Cheating death and fighting communism: that is how a fellow officer once described our job. It was meant to be funny, but as time went on it seemed all too true.
I spent more than ten years in law enforcement, all of it on the street in uniform patrol. I've been a patrol officer, instructor, sergeant and lieutenant.
Do not report crimes here. Nothing here should be considered legal advice. All opinions are my own.
I'd say about 1/4 to 1/3 of the officers I have worked with are former military. Of those about 90% were enlisted/NCOs.
You should call the recruiter at the agency you wish to work for and ask them.
Yes. It is called theft.
Contact an attorney. Oh, and never use the "my leg had a cramp" line again.
Police Officer
iPhone & iPad Technician
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The desire to help people - to make a difference. All of those things I mentioned above suck the life out of you. But with good friends, family and faith in God supporting you, the job can be done.
There were many times that I was going to a call that I would have preferred avoid, but I knew I had the skills and disposition to handle it. Who wants to go to the call where a man just committed suicide in front of his wife by sticking a gun in his mouth and pulling the trigger? No one. But, as I often questioned myself, "if not me, then who?"
There are upsides to the job, though they are rarely visible to, or understood by, anyone outside of law enforcement.
Requirements vary from state to state and department to department. Generally, you would need a GED or high school diploma, good driving record, and a clean criminal history. Most departments will also require a physical fitness test, a polygraph, drug testing, a stable employment history, excellent references, a psychological evaluation, some form of IQ or mental abilities test, and a credit check. Many departments also require an applicant to have two years of college (or more) or military service with an honorable discharge. The minimum age for employment varies, but is normally 18 or 21 years old.
Call your local police department and ask for their assistance. They will know what to do.
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