What tips would you give to me to be a good cop when I become one?

Question

going to start training soon to become a police officer. I just want some examples of what people consider a good or bad cop and why.

Answer 1

Just be honest and use common sense....
Common sence is 85% of what it take to be a good officer...
It's a great career and one you can be very proud...Just do your best and you will be the best.....Good Luck

Answer 2

First off - congrats on making your decision to follow your dream and become a cop!

Of course, most of consider good cops, the ones that give us warnings when we get pulled over, instead of tickets : ).

I would also appreciate being tipped off if/when you guys start investigating me for illegal activities.

When I was younger and dumber and having fun with the cops, I secretly wished that just one would take me aside and offer to be there for me. I wanted him to show me that someone (an authority figure) really did believe in me. I never had a role model, a mentor, someone to discipline me. Even one of the times I was getting in trouble, if one had just taken me aside and said I could get out of the trouble (for something minor, ya know) if I joined him for a 2 hour volunteer event - be it volunteering at the old folks home or cleaning up the streets - just spend time with me and teach me what life is about. Okay, I don't know if I made any sense - Again, I'm really proud of you and happy that you are pursuing your dreams.

Answer 3

Keep in mind that alot of people have negative opinions of police officers. Don't let that discourage you or influence you. Be able to take insult without retalliation. Be polite and helpful and understanding, but don't roll over either. You don't have to write every ticket, if they deserve it yes, but be reasonable.If a guy is driving in the pouring rain with a head light out don't give him a ticket, the stupid thing could have just blown out. Just use your best judgement and be honest. These are people you are protecting (albeit from themselves sometimes). Do this job to help people and don't be surprised how little appreciation you get for it. Watch officers that you look up to and try to learn as much as possible. Practice shooting, hope you never take that thing out of your holster but don't assume you won't. good luck

Answer 4

There are a lot of things that you can do to become a good cop:

1. know your paperwork
2. know your patrol area (if its a new area, get a map)
3. don't walk your beat the same way, be unpredictable
4. if you can watch other senior officers, pull bits & pieces from them to create your own style
5. with summonses/tickets - either lecture or write, don't do both
6. treat everyone with respect, even if they're younger than you (Mr., Mrs., Miss)
7. know the law and how to spot certain violations
8. keep your guard up & stay neat (bad guys love to take advantage of cops whom they perceive are not paying attention or are sloppy in their appearance).
9. don't take the job home with you (leave it in your locker with your uniform @ the end of shift)
10. don't do anything in the street that you would be ashamed to tell your children you did or that you couldn't look at yourself in the mirror.
11. be proficient in courtroom testimony, don't be afraid to say "I don't know", be honest and candid w/judges (it'll serve you well later).
12. don't abuse your authority or power
13. be hard but fair
14. if assigned to an area where they speak a different language, try to learn the basic phrases (thank you, hello, good morning, etc - you'd be surprised by people's reactions)

Answer 5

Always act with integrity. Remember, the badge you wear represents not only you but the entire Police Force. Treat people with respect. Show compassion and kindness. You are a public servant, your boss is not only your supervisors but the public. Your salary is paid by tax dollars, your job is to not only enforce the letter of the law but also the spirit of the law.

When you take a bribe, you dishonor the badge and your colleagues that also wear that badge; you also send the message to the public that the law is for sale to the highest bidder. That badge should be worn with pride always.

Answer 6

Be fair with people no matter what they look like. Try not to be sarcastic to people and act like you are teaching them a moral lesson. Not that you would but I just finished spending an hour on the side of the road at a license ck. I didn't get a ticket but the officer spoke to me a 32 yr old homeowning, taxpayer like I was a 9 yr old. I say "thank you sir, have a good night" he says "alright, you try to stay out of trouble". What is that all about?

Good luck and be safe when you start patrolling!

Answer 7

My daughter went to varsity to get her degree in police technology, so i think of i will provide you some guidance to think of roughly. at first, stay a clean existence. on a similar time as many people will roll their eyes over that remark, it rather is needed to have a clean checklist, in each and every experience of the be conscious. which could carry you lower back massive time. Even rushing tickets can keep you from getting a job in regulation enforcement. confirm which you will abide via a similar regulation which you assume all and sundry else to stay via. you will possibly be able to desire to have a desire to serve and take care of, or you does no longer have chosen this actual container. maximum cases, it rather is a thankless interest, so bypass into it with the expertise which you will get little or no admire from those you bump into. constantly be responsive to what's occurring around you, and by no ability enable your look after down. do no longer do something stupid...keep on with the guidance which you have have been given been given. have you ever went to the police academy yet? i do no longer understand what your state demands, yet in my state, you will possibly be able to desire to graduate from the police academy in the previous you will get a job as a cop. when you have went interior the direction of the academy, you have a clean appreciation for what the law enforcement officers bypass by. a large style of something is a learn-as-you-bypass kinda factor. And for heaven's sake, are not getting too massive on your shorts. In different words, do no longer enable the badge bypass on your head and act like no longer something can touch you. How quickly the powerful can fall. Serve with humility, and be happy with the uniform you place on. <*)))><

Answer 8

keep your mouth shut for at least a year, listen to all information given to you, if you hear the same thing ten times, listen ten times, no one cares what you know. if you have a question, ask, there is no such thing as a dumb question.
remember you all arrive together, you all leave your shift together, you wont get along with everyone, just remember you are all on the same side and when the going gets tough the tough get going. there are no such thing as living heros, don't try to be a hero. do whats asked of you and let common sense be your guide, wrong is wrong and never ever have gray areas, it BLACK or its WHITE.
Good Luck in all of your duties and stay safe.

Answer 9

I know a few cops that think because they are a cop they are better than other people so my advice is treat someone with the same respect they give you no better and no worse.

Answer 10

Be yourself, never change for anyone, be open minded, never harass or judge anyone and don't be judgemental when it comes to situations because sometimes the dirty will play the innocent.

Be the first cop to admit to eating 1,000 donuts in a year jokes. Good luck!

Answer 11

We were raised to feel a cop would be a friend if we needed help-----but some policemen have given the profession a black-eye by being calloused and insensitive to the common man. I think a good cop would be one that is approachable -----reasonable---and helpful instead of being ornery and mean.