austin wrote:If you want training and some experience, then join the Army and go in as a Military Policeman (MP) or the Air Force as a Security Police (SP).
When you get out, assuming you don't re-enlist, ( most guys are re-upping), then you have a lot more options - contractor, LEO, State Troopers, or Federal Agencies.
But for now buckle down and get good grades.
Nguyen,
As a retired LEO (but not a police LEO), I second what Austin and a few others have suggested about the military. I hear that, these days, they really can guarantee you a MOS school after basic training.
The military also has relationships with various universities whereby one may finish the completion of a degree while on duty - no matter where that duty is.
The military would be a place for you to get used to working and working under stress (something all LEOs must know how to do).
Also, I second what Venus Pax said: if you have this on your heart - and it's not just a passing dream - then you need to take steps to start getting yourself ready for it. Being a LEO is not like it's depicted on TV or in the movies. It's not exactly like being in the military either ... but the military seems to be the best "prep school" for a LEO career that I've ever seen. Think about it.
The last train out of any station will not be filled with nice people.
Heck, public schooling doesn't even go into details on the meaning and purpose of our individual rights until college (and that's only if you take the right class with a non-bias professor).
Non-biased professor!?! I never met one when I was in college...
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because hard men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."- George Orwell
MacKnife wrote:
I'm tired of seeing officers with nothing but their GED patrolling streets with nothing but a power trip on their mind.
So how many ya seen? Did you stop them and ask them about their schooling AFTER observing some behavior that would lead you to believe they were on a "power trip"
Frankly, I am tired of non-LEOs who live in the child ego state and are offended and complain about ANY authority.
While I agree, I also think it's worse when LEO's run around in the PARENT [thanks TXI, OOPS] ego state.
My hippified parents taught me,"Question authority.. but RESPECT IT."
I think it's a fine line to walk, and everyone needs to find it.
Back to the topic at hand; Think hard as to why you want to be a LEO. I've always wanted to be one, but until I get my health problems ironed out, it'd never happen. I've always wanted to do it to help others who feel or seem powerless and who need help. I find that LEO's with this attitude are the best at their job, though get bogged down in the awfulness they must always face.
Then you have a slightly different set; the kind that enjoys the authority, and enjoy exerting it. These few bad apples ruin it for everyone else, the officers and citizens alike.
Not knowing you at all, I say this as nicely as I can: Which reason do you want to be an LEO?
Last edited by nitrogen on Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
.השואה... לעולם לא עוד
Holocaust... Never Again.
Some people create their own storms and get upset when it rains.
--anonymous
Sorry for the late replies. It's been a hard day at work.
Anyways, to answer Nitrogen question.
The reason is because I'm doing really bad in school. I was never a top honor student in HS and I barely graduated HS. College is kicking my butt right now and I'm on the edge of Academic Suspension. I'm also indecisive on what I should major in. I've been in College for almost 5 years and I should be already graduated. I'm still classified as a freshman and I feel like I'm going nowhere in my life. It's rare to find an Asian that is really bad at school, but your looking at one right here.
Military is not my cup of tea. I really don't want to leave the State and be deploy out somewhere for years not seeing my family and friends. If I wanted to join the Military, I would have done it after HS. I mention about my friend already that is active in Iraq. I've asked him about a month ago if I should join the Marines like he did. He told me it wouldn't be a very good idea because I got a family that I'm really close with and if something happen to me, it would be really, really hard on my family. He's been to a few funerals from his colleagues that died in Iraq. Watching the family break down crying just breaks his heart. He's not very close to his family. He has very few friends that he still talks to in the State, one of them is including me. He told me a month ago that he signed an extended contract that will keep him in active service until 2010. He told me personally that he suggest me to stay in the State and go for the LE instead of the Marines.
No one has mentioned money yet. It is widely held that LEOs do not make much money. I think this is primarily true. Small towns, prisons and other "starting" positions do not pay much. Someone mentioned $15 an hour for a jail guard. For a single guy that is doable. For most people, that isn't enough to live on. Especially if you want to have a family. I've heard of people quitting law enforcement when they had kids because of the pay.
