What does it feel like to be a Police Officer?

Question

Right now, i am doing my GCSEs and I am considering becoming a Police Officer. just want to know if people think its a good job or not, and what people that are actially are police officers, think about their job.
thanx everybody!

Answer 1

It is a thankless job. You have to really want to do it because the pay isn't that great for the amount of responsibility you have. You almost always see people at their worst. It is tough to separate the job from your personal life. You are expected to be a cop 24/7. Good luck.

Answer 2

Touched a raw nerve with some out there!

There are specialist forums which are very useful if you are thinking about being a police officer, special coinstable or a PCSO. Sites like police999.com and policeuk.com are good. Also policeoracle.com is informative.

Don't be put off, it is a good job with a load of diversity and opportunity. Not everyone hates you, this is nonsense, criminals don't like you and those who commit illegal acts, if you want people like that to love you, become a social worker!

But seriously, it can be demanding and unsocial, the pay is average but improves in time served. For a new recruit the pay is equal a normal job and you move up the scale quicker now than before. If you want to do a degree, a number of forces now support a degree program as part of the course, so you can get a degree on the cheap at the same time. Can't be bad.

Good luck

Answer 3

I would strongly advise you to speak to REAL Police Officers in the UK. Answers here seem to be tainted with negativity due to people's 'brushes' with the law (sorry folks, but we do have a job to do - if you have an alternative then do let me know) and what people see on TV or read in the press.

It's a varied and interesting job. You will deal with traffic accidents, assaults, missing children, fraud etc... the list is pretty endless. So the pay isn't great, but it's above the national average and it's a fun job at times, which is more than many can say. If you fancy specialising or promotion - the opportnuties are there to earn big money or do something that really interests you.

Don't be put off. visit www.policecouldyou.co.uk and make your own mind up.

Answer 4

There wont be many left soon in Britain - traffic is going to the Highways Agency, Uniformed patrol is being done away wuith by bringing in PCSOs and gradually increasing their powers, CID is getting civilian investigators.....soon all that will be left is support groups for public order, & firearms - i.e butt kickers - like the CRS in France ~ get in while you can! ( its an okay job in all seriousness, if only there werent politicians, senior officers, or the public to cope with) - oh, and note if you will how much people like police, until they / their mum/brother/mate etc falls foul of the law. Then, because obviously the law should only apply to everyone else, they consider the all officers to be corrupt psycopathic drunkards - you'll have to put up with sad people like that 'til you retire, (though they normally populate your Saturday nights, or stupid answers on this forum) - the public want the police, but dont want anything to do with them. they want action when they say so, but not if they will be on the receiving end. They want you to deal with Mr Samurai sword out in the street, but would prefer it if you coped by disarming him with nothing more offensive that a 21 inch stick. (Ask for more & you'll be shouted down (see all the hoo hah about general issue of Tasers at the moment)). Join the Police, the cameradreie is great...just be prepared to have to manage the lives of people who cant do it for themselves

Answer 5

I thought the same thing at your age, at 21 I applied, but soon changed my mind!

At your age, you hopefully shouldn't have had much contact with the law, but even though I have always been a 'good girl' (no, honestly), I have seen the real side of the police, its not nice. Some of them are nice and how they should be, helpful, polite, human.... others seem to get a little power and it goes straight to their heads - they know better and whatever you say, its not right. I'll tell you a little true story that'll explain.

In August, I was assaulted by my next door neighbour, who is nuts. I went outside the front to tell someone the dinner was ready, next thing I know, she's grabbed my pony tail and was whacking the pavement with my head. There were loads of witnesses too. When I got up, I asked her what the hell that was all about, she couldn't answer and went back inside. So I called the police, as you do. When they eventually came, they spoke to her first, her parents were at our gate threatening to put us in a coffin and all sorts in front of the coppers, but the copper that turned up was a friend of the neighbours, and refused to do anything. He refused to start with to even come and speak to me, saying it was a silly arguement and nothing to do with them. I had blood all over me, my nose was swollen and besides which, we hadn't argued and I called them!! He wouldn't take statements or anything from witnesses. I had to go to hospital and she was arrested by another copper, she pleaded guilty to abh and was bailed, but because the copper was trying to protect her and didn't take any statements, she got away with it. Completely. So I made a complaint to the sergant, who ignored it and refused to do anything. In the meantime, another copper we spoke to said the bend copper was always doing it and the complaints were always ignored. They protect each other when they could be in trouble, even when they've done wrong.

Thats why I think that they are a bunch of corrupt hypocrits. Plus, you don't get paid enough for the danger you are in these days, and often get sent out on your own. Every criminal has weapons these days, its not worth it for what they pay. Then there are the hours... none of your mates will trust you etc. Plus, they ask that you have life experience, which is basically their way of saying before you are at least 25, you won't get in unless you are a uni graduate. Thats not sarcasm, thats true.

Anyway, thats my honest opinion on everything, good luck whatever you decide!

Answer 6

A police officer is a good carreer if you are interested in helping people. the main thing that an officer does is be a public servant.

In most places the pay is not very good and you are overworked--but it is a good hones living!

Answer 7

A police officer job is one of those positions where you are a public servant. Your pay will likely suck, people constantly ask you for directions, your primary job is to respond to problems, accidents, fights, drugs and other dangerous situations. You have to be alert and think proactively. The stress mentally can be exhaustive. You work outside (mostly) if you are a street cop. You eat on the road, you freeze your butt off in the winter and sometimes your patrol car just can't cool you well enough in the summer. And you can only go to the restroom when you're not running a call. Being a police officer, paramedic, firefighter, and other emergency service personnel are special people. They deal with life's worst and most tragic on a daily basis.

Answer 8

There are very few folk out there doing a job to 'serve the community'!
A police officers job is no different, you do it for the money.
Just the same as a nurse, a fireman, a doctor.
So if that's what you want go for it.

Answer 9

I'm 15 years old and doing my G.C.S.E. too. Police officers get paid quite a lot, but they put up with a lot of **** from drunken teenagers like us! I'd say it is a hard job to do though, plus u will have to go through training for a long time so u won't be able to make money. But hey, go for it.

Answer 10

I don't know, but I know what it feels like to be a security guard at a hotel with crazy party people, and I hate that, it's a nightmare.

So being a cop, must be even worse.