I'm Thinking About Becoming a Cop [W49]

[Goshin]

I'm not talking about blunt, dark humor. I'm talking about misogyny and I've made that clear. Blunt, dark humor and misogyny are not the same things so why you would put them together doesn't even make sense.

And since we're handing out advice, I suggest you never hang out with a bunch of drunk gay people or a bunch of gun control advocates or a bunch of atheists since your sensibilities on those topics seem FAR FAR too delicate to cope with the things you would hear at such gatherings. I'm sure you'll appreciate that advice and the spirit of it just as much as I appreciate yours.

Why thank you, I'll take that under advisement.


Not that any of those were really on my "bucket list" to start with.... :lamo

 

[ThePlayDrive]

Why thank you, I'll take that under advisement.

Not that any of those were really on my "bucket list" to start with.... :lamo

Hanging out with a bunch of cops at a BBQ isn't on my "bucket list" either, but that didn't stop you!

 

[GottaGo]

Of course. That's why I was considering it. Law enforcement is a "respectable" job, just like the military.

It's just not my ideal choice of career.

So Chippendale's wasn't hiring?

 

[Fiddytree]

As I would be the last person in the world able to give advice but am entirely empathetic, I just want to say good luck.

I read every post in the thread, and though Goshin makes it clear enough that you shouldn't romanticize the job, I still respect tough lines of work.

Why thank you, I'll take that under advisement.


Not that any of those were really on my "bucket list" to start with.... :lamo

I find atheists to be ******s. Once you say, "God doesn't exist, but maybe it is good to push religion onto the masses to keep them in line" they get all offended, and think I am evil. Sigh.

 

[AlabamaPaul]

As I have sat here for the last few weeks, watching one automated rejection letter after another come piling into my email inbox from various firms I have applied to, I have become increasingly aware of the fact that the North Charleston Police Department is currently hiring.

Pros:

-It pays better than minimum wage.
-With five years of military experience and a bachelor's degree, I am more than qualified for the position.
-The police academy would be a cake walk compared with basic training.
-It might segue into better paying jobs somewhere down the line.

Cons:

-At a mere 35-40k a year, the pay kind of blows by any objective standard. I could easily make twice that in a better economy with my qualifications.
-It's not really a field that I'm interested in. I would basically be "settling" for less out of sheer financial need.
-North Charleston, South Carolina has been consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in America for several consecutive years.

With the job market here in SC basically being non-existent and grad school looking like less and less of a realistic posibility due to the Army's reigning in of educational benefits, joining a local PD actually does seem like an attractive option for right now. I'm just worried that I might come to regret the decision 3-5 years down the road.

What say you interweb people? :shrug:

Why do you think you might come to regret the decision?

 

[Gathomas88]

So Chippendale's wasn't hiring?

Watch out ladies. :lol:

 

[Goshin]

Why do you think you might come to regret the decision?

Um, that reminds me of another warning I forgot to throw in.

If you survive your first year or two, it starts getting addictive.

It's a lot like crack or meth. You know it is killing you a little bit at a time, but you just can't let go. You start thinking of yourself as a cop, it becomes your identity... it defines you, it determines your circle of friends, the "us vs them" mentality reinforces all that... and even when you're absolutely hating it and wanting to quit you'll find it hard to let go and be "just a civilian again". The idea of "just doing a regular job" seems boring, even as the job you're doing leaves you feeling disgusted and dirty and exhausted and dead inside more often than it leaves you feeling like you accomplished something important.

Just thought I'd throw that in.

 

[Goshin]

In case you haven't figured it out, I'm trying my best to discourage you from doing it.


If you aren't recoiling in horror by now, you may very well have what it takes to be part of the Thin Blue Line. If so, welcome to the Legion of the Damned, and good luck. Watch your six.

 

[AlabamaPaul]

Um, that reminds me of another warning I forgot to throw in.

If you survive your first year or two, it starts getting addictive.

It's a lot like crack or meth. You know it is killing you a little bit at a time, but you just can't let go. You start thinking of yourself as a cop, it becomes your identity... it defines you, it determines your circle of friends, the "us vs them" mentality reinforces all that... and even when you're absolutely hating it and wanting to quit you'll find it hard to let go and be "just a civilian again". The idea of "just doing a regular job" seems boring, even as the job you're doing leaves you feeling disgusted and dirty and exhausted and dead inside more often than it leaves you feeling like you accomplished something important.

Just thought I'd throw that in.

My stepson is a cop here in town. Fortunately, he has not let the job get into his head...

 

[Goshin]

My stepson is a cop here in town. Fortunately, he has not let the job get into his head...

It can be done... but it isn't easy.

 

[Gathomas88]

In case you haven't figured it out, I'm trying my best to discourage you from doing it.

If you aren't recoiling in horror by now, you may very well have what it takes to be part of the Thin Blue Line. If so, welcome to the Legion of the Damned, and good luck. Watch your six.