Dallas starts at around $40k a year, which is not too bad. But is that an amount of money worth putting your life on the line everyday for? Some people definitely believe so and they do not do it for the money, that is for sure. Most cops end up taking other "security" positions for extra cash, and it's good money (we were paying $20 per hour back in '97), but it's also overtime beyond the forty hours a week where you are already risking your life.
I am not a LEO, but I have known many. Especially when I worked in security. I remember that they would complain about the pay and the politics all the time. The politics are probably the worst part of the job. They would tell me how they had to work 60 hour weeks to make ends meet. They worked as many hours as the lawyers in the building I was working in. Those lawyers made ten times what they did. They also pretty much looked down on them, as lawyers tend to do with everyone. They were a bunch of wusses compared with the cops, in my opinion.
With SWAT...you are on call all the time. There is no going out and drinking with the boys or anything. What if you're drunk and get a call? I know they have days off the pager, but believe me, it's probably like a couple of days a month or something.
The good paying jobs, such as Plano, Highland Park, stuff like that are incredibly difficult to get into. They'll have 9000 applicants for 100 jobs...or less. Same goes for SWAT. They only take the best of the best. It ain't an easy gig to get into. You'd almost have as much luck being a pro ball player or something. The odds are that great against it.
So considering that the money isn't very good, the hours are long and you might have a gun pointing in your face at any time. It would have to be something you want to do more than anything. I don't think you need straight A's to be on SWAT, like you do to be in the FBI, but you do need cojones bigger than most people have...
I'm not trying to discourage you. If you really want it, you might be able to make it. There's always the possibility of trying as hard as you can and not making it too. That's something you'd have to live with. Just being a regular LEO on the street is also a noble venture and something you'll have to do anyway before becoming a SWAT officer. I'd go down that road first. Who knows, it might be the best decision you've ever made.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because hard men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."- George Orwell
govnor wrote:No one has mentioned money yet. It is widely held that LEOs do not make much money. I think this is primarily true. Small towns, prisons and other "starting" positions do not pay much. Someone mentioned $15 an hour for a jail guard. For a single guy that is doable. For most people, that isn't enough to live on. Especially if you want to have a family. I've heard of people quitting law enforcement when they had kids because of the pay.
Dallas starts at around $40k a year, which is not too bad. But is that an amount of money worth putting your life on the line everyday for? Some people definitely believe so and they do not do it for the money, that is for sure. Most cops end up taking other "security" positions for extra cash, and it's good money (we were paying $20 per hour back in '97), but it's also overtime beyond the forty hours a week where you are already risking your life.
I am not a LEO, but I have known many. Especially when I worked in security. I remember that they would complain about the pay and the politics all the time. The politics are probably the worst part of the job. They would tell me how they had to work 60 hour weeks to make ends meet. They worked as many hours as the lawyers in the building I was working in. Those lawyers made ten times what they did. They also pretty much looked down on them, as lawyers tend to do with everyone. They were a bunch of wusses compared with the cops, in my opinion.
With SWAT...you are on call all the time. There is no going out and drinking with the boys or anything. What if you're drunk and get a call? I know they have days off the pager, but believe me, it's probably like a couple of days a month or something.
The good paying jobs, such as Plano, Highland Park, stuff like that are incredibly difficult to get into. They'll have 9000 applicants for 100 jobs...or less. Same goes for SWAT. They only take the best of the best. It ain't an easy gig to get into. You'd almost have as much luck being a pro ball player or something. The odds are that great against it.
So considering that the money isn't very good, the hours are long and you might have a gun pointing in your face at any time. It would have to be something you want to do more than anything. I don't think you need straight A's to be on SWAT, like you do to be in the FBI, but you do need cojones bigger than most people have...
I'm not trying to discourage you. If you really want it, you might be able to make it. There's always the possibility of trying as hard as you can and not making it too. That's something you'd have to live with. Just being a regular LEO on the street is also a noble venture and something you'll have to do anyway before becoming a SWAT officer. I'd go down that road first. Who knows, it might be the best decision you've ever made.
