HELP!!!! My daughter wants to be a police officer!!!!?

Question

What should do? I want to support her, but its such a dangerous job. I'm not sure where the idea came from, we have no relatives with a job like that. She is a senior in High School and she always wanted to be a science researcher before this.

I know she has researched it and spoken to her school's resource officer. I've been trying to be supportive thus far.

Answer 1

Be supportive.

The last thing she needs is to have a family member freaking out about it.
I had to put up with that for years, and it wears on you.

Answer 2

OK it is a job and a job that she can serve with honor. You should support her with her choice. It is only dangerous if she receives poor training which is probably not going to happen. Look at your alternatives, she could be knocked up pregnant with some crack head dude and living on welfare in your guest room like a lot of kids today. Get your priorities straight, just because you wouldn't do it and none of your relatives have never done it does not mean she can't have a desire to be a police officer. Get her some support and you might be surprised and what a great job she can do. Woman can do any job they want to today, give her the opportunity to do it without any head trips from you and the rest of the family.

Answer 3

Maybe after the reality of training academy and a couple of months on the job sets in, she'll change her mind. If you know anyone (family friend, relative, co-worker's spouse, etc) that's a police officer, have them talk to her. Or, just stop a local police car and ask if there's anywhere she can go to speak to some people already in the field. Our local sheriff department has ride-along programs and some sort of junior cadet program. Something like that would give her insight into the job to see if it's for her.

Otherwise, you can't stop her from trying. Who knows, she might end up doing great things such as posing as a teenage girl online to catch child molesters, posing as a prostitute to help break up a prostitution ring or attaining a high rank such as major or captain.

Answer 4

I would do anything to keep her from that. The pay is bad, no respect, and most citizens look the other way when cops need help.

In fact, just a week ago I witnessed a car veer off the road and side swipe a police car that had another car pulled over. The officer was hit by his own squad car and thrown into some brush. I just looked the other way and went on. I dont care about him.

And people are right, I may need the cops someday and I will call them. They better show up and do their job or I will sue. It is a no lose situation.

Answer 5

You will just have to support her in her decision. If you try and go against her wishes, she will become even more determined to be one. If she's still in High School, she may change her mind on her own. Why does she want to be a Police Officer? Research different jobs and when talking to her about her future career, maybe you could point her in different areas, for example, if it's the idea of law enforcement that is attracting her, she could become a lawyer or a Judge one day. Good luck, but don't push her!

Answer 6

Good for her...

Law enforcement is a great field that requires a lot of smarts and responsibility...I'm going into the same thing and none of my relatives did, and I got all high grades in high school...A lot of smart people that you'd assume would go to college opt for a career in law enforcement or military because of all the challenges it offers, along with the rewards of making a difference in the community by protecting people that can't protect themselves...


If you're concerned about how dangerous it is, talk to her about opting for State Patrol if she has her heart set on law enforcement...There is a lot less danger because typically state patrol doesn't get all the jobs that sheriffs or local cops would get, such as dealing with domestic violence calls, inner city drug bust type situations, etc. State Patrol deals mostly with highway safety and traffic enforcement...

Answer 7

Yes, in the end it's her choice, just be supportive and tell her that your here for her !

Me, personally I want to become a police officer after high school, and yes it's a dangerous job, but I think I speak for every police officer out there when I say : We are here to serve and protect ! We are here to make a positive difference in people lives !

I'm sure she will do just fine, wish her all the best and love her for who she is !

Regards

Jordan JP (Soon to be police officer)

Answer 8

Support her, the police academy is the best, and she will meet great hero's that will always protect her. No danger, any branch of the state or federal will be protected, unless they are corrupted. Keep her clean handed and everything will be all right....Congrats, and GOOD LUCK on your daughter future. Support her and inform her that the police need CSI, and science researcher more than ever, and its a safe job in the labs and crime scenes. Watch the series CSI, its righteous how they bust criminals .

Answer 9

The first thing you want to show your daughter is your support of her decision, regardless of what it is. However, as a good parent, you can tell her that you will support her decision whatever it is, but that you just want to ensure that she is entering this fine profession with full knowledge of the consequences.

The police force needs good female personnel, just as any other career, so I would not take the sexist road, or the perception that being a police officer is a lowly job. I honor those who protect and serve our cities, especially with the growing crime rate. I think your daughter feels that she wants to serve humanity in a different manner.

However, first have a discussion with your daughter, with the intent to share her feelings and desires, not with the intent on changing her mind. Allow her to make her own decisions, but as a parent, you can share your concern, and ask her to make sure she makes an educated decision, based on facts.

It is not uncommon for people to change their careers several times in their lifetimes. I believe the average is about 8 career changes in ones life, but that is just an average number. Some people know from a very early age what they are going to do in life, and they stay with their career choice all through life. Allow your daughter the freedom to make her own choices, but allow her also to know and feel your support, regardless of what career choices she decides to make.

If she feels she has your complete support, no matter what, she will be more willing to share her thoughts and feelings, otherwise, if she fears that you will try to force your own perceptions and desires for her life upon her, she may not be so willing to share with you.

Let her know that you will love her and support her no matter what her decision is, and then honor your words by being true to her.

Answer 10

I gave a answer to a question like this a few minutes ago. 1st, she is too young but it would a good idea for her to look into a police reserve program in your community where subjects who meet the requirements are trained by veteran police officers for part time of volunteer service. Most sheriffs offices and city police departments offer this program and its a good way to get experience and see what the job is really like. I think this is the best option for both of you but always be supportive and let see what its like, also many department offer explorer or youth programs it will be an eye opener in many ways. "good luck".

Answer 11

I can answer your question by talking about my cousin. To his horror, his daughter wanted to be a police officer--from the time she was a little kid. As a teen, she joined the Vancouver Police Reserve, and did ride-alongs and that sort of thing. She applied to be a full-time constable as soon as she was old enough, but she was turned down because she did not have enough experience--in life or in the job.

She joined the Canadian Armed Forces to be a Military Police officer, did basic training in Nova Scotia, trade qualification in Ontario, then she was posted to CFB Comox on Vancouver Island for the rest of her enlistment period.

As soon as she got out, she applied to Vancouver again, and got offers from every last police department in the Vancouver area, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

She turned them all down, and became a paralegal--in a law firm where she still works.

Let's say the worst befalls in your case, and she actually does become a police officer. She will be doing so because she wants to contribute to the society in which she lives, to make people's lives better.

If it is her passion, be proud of her for following her dream.

And remember the old saying:

SHIPS ARE SAFE IN HARBOUR, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT SHIPS ARE FOR.