I'll still defintely go talk to the recruiter and see what they have to offer, but I wouldn't say that you've made me any more likely to take the job. :lol:

I think I probably could be a police officer. I just don't think I'd like it very much. That certainly doesn't seem to be a very solid argument for making a career out of it, particularly with all the downsides you've pointed out.

Out of curiosity, are police officers generally required to sign any kind of contract?

 

[AlabamaPaul]

I'll still defintely go talk to the recruiter and see what they have to offer, but I wouldn't say that you've made me any more likely to take the job. :lol:

I think I probably could be a police officer. I just don't think I'd like it very much. That certainly doesn't seem to be a very solid argument for making a career out of it, particularly with all the downsides you've pointed out.

Out of curiosity, are police officers generally required to sign any kind of contract?

No...

 

[Goshin]

I'll still defintely go talk to the recruiter and see what they have to offer, but I wouldn't say that you've made me any more likely to take the job. :lol:

I think I probably could be a police officer. I just don't think I'd like it very much. That certainly doesn't seem to be a very solid argument for making a career out of it, particularly with all the downsides you've pointed out.

Out of curiosity, are police officers generally required to sign any kind of contract?

As in, "I will work for you for five years" and noncompete stuff?

Not that I know of, but I've been out for almost 15 years.

 

[Bonzai]

I'll still defintely go talk to the recruiter and see what they have to offer, but I wouldn't say that you've made me any more likely to take the job. :lol:

I think I probably could be a police officer. I just don't think I'd like it very much. That certainly doesn't seem to be a very solid argument for making a career out of it, particularly with all the downsides you've pointed out.

Out of curiosity, are police officers generally required to sign any kind of contract?

Oh , Christ, go for the big time if you're going to be cop-----------State Trooper...................

 

[Goshin]

I'll still defintely go talk to the recruiter and see what they have to offer, but I wouldn't say that you've made me any more likely to take the job. :lol:

I think I probably could be a police officer. I just don't think I'd like it very much. That certainly doesn't seem to be a very solid argument for making a career out of it, particularly with all the downsides you've pointed out.

....

I was planning to make a career of it, until I ended up divorced with a 2yr old to take care of... even though I had a kind of love/hate relationship with the job. It isn't fun, and most of the time it isn't something you enjoy... but it has its moments when it can be profoundly satisfying and meaningful, even if those moments are all too often few and far between.

I'm reminded of Louis L'amour's definition of "adventure": "Adventure is some OTHER guy in a far away land, having himself one HELL of a hard time!"

 

[specklebang]

I've decided to become a career criminal and offer you some challenge. So go ahead, sign up and be very, very careful....

 

[Gathomas88]

I was planning to make a career of it, until I ended up divorced with a 2yr old to take care of... even though I had a kind of love/hate relationship with the job. It isn't fun, and most of the time it isn't something you enjoy... but it has its moments when it can be profoundly satisfying and meaningful, even if those moments are all too often few and far between.

I'm reminded of Louis L'amour's definition of "adventure": "Adventure is some OTHER guy in a far away land, having himself one HELL of a hard time!"

"Adventure" is exactly what you get in the armed forces, going by that definition.

Being a police officer sounds like it'd be similar, only without the excitement of the prospect of seeing "foreign lands."

(and bombing the absolute bejesus out of them)

I've decided to become a career criminal and offer you some challenge. So go ahead, sign up and be very, very careful....

 

[Goshin]

"Adventure" is exactly what you get in the armed forces, going by that definition.

Being a police officer sounds like it'd be similar, only without the excitement of the prospect of seeing "foreign lands."

(and bombing the absolute bejesus out of them)



View attachment 67144931

Yeah, no exotic lands to go to and kill people. In fact, there will be lots of people you'll WANT to kill and can't...

Some other diffs that suck...

... you can't clear a room by tossing in a grenade first, you just have to slip in and hope nobody shoots you. :mrgreen:

... you can't carry your M4 around, except on special occasions. Upsets the citizenry.

... you'll be operating alone sometimes, or with just one other ofc, and may feel like your ass is swinging in the breeze if the **** goes down. When seconds count, backup is only minutes away. :mrgreen:

 

[Rocketman]

As I have sat here for the last few weeks, watching one automated rejection letter after another come piling into my email inbox from various firms I have applied to, I have become increasingly aware of the fact that the North Charleston Police Department is currently hiring.

Pros:

-It pays better than minimum wage.
-With five years of military experience and a bachelor's degree, I am more than qualified for the position.
-The police academy would be a cake walk compared with basic training.
-It might segue into better paying jobs somewhere down the line.

Cons:

-At a mere 35-40k a year, the pay kind of blows by any objective standard. I could easily make twice that in a better economy with my qualifications.
-It's not really a field that I'm interested in. I would basically be "settling" for less out of sheer financial need.
-North Charleston, South Carolina has been consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in America for several consecutive years.

With the job market here in SC basically being non-existent and grad school looking like less and less of a realistic posibility due to the Army's reigning in of educational benefits, joining a local PD actually does seem like an attractive option for right now. I'm just worried that I might come to regret the decision 3-5 years down the road.

