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

I think anyone who wants to be an Officer really needs to search deep down in themselves and ask why you want to join the job. Simply saying "to help people" is not going to cut it and you won't even get passed the first paper sift. The job is a challenge because you never know exactely what you are going to be doing from day to the next, people criticise what you do do and what you don't do all the time, (there is no in-between), and while the job can be rewarding it can also be extremely frustrating. What do you say to the woman whose boyfriend has just bashed her face in for the umpteenth time and still refuses to make a statement or even contemplate leaving him? What do you say to the victim of a repeat offender after the Magistrates give him yet another Community Order and effectively let him go with a slap on the wrist? Also, ask how will you and your future spouse cope with working a shift pattern which includes turning your days into nights and your nights into days and having to work bank holidays, Christmas, Birthdays and other family celebrations? Think too of the endless stream of paperwork. Trying to pursue a petty complaint where it is a typical case of he said she said knowing that there is little evidence to support either claim and yet you know either the CPS will bin it as soon as they receive the file or else insist on pushing it when you know the offender(s), victim(s) and witness(es) will forget all about it in time and therefore not go to Court. And finally, remember that there is absolutely no respect for the job you do (see negative answers above). If you can do a job like that then go for it and good luck to you. I suggest trying to set up a ride along with some Officers at your local nick. Ask about it at the Front Counter at your local Police Station, this will give you a valuable insight into the job. Also, think about volunteering at your local Police Station during your Summer Holidays this year. They can always use some extra help around the nick either doing admin, cleaning, etc. and this will look good on your application and possibly give you some further connections and insights with your local Force. Good luck!

Answer 2

it is the best and worst job in the world if you want a job where every day is different you dont want to be in an office working 9-5 you believe that as a force we are making a difference and you have got motiviation then do it. if you dont want to be sent from stupid call to call to call never get a chance to catch you breath always dictated by a radio and having to be totallly p.c. in this over p.c. world then carry on, but in its defence if we have more officers on the streets we would get a chance to breath between calls be pro active instead of reactive and eat!but then thats uniform, there are so many different departments you couldgo into after two years its wide open for you think you can only judge it when you in it so give it a go you can always do something else if it is not for you. 5 years in and the amount of changes to the way we are meant to be policing is wild, some good some bad but we all have to be like jelly, be felixable and mold to things as we are told!! jelly !

Answer 3

1. Everyday you will meet someone who thinks they know how to do your job better.
2. If out of your 12hour day you get the chance to go and buy some lunch, the general public will look at you in disgust, like your slacking, when in fact your trying to take ten minutes to get some energy.
3. The majority of people you will deal with have no respect and expect you to bring up their kids.
4. Those who moan about the Police the most are also those who call the Police the most with pathetic jobs that waste their time.
5. Dealing with so called 'adults' who cant resolve problems maturally so instead get drunk and assault each other.
6. Being verbally abused by some lowlife who an hour later will be crying out for your help because 'someones kicking my head in for no reason'.

Answer 4

While I am not a police officer, my dad was (just retired end of last year) and my boyfriend is. My dad loved his job, but grew tired of all the departmental politics. My boyfriend definitely loves his job (he's also on the SRT). I guess it has it's highs and lows just like any other job, but it's something you got to love doing - I think one of my boyfriend's dislikes about the job is it is somewhat of an old boys' network - it's who you know that will get you the promotion. The guys around here have had a rough couple of weeks after one of their own was shot and killed by a 15 year old kid.

And gotta mention - one thing that gets real old for my boyfriend (and me as well) is that every time we are out socializing, it's inevitbale someone will come up to him with 'hey, you're a cop, what do you think...'

Answer 5

Your going to get a host of answers that depend on the area in which the P.O. works. My 12 years should justify at least one angle.

L.E. is political...BIG TIME. Its who you know, not abilities that promote. While "tucking in" Grandma Kettle can be rewarding, the reality is that your 10-12 hr shift will be call to call, wolfing down a lunch, and working on little sleep due to court, training, etc. While the money can be a good motivator in the 20 something crowd, you later learn that back problems and knee problems, heart issues and other related ailments will surface. Your department will then reject you and there you lay...injured and broke. Laws and Insurance tend to trickle in but only after you've lost the farm. If I had to do it all over again, I would dive into a different trade that allows you to have a life outside the department. Your wife and kids will thank you for it. I hope I didn't seem overly pessimistic. I have been working in Ca. to long.

Answer 6

Hiya i am doin my GCSE's and i absoutly want to be a police officer i cannot wait untill i am 18. It is the best job ever hence the picture i have. My mum is a polcie officer and it is the best job in the world well except being bill gates! Do ya wanna chat.. why do you want to be in the police then?

Answer 7

it depends what kind of police officer you want to be a proper one or a little Hitlers a proper police officer maybe CID or another non uniformed branch solving proper crimes or looking for real criminals not stopping someone for 35 in a 30 or no seat belt the worst kind the ones with the radar i don't know how they can sleep that for me this is not a proper job but there are actually a lot of good coppers about for me plain clothes police that's the proper force not uniform that's just my opinion. i joined the military police if you cant get in then either the RAF the fire brigade a worth wile force speak to your parents as well good luck

Answer 8

It used to be a good job .I have retired recently after 30years.I would recommend it to no one in the UK.The modern police is ruled by Mrs Thatchers officer elite or managers as they now call themselves.Most have no experience and rise through the ranks by accelerated promotion then sit in their ivory towers issuing stupid directives the EU would be proud of.They are losing it but dont believe me read the papers.

Answer 9

It takes a person that has no feelings or compassion for anyone but their own. Respect, i think not, fear is the best word i can think of. Power monger's, yes. So I don't care if they throw out this answer. People ask or they wouldn't want to know. I lost my husband because, there was no compassion just thinking about the money they can get.

Answer 10

Well, you can be above the law, crack skulls open legally, bully innocent people and to top it all, if anyone even so much as looks at you in an unfriendly way you can get them photographed, finger printed, DNA'd then thrown in to prison for assaulting you. After all its your words against his and we know how moral the police are don't we ;-) Of course, you have to of been very much bullied at school and be both a sociopath and psychopath to really enjoy all these 'perks' of the job!! But don't worry, most police are.