cop partners?

Question

i'm interested in becoming a cop after i finish college and i wanna know a few things about being a cop.
1)do u get to choose ur cop partner or do they just give u one?
2)how do u know if ur partner is reliable or not and if he will risk his life for u?

Answer 1

As far as the first question, that would be set by department policy. Initially, you will be assigned a partner. The department may allow you post a request to switch, if all persons agreed. That is assuming you are on a very large department. Most departments do not have the manpower to assign partners. This Michigan State Police, per their contract, must have a partner after 8pm.

As far as the second question, you will find the answer to that very fast. I would like to think the vast majority are trustworthy, and you need not worry.

Answer 2

1) In my department we don't have "partners" per se as we operate one man cars. Each year we pick a team (sector, shift and days off) which has a Sgt and 6-9 officers on it. These will be your partners. Less years you have on, the less spots you get to pick from. So to a degree you have some say over who you work with.

2) It doesn't take long to figure out who is hardcore and who will back you, and who is worthless. Fortunately the latter is very much the minority.

Answer 3

1.) They assign you one. Assuming, of course, that your department uses two officers in one car. More than 90% of police departments don't have "partners", they have only one officer in every patrol car.

2.) You don't at first. You would have to get to know him as you work with him over time.

Answer 4

A lot of PDs, mine included, run solo beat officers. We roll alone.

Who needs some other guy farting in your car all night? Not me.