Off Topic: Police Officers, and People in Law Enforcement, Read This!!

[miniwyo]

I am a college student here in Rock Springs, and I am thinking of changing majors. I am looking into one that would take me into a career in that field. What can you tell me about the profession? What does it take to be a police officer? What is the pay like?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

miniwyo,

I almost became a police officer right before I hired out with the railroad. It helps to have a college degree, but it doesn't have to be in criminal justice, but that helps. Also, military experience is huge. Be in good physical condition, be able to bench at least your body weight, run 1 1/2 miles in about 10 minutes, complete an obsticle course and take a few exams as well as an interview. Also, go on a few ride alongs with your local law enforcment agency and get a feel for it. I loved my ride along, we got a variety of things such as a car accident, and then another car accident that resulted in this loser getting arrested because he was drunk and high. I felt real good about hauling his loser rear into the slammer. He threatened me and harrassed the officer and I the whole ride to county jail, but he was so intoxicated it was more amusing than anything. Competition was fierce where I was at, but I ranked 18 out of 400 people and was an alternate, so I probably would have gotten on in another year, but the RR opportunity came along and I went with that. If I had made it I would have been sent to the U of Illinois for the police academy and would have had to pass that as well, but the hardest part in my eyes is getting in. The position offered in my area was for about 42,500 salary the first year and it went up considerably after that. I never walked in the shoes of a police officer, but I came close. Hope somebody who actually wears a badge can give you more. Good luck. And go with what makes you happy.

[kschmidt]

I have been a Deputy Sheriff for almost 14 years. It is not easy to step into Law Enforcement. Alot of people take the tests and only a few get hired. Sometimes it takes years. I actually got lucky, here in Milwaukee when I got hired the County Sheriff was going to open a new jail and needed to hire a significant number of new people. But I still had to take a physical agility test, written test and I believe two oral examines. Plus pass the background where detectives actually came out to my neighbor and talked to neighbors, so don't have any skeletons in the closet.

I have enjoyed my time as a Deputy, I have worked in the county jail where I did fingerprint analysis. I also worked for 5 years teaching the DARE program, that was a great experience. Currently I am serving Court Papers as a Process Server.

Another thing is many departments now want candidates that are already certified law enforcement officers in their state. This usually happens when a new hire goes for training, but now many departments would prefer to hire someone already trained and certified then all they have to do is put them with a training officer, it saves money. Some colleges offer State Police Certification courses.

As far as pay on our department we are currently in a battle over pay scales. It takes a new deputy 13 years to get to top pay. Pay starts at $16.00/hr ($33,000/yr) and tops out at $26.00/hr (52,000/yr). Most departments in our area it only takes 5-6 years to make top pay.

I hope this information helps out and Good Luck.

Keith

[BNSFGP38]

As far as job requirements, its a very brooooaaaaddddd question. Ask the departments you want to work for.......not us.

Its fun. It can get old and suck, depends on who else is on the road with you. I make it fun cause I like to go out and stir up some***. Although it isnt my bread and butter job.


Just use your head out there. [8]

[Anonymous]

I've been a deputy sheriff for a rural Alabama county for two and a half years. During that time, I have worked road patrol as well as in the jail. I have also been shot at, shot back, beaten, and done some beating myself. I'm pushing 50 years old and I managed to get through the state academy near the top of my class, both academically and physically. I belong to a small department, compared to some.

My pay is $28,000 per year. There is plenty of overtime available, and sometimes it's mandatory. It's a depressing job; I have had personal contact with seven murderers in the short time I have been here. It's a happy making job; sometimes I beat the fire trucks and ambulances to the scene of a medical call and actually help someone. It's a boring job; nothing wears you out faster than delivering court papers at 10:50PM on a Sunday night. It's an exciting job, because there is no other place in the world where you can drive at a high rate of speed with lights and sirens going and actually have people get out of your way. You make a lot of friends who will be with you for life. They are all cops. You will lose a lot of friends who don't feel comfortable around "po-leeese" and everyone will tell you how well you could do your job if only you chased bank robbers and busted drug dealers all the time.

I love this job because the people who work with me are the best in the world and I feel safe having them around. I hate this job because I will see the absolutely, positively, worst side human beings can present to the world... and I worry about getting used to it.

The advice about taking a ride along is a good one. Take more than one, and take it with different officers or deputies. Ask them the questions you have and listen to them answer. And remember... what is said in the patrol car stays in the patrol car... even the ones with microphones.

Good luck.
Erik

[spbed]

Wow what a change of life. Kudos to you if you go thru with it. If you marry your wife will dread each day you go to work though.[:D][:D]

Originally posted by miniwyo
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Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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