What say you interweb people? :shrug:

Many policemen around here mow yards, paint, and do home repair to supplement the lower pay. Their retirement is second to none.

 

[Sarcogito]

Police work isn't the kind of work you should go into just because you can't find anything better.

 

[cpwill]

I hadn't heard of these sites before. Thanks for the tip.

Have you deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan? Ever worked the IED problem set? If so (and if you are willing to do so again), and if your EAS/EAC is soon, pm me. I may have a good POC for you.

 

[lizzie]

Pros:

-It pays better than minimum wage.
-With five years of military experience and a bachelor's degree, I am more than qualified for the position.
-The police academy would be a cake walk compared with basic training.
-It might segue into better paying jobs somewhere down the line.

Cons:

-At a mere 35-40k a year, the pay kind of blows by any objective standard. I could easily make twice that in a better economy with my qualifications.
-It's not really a field that I'm interested in. I would basically be "settling" for less out of sheer financial need.
-North Charleston, South Carolina has been consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in America for several consecutive years.

With the job market here in SC basically being non-existent and grad school looking like less and less of a realistic posibility due to the Army's reigning in of educational benefits, joining a local PD actually does seem like an attractive option for right now. I'm just worried that I might come to regret the decision 3-5 years down the road.

What say you interweb people? :shrug:

Warning: Being a cop is an extremely stressful job- worse than being a nurse. You spend much time dealing with the ass-end of humanity, and it can make your attitude pretty bad in general. Cops have a very high divorce rate, and they deal with much of the criminal element, which in some cases, seems to rub off in little bits and pieces.

I know a few cops. For the most part, I like them, but I wouldn't want to be married any of them, with one exception. It's a really challenging and demanding field to be in.

 

[Cardinal]

As I have sat here for the last few weeks, watching one automated rejection letter after another come piling into my email inbox from various firms I have applied to, I have become increasingly aware of the fact that the North Charleston Police Department is currently hiring.

Pros:

-It pays better than minimum wage.
-With five years of military experience and a bachelor's degree, I am more than qualified for the position.
-The police academy would be a cake walk compared with basic training.
-It might segue into better paying jobs somewhere down the line.

Cons:

-At a mere 35-40k a year, the pay kind of blows by any objective standard. I could easily make twice that in a better economy with my qualifications.
-It's not really a field that I'm interested in. I would basically be "settling" for less out of sheer financial need.
-North Charleston, South Carolina has been consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in America for several consecutive years.

With the job market here in SC basically being non-existent and grad school looking like less and less of a realistic posibility due to the Army's reigning in of educational benefits, joining a local PD actually does seem like an attractive option for right now. I'm just worried that I might come to regret the decision 3-5 years down the road.

What say you interweb people? :shrug:

Just be ready for your opinion of your fellow man to drop like a rock. Read what cops have to say on various forums about civilians after a few years -- their view of non-leo's is...not good.

I do like the idea of you being a cop just because it pays a salary, though. Cops who go into law enforcement because they see themselves as a thin line (a thin blue line, if you will) between civilization and chaos tend to be a bit nutty.

 

[cpwill]

If you ever get a chance to hang out with a bunch of cops who are having a BBQ at someone's house, drinking and getting loosened up from their stressful week.... I suggest you decline the invitation. It sounds like your sensibilities are FAR FAR too delicate to cope with the things you would hear at such a gathering.

Nope, I'm not saying most cops are misogynists... I'm saying that when they get a chance to talk among themselves off the record, it tends to be VERY blunt and non-PC, and a lot of the humor is dark and grim in ways that people who don't do the job will not understand.

I had a similar experience when I tried to talk to my civilian buddies after my first deployment. I had a moment of startling realization when it came to me that, to most civilians, rape jokes aren't funny Generally, what you describe (psychologically) sounds very similar to what I see in my community. ...People act morally outraged about Marines pissing on dead Taliban and... it's just a complete cultural disconnect between two communities who don't share a worldview anymore. Most Marines I knew were more likely to be upset about the fact that nobody in that picture thought to do a Captain Morgan pose, or something with similar panache (heck, any soldier can pee on a body :mrgreen:.) Throwing a puppy off a cliff is sick and f-d up and, to most combat Marines that I knew, because of that, hilarious.

People respond to horror with humor as a defense mechanism. Col David Grossman in his book On Killing has an excellent discussion on this.

 

[cpwill]

Warning: Being a cop is an extremely stressful job- worse than being a nurse. You spend much time dealing with the ass-end of humanity, and it can make your attitude pretty bad in general. Cops have a very high divorce rate, and they deal with much of the criminal element, which in some cases, seems to rub off in little bits and pieces.

I know a few cops. For the most part, I like them, but I wouldn't want to be married any of them, with one exception. It's a really challenging and demanding field to be in.

Well, yeah, but I mean, who wouldn't want to marry Goshin? I mean, me-ow, amiright? :mrgreen: