want to share and emphasize with anyone who is reading this thread and is thinking about going to law enforcement is...

Train very hard. And by that I mean you should work your way up to be able to run 8 miles at about a 10 minute per mile pace. You should also be able to do 4 sets of 50 push ups at the end of your 8 mile run. These are just the bare minimum.

Some bigger agencies offer a pre academy workout, and they train you like they would in the academy. That means if you can't keep up in the runs or exercises, your fellow classmates suffer by...you guessed it, more running and more exercise. As one of the instructors stated: "We are as strong as our weakest link."

Thanks again for all your help. I will update this thread from time to time.

Stay safe out there.

[Hank15]

Hi everyone,

I am still in the process of being hired and have gone through all steps of the process successfully thus far.

Hopefully I'll be able to utilize all your advice soon !

One thing I want to share and emphasize with anyone who is reading this thread and is thinking about going to law enforcement is...

Train very hard. Like ArgoK1 said

Start running now, you'll be doing a lot of it.

And by that I mean you should work your way up to be able to run 8 miles at about a 10 minute per mile pace. You should also be able to do 4 sets of 50 push ups at the end of your 8 mile run. These are just the bare minimum.

Some bigger agencies offer a pre academy workout, and they train you like they would in the academy. That means if you can't keep up in the runs or exercises, your fellow classmates suffer by...you guessed it, more running and more exercise. As one of the instructors stated: "We are as strong as our weakest link."

As a side note, make sure you attend those workout sessions, because they push you harder than you would if you work out by yourself. Also, it gets you accustomed to the training environment in the academy and gives you a good idea of what you're getting yourself into.

Thanks again for all your help. I will update this thread from time to time.

Stay safe out there.

[CBR_rider]

And after all that running in the academy your longest foot pursuit during your career will probably be far short of a mile. My longest so far is about a quarter mile. And yes, I caught him, but I really do prefer chasing in a car or sending in a land shark instead.

Good luck to you on getting picked up by the agency you are hoping for!

[Hoopty]

Couple words of advice...
Become a good patrol cop first.. Then think about promotion.
Always ride with your windows down.. You can't hear anything with them up.
Once you figure out which path you want to go down (supervision, detective, etc), work harder to achieve your goal.
Don't be a yes man (butt kisser), you will loose respect from your peers.
Don't type and drive at the same time.
If you have a spouse, keep her involved.. Tell her about your day. They worry and are curious about what you do..
Practice Contact and Cover (contact officer talks, cover officer watches)
There is no disgrace in working patrol for your career.
Motors is the best job on the department!!!!!!

The question you have on that book... They will tell you what to read to prepare for promotions. Don't put the cart before the horse.. Become the best patrol cop you can be before putting in for promotions, etc.. There are a lot of folks that promote without doing any time in patrol. Do your time first, you will gain more respect from your peers and or subordinates. Any other questions pm me

[Notorious]

If you promote without putting in time as a good patrolman, you will suck at whatever else it is you do. There's no getting around putting in good time for patrol. That is the foundation of police work.

As for talking about your work... don't overload your GF or spouse. Yes, they want to know, but somethings, they don't need to know. You want to keep them up all night because you told them for the umpteeth time how close you came to being hurt or killed everytime you did something dangerous? Think about how much you would worry if your spouse did that. Yes, talk to them, but edit smartly.

Have to disagree about motors. Best job on the department, FTO. No way around it. It is what it is. FTO's FTW!

[9mmepiphany]

Have to disagree about motors. Best job on the department, FTO. No way around it. It is what it is. FTO's FTW!

Have to agree with this. The best job on a department is FTO.

This is your mark on the department and your trainees are your legacy. It is even better when you meet a newer officer who tells you that his FTO taught him techniques he learned from you...although it is a little scary the first time you hear, "Oh, I've heard about you"

[Jonnyboy182]

One thing I want to push-ALWAYS take the paper on a call that you can/should. No one likes a new guy who pawns off paper. We had one guy who FI'd somoene, ended up finding a felony warrant. Instead of hooking him up he looked at another deputy and said "can you take this for me?" before walking away. Don't be that guy.

And to the second... focus on the academy (if you havent done one yet), then focus on the policies of your department. (IE use of force, shooting, pursuit,) the promotions will come when they will .

Good luck

[diverwcw]

A stunning testimonial Hank. There was a lot of good advice given. To answer a couple of your questions: Yes, keep in contact with your TO. While you are the trainee it will be a very official relationship. After you get out of his/her car they will always be your TO. Even after I promoted to Sergeant, I used to think, "How would Rick handle this situation?" There is no shame in asking your peers or even those junior to you for advice, they might see something you don't.

You are gonna screw up from time to time. Take your licks and move on. Learn from the experience and don't rationalize.

Best of luck! I did 32 years total. I miss it from time to time, but it was time for me to go.

[Hoopty]

FTO= working graveyards, 261 reports, paper units...

Motors= take home ride, no 261 reports, NO graveyards!!! Need I say more


(Was an FTO for 8 years ).

[Plinyyounger]

Be Ethical
Don't be a dick
Keep your dick in your pants and only share it with your wife
Spend within your means
Buy very good reliable gear
Don't be lazy
Always follow the rules
Treat people with respect even when they are duchbags
Write excellent reports
Don't complain when your boss asks for you to go above and beyond
Don't be a "union" guy who only does the minimum
Stay professional, look professional, be professional.


Those are just a few I can think of in two minutes!

[Notorious]

FTO= working graveyards, 261 reports, paper units...

Motors= take home ride, no 261 reports, NO graveyards!!! Need I say more

(Was an FTO for 8 years ).

Motors... TC reports and accident reconstructions and standing around directing traffic at TC scenes... and your skin gets all leathery and chapped from the sun and wind... and you can never have a cool haircut with all the gel while working. Riding for me is for fun. When you get paid to ride, it becomes work.

I don't mind doing all the stuff above as a FTO, because the more I make my trainee work, the more I work, the more I stay sharp, and the more I learn as well. Working and doing all the stuff you said is not a minus for me. I volunteer for nights and weekends because that's where police work gets done.

If I wanted a take home ride and no paper, I would have just gone K9.