I would really like to pe a cop more so a detective...plainclothes man doing investigations but my main concern is being able to raise a family....living Large is not my concern but more so living comfortably and affording things nice Not luxorious and being able to pay for kids going to college....any thoughts suggestions? Comments? Or any ideas?
2006-09-03 13:38:20 · 10 answers · asked by Darkness 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Free Dounuts! All I can say...
2006-09-03 13:44:02 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin H. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To assist you in your decision making:
You might already have an idea of what department you think about joining. Go to that department, or the city hall for that city, and inquire about a job description announcement. It will list the ranges of salary for the position of police officer, including the raises that you can expect as you progress a few years. That will give you an idea of "how much" might you get on your paycheck, then account for taxes and (well, there's always a few other deductions too). But it will give you a ballpark idea.
Police officers often have other side-job opportunities that relate to their work. Some work these jobs for extra cash. They are approved jobs, not sneaky, and can be extra security for maybe downtown events, or traffic control while road work is done, all kinds of things. A local officer is the best resource for this information.
Officers, just like anyone else, invest their money in a number of ways to prepare for paying college tuitions, buying a home, etc. There are many opportunities for you to save.
You must first joing a police department or sheriff's department as an entry level police officer, before you can transition into any other assignment like detective. A police detective is actually a promotion (in a way). You don't just study for it and then join a PD as a detective. You need street experience and other investigative experieces first. But you can do that. It's accessible. Not at all impossible. Depending on the size of the department, you might reach the detective job in as early as 5 years, or maybe longer. But as a patrol officer, you are also doing detective/investigating work, just in uniform. Do it well there and it aids you in going to plain clothes.
Start with getting the job announcement bulletin to look at the pay scales.
2006-09-03 15:12:07 · answer #2 · answered by nothing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first thing i think most people don't think about when going into law enforcement is the fact that you deal with the worst part of the public...you deal with the 2 percent of the population that is bad...for most of the day...that can warp you sense of what people are really like
i know a lot of police officers that do not have any faith in other people...they think every one is runnig around being stupid...in their minds since all the people they deal with are bad...then all people are bad.
i am not saying don't do it for that reason...but always keep that thought in the back of your head when dealing with people
now your main concern if raising a family...money wise you will be ok...not poor not rich...just ok...obviously you would make more as a lawyer (the courses of study are very similar) but none the less you can make decent enough money...but another thing to consider is the fact that police officers have a very high divorce rate...i don't know why...they just do...
but if you want to be a detective...then do it...i also know a lot of police officers that are some of the greatest people i know...they all have a good head on there shoulders...even before they were a police officers...just be sure it is what you want...and don't base anything you want ot be by what you see on tv
what ever your decision...good luck
2006-09-03 14:30:14 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't be a detective right away. It takes time. Officers in the suburbs usually make more money than a city cop. You can afford those things if you save for them.
2006-09-03 13:46:32 · answer #4 · answered by goldielocks123 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To ber a detective,you will be needing that diploma. Police work is stressful enough,but detective work is more. Do you think you'll be able to handle NOT bringing the job home everyday?
2006-09-03 13:46:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on where you live and work, you can definitely live on a cop's salary. It helps to have a partner who chips in, too.
My dad was a cop and between him and my mom working, I grew up never wanting for anything (except the occassional toy, but that's meaningless anyway).
It can be done.
2006-09-03 13:45:35 · answer #6 · answered by dpfw16 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can have what you want, i would talk to your bank about getting a cd account... check on a few banks and their rates and start saving to buy a few cds, this can take a few years but my best friends dad lives off the interest paid to him quite nicely... every 6 months he has 2 of his cds mature and he gets almost 10k for them... if you can live without that money just invest it again and make even more in 12 or 24 months...
2006-09-03 13:47:25 · answer #7 · answered by penguin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you could pay me enough to have to wear a bullet proof vest to work.
2006-09-03 13:41:09 · answer #8 · answered by c.arsenault 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can absolutely have all of what you said with a career in law enforcement. You can do it!! hehehe. no seriously u can
2006-09-03 13:40:39 · answer #9 · answered by nomakeup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
being a cop sux i can bet u on that!!
2006-09-03 13:40:32 · answer #10 · answered by D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