I think I stated on the first page that money is not an issue, even if the pay is low.
I think I stated on the first page that money is not an issue, even if the pay is low.
Maybe you did...my bad. I read the whole thread though...
If money is not an issue, consider the other things also. If you really want to be a LEO, I can't think of a more noble pursuit. I say go for it. I think you only need 45 hours of college anyway. You don't have to have a degree. Call a recruiter in your area tomorrow. You have nothing to lose. And keep us updated if you decide to go for it.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because hard men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."- George Orwell
LE and military are two different animals. I am sure a lot folks feel because they "knew" an officer then they "know" what they go through. I "know" several funeral directors who are good friends, but I could not tell you what to do if you wanted that job. It is easy for give advice for LEO, but they arrive at their conclusions just like you did from TV. They seen and have heard, but never had hands on. I go back to my original statement - follow your heart. My son has no military, has no college, but looks like he begins his career with a local PD within the next week and he will also attend college. In three years he will promote to the street. It is not rocket science.
Have you tried to figure out in a systematic way what kind of career would suit you?
There are tests that can help. Your college may be able to provide one at no cost. I've taken two, and both of them indicated that I have an aptitude for the career that I got into almost by accident before taking them (technical writer). So I think they're worthwhile.
Maybe a LEO will provide better information about this; but as far as I know, you can't go far in law enforcement without a college degree. My brother-in-law is a cop. He had to complete a degree to get promoted above patrolman. Many big-city departments require a degree even to start.
The sky is the limit for people who can sell.
Jobs like plumber, electrician, machinist, and auto mechanic do not require a degree; and they pay well and provide an income for your entire working life -- which police work does not, for most officers.
Being a chef or professional cook requires a long, hard apprenticeship, but it is rewarding to people who are good at it.
I suggest you use your imagination and find out what resources are available to you.
MacKnife wrote:
I'm tired of seeing officers with nothing but their GED patrolling streets with nothing but a power trip on their mind.
So how many ya seen? Did you stop them and ask them about their schooling AFTER observing some behavior that would lead you to believe they were on a "power trip"
Frankly, I am tired of non-LEOs who live in the child ego state and are offended and complain about ANY authority.
While I agree, I also think it's worse when LEO's run around in the child ego state.
That would be bad; however, the ego state that LEOs get into that tends to aggravate people is the "parent" state.
*CHL Instructor*
"Speed is Fine, but accuracy is final"- Bill Jordan
Remember those who died, remember those who killed them.
So how many ya seen? Did you stop them and ask them about their schooling AFTER observing some behavior that would lead you to believe they were on a "power trip"
Frankly, I am tired of non-LEOs who live in the child ego state and are offended and complain about ANY authority.
TxI:
I admit to stereotyping a little, but a cop with a GED is by no means an exaggeration (I'm sure you can agree). Also, recruiting directly out of the local high schools is fairly common. I have old classmates patrolling the streets of Houston at this instant that could care-less about anyone's rights. I've been a repeat victim of harassment by the local "power-tripping" PD, especially in my young college days.
I'm simply pointing out that the standard of education for Peace Officers is trashy. Hence the salary as well. Tis Unfortunate.
Why can't there be higher standards? Like you for instance... It sounds like you have an education.
govnor wrote:
The good paying jobs, such as Plano, Highland Park, stuff like that are incredibly difficult to get into. They'll have 9000 applicants for 100 jobs...or less. Same goes for SWAT. They only take the best of the best. It ain't an easy gig to get into. You'd almost have as much luck being a pro ball player or something. The odds are that great against it.
Not only that...For Plano at least, you have to have a bachelor's degree. More and more LE agencies seem to be requiring degrees, or at least some specified number of college credits.
seamusTX wrote:
Have you tried to figure out in a systematic way what kind of career would suit you?
There are tests that can help. Your college may be able to provide one at no cost. I've taken two, and both of them indicated that I have an aptitude for the career that I got into almost by accident before taking them (technical writer). So I think they're worthwhile.
Very good point! I've taken one of those as well, with similar results. And who knows....A test like that might say you're best suited for law enforcement.
