Should i become a cop ?

Question

I love cops,
i think i like their job, i love cop cars, i love the sounds of their cars i love their uniforms i even love the way cops stand somewhere, i basicaly love everything involving cops,
But is it a nice job, plz someone tell me something about my idea, am i in the right path, should i become a cop, do you think the way i see it is clear and it is what i really want to do, i can see myself becoming a cop, but how is the job, ? do you have a high quality living or very poor living quality, do you make enough money to buy yourself a nice car like a 3series or just enough to buy like an 5 year old used honda ?, can i have a nice living. how are cops ?

Answer 1

Cops do make a nice living. It is a good career. However, it is not bout the uniform or the cars. Cops live a hard life. They work all holidays. You will spend most of your time with the dregs of western society. You will always deal with people on the worst days of theirs lives. Either they have been a victim of a crime in which their life has been torn apart or with a suspect in which you will be taking away their freedom by taking them to jail. A lot of marriages crumble under the stress of the job. So forget Hollywood and do some ride alongs and talk to real cops to get a feel for the job.

Answer 2

Due to the nature of the job, law enforcement officers have some of the highest rates of suicide, divorce, and mental health issues of any profession. You can expect shift work usually 12 hours 3-4 days on and same off rotating between nights and days. A lot of law enforcement can be boring from plenty of paper work to slow nights to directing traffic. There is also a fair share of chases and fights. The public does not experience or even hear about 90% or more of what cops do on a daily basis. It may surprise you to accually see what really goes on in and around your community. You have plenty of freedom at work as compared to other jobs since you would be patrolling an area of your jurisdiction and not confined to an office. You wont become rich, but you shouldnt be struggling to pay bills. Before,I never associated with cops. I had none in my family. I didnt even know of any through friends of friends. I didnt know what I wanted to do during college so I made a decision at the last minute to attend Basic Law Enforcment Training. Shortly after getting a job I realized it had gotten in my blood, and now I couldnt possibly imagine doing anything else. You can also expect good benefits and retirement, and better freinds than you could make anywhere else.

Answer 3

Reading the other posts, think about doing a ride along. That will give you a good idea.

On the flip side, the hours suck, if you want to have a family, remember it includes working weekends, holidays, and sometimes extended shifts. I've missed alot of my kids school and sports events and can kick myself for making this career choice. Unfortunately, I was in it many years before I had them, got promoted, and do make a good income. Being a cop doesnt open alot of monday-friday bankers hours jobs for those looking to get out.

Give it serious thought. If I had it to do over again, would I? No.

Answer 4

If you like, you can do anything you dare to dream. Keep in mind that its not all glory, there will be parts of the job that will change you, and its up to you how those changes will effect you. As for the kind of lifestyle you will have depends on your dedication as well as how well you educate yourself. A beat cop makes a living, but a detective makes a much better living.

Explore websites and see where you want to be in law enforcement, and then decide how far your willing to take it. And keep in mind, the Armed Forces will give you a edge in law enforcement. If you talk to a Recruiter, he could give you even more information than I ever could.

Edit: As far as friends go, make no mistake... people will like you for who you are weather you are in law enforcement or not. Good luck, Red

Answer 5

in simple terms looks like a calming activity! Who would not opt to get payed for driving speedy, and ******* with human beings all day and after 25 years get an entire retirement? I smoke weed and do unlawful issues each and all the time and growing to be a cop nevertheless sounds relaxing.

Answer 6

You will make a fine cop.

Cops where I live make over $200K a year with overtime.

They have nice houses and nice cars.

But they still have to walk around all day wearing uniforms made by buddhist and muslim slaves in the Far East. As soon as those slaves save enough of their American dollars, they will be on a boat to the USA, and when they get to your town you can arrest them for terrorism.

Answer 7

i think to be a good officer, you should have an above average intelligence, above average set of morals and goals FOR YOURSELF. know before hand that you can not be bought. i think officers that dont make it are those who have inferior feelings of self. if you know yourself, then you wont fall to the temptations so many do. you wont have temper issues that will get you in trouble. being an officer is a lot more than unifor, cars and paycheck. you represent something...the law, and right now it is suffering badly because so many cops have become corrupted. being and officer is like getting married, it is a committment...you will either love it or hate it. you must have the aptitude, attitude and personality to be a good officer. you cant be gullible, you must be able to know when to believe someones story, and know when you are being lied to. you will be hated by many, spit upon, unappreciated, and very seldom thanked. it isnt a decision to make on the spur of the moment. you see...there are many officers in my family...i thought sure that is what i wanted to be too, i looked up to them and all things law...but then i grew up, and i realized i just wasnt cut out for it. i did become a security guard, and i loved that...but that is a big difference from actual law enforcement. i am honest with myself when i say i would not make a good officer. i think you should tak some rides if they are still allowed, see if there is an officer that would be willing to tell you some personal stories...but think hard about it first...and good luck on whatever you decide.

Answer 8

It has ups and downs.
Ups-
Your doing something productive. You get paid to drive around and look for anyone doing anything wrong. You can almost guarantee getting a job anywhere in the U.S. It can be a very fun job if you make it that way.
Downs-
Most people don't like cops. Friends to your face but as soon as you turn around that ends. You are always around people doing the "wrong" thing and can lead you to think all people are that way. You won't be rich but you'll make a living. Location will depend on how much your getting paid.
Also concider if your want Highway Patrol, steet cop, detective, or what you want it to lead into (FBI etc. etc.).
Depends on your personality and what you want out of life.

Answer 9

My daughter is a cop, I think it is an interesting job but not a very pleasant one. A lot of the people you have do deal with are drunk, on drugs or insane, a lot will be very abusive. It is nothing like you see on the tv with exciting car chases etc..

Answer 10

Why don't you see if you can go on a ride along with your local police and talk to the officer about the less glamorous aspects of the job. It's pretty easy to see the cool, visible stuff about a job, but every job has a lot of crap to deal with and cops have to deal with people which is not always easy.