L.E.O. question...Why did you become a police officer?

[sierra255]

I spent a total of 33 yrs. on the job, and 28 of those yrs. were in municipal law enforcement. It truely is "the greatest show on earth". I like to think I have seen it all, but everyday was different, and you never knew what was going to happen next. Yes, the thrill of the hunt kept me going. I get a moderate pension & took my SS at 62, so I can get along for now, and I knew going in that I would never "keep up with the socialites".

When asked why did I become a LEO, my answer is straight and simple. I did it to make a difference in peoples lives & stand up for those who could not.

 

[judge]

Tool a Federal LEO job for 2 reasons - no one ever got laid off, and 20yr retirement (now 25yrs). How can you beat 20yr retirement?? Bailed out in 1991 and it was the best day of my life to hand in the equipment. So far 21yrs of paid vacation, with more to go!!

 

[keith44spl]

Ya get to visit folks.....

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[moosedog]

I grew up in Detroit and always admired Police Officers even though my father hated them. Coming from a broken and disfunctional family setting, I never though that I was good enough for the job.
After high school I saw a few of the guys in the neighborhood get on DPD and I though, heck, if they can do it then so can I.
I fought the affirmative action thing for several years and finally got on. Did 32 years in two departments combined and would not have done anything different.
I don't know why it is, but a lot of cops tell their children not to get on the job. Probably just want them to do better than them. Personally, my daughter is getting into LE and I am proud of her. Hoping my son does the same.

 

[sigp220.45]

I swear this is true.

My dad took me to see Deliverance in the movie theater when I was 12.

Prior to that day I was a budding young paleontologist. I walked out of that theater knowing I had to have a job that would let me carry a gun ALL THE TIME.

Here's to you, Ned Beatty!

 

[monet61]

Needed a job when I got out of the Navy. Tried driving cab and bartending. Got to be friends with one of the deputies that would come in on bar checks and it went from there. Nothing existential.

 

[OLDFED]

A friend said the department was hiring and I hated my job. I applied and was hired. Thirty-four years later and a succession of college and federal LEO positions, I retired VERY happy with my decision. I still miss catching bad guys.

 

[deralte]

Charles, if you find yourself having doubts about going into law enforcement, don't. I went into Federal Law Enforcement because of the adventure and enjoyed it. We did both criminal and counterintelligence investigations. I must admit that I'm glad that I am now retired and don't get calls in the wee hours of the morning.

 

[Blackcloud2]

Not a police officer, but i realy appreciate and thank everyone that weare the badge.

Amen to that brother! My late father was a cop and my son is today. I know the reasons both of them decided to serve, different in both situations, but it's not for me to speak on their behalf I guess. I will say this though, I truly believe that it is a calling. Yes there are cops that's really shouldn't be, just like any profession, but there are those that really are made for it. My dad and son were/are, I wasn't and understand that, but I knew how to make a radio/TV/stereo/F-4 fighter jet work. God Bless any and all that have, do and will wear a badge; without you most folk don't realize how quickly the hoardes will roam.

 

[jrs70]

I always wanted to be a cop. Entered collage and it became apparent that it would take a long time to get on a department. Several of my fellow students were MP's in the National Guard. Told me about activate duty MP duty. Well I wanted to see the world. So I joined the Army as an MP. 20 years and 27 days later I lived in 5 stated and 2 counties I retired. Did all my time as an MP. After I retired I did corrections and worked for the Army as a Police Officer. I still work for the US Gov't but not in law enforcement. Yes helping people was the part I liked the most. I would not have changed a thing. I was told once by an old teacher I had I was lucky. I asked why. Because most people do not get the job they really want to do.

 

[MaximumLawman]

I swear this is true.

My dad took me to see Deliverance in the movie theater when I was 12.

Prior to that day I was a budding young paleontologist. I walked out of that theater knowing I had to have a job that would let me carry a gun ALL THE TIME.

Here's to you, Ned Beatty!

You win! No contest!

 

[4011]

I started work GM in 64. Moved into GM Security in 67. Liked the uniform but needed more. A friend introduced me to the local PD Reserve unit. Started that in 74. I had a good paying real job and could go help catch bad guys and work traffic on days off. Working all the overtime and close to 350 hours a years as a Reserve took a toll on home life. Retired GM in 97. Retired as the Reserve Lt. In 2006. Don't miss GM but I do miss the PD. Lots changed during the years with the PD. would I do it again heck yes in a heart beat. Had to stop because of back issues. I can still fit in my 70's uniform......barely......hats off to the men and women who make law enforcement the life.

 

[the hudge]

I'm done now, but I thought I could make a difference; I did, I think.

 

[K9 Rex]

Only job I could find where i got to carry a gun, and ride around with a big dog, and play with explosives.

 

[akviper]

MaximumLawman pretty much covered it for me. I was a gun totin' hippy back in the 70s and saw some good cops and bad cops. I decided I would work to become one of the good ones, I did it for 30 years and feel I had a good, interesting career. I learned a great deal about the good and evil people are capable of.

I would not want my sons to enter law enforcement today. Back in the 70s the cops were represented by "Adam 12", "Police Story", and "Dragnet". Now we are portrayed as psychotic criminals that pretty much ignore the law and human dignity. The profession is not respected as it once was. Unfortunately Hollywood chooses not to portray those great individuals that do a tough job as they really are.

I also saw the variance of professionalism. Standards were often compromised to attain "diversity". It seemed as time went on more and more applicants were only interested in getting a government job rather than wanting to truly be a public servant.

There are still outstanding professionals out there and I hope they will keep the faith and elevate the standards of those who need to try harder.

 

[Fredo Batali]

I got out of the military and thought, I can do that. I know I can make a difference. It was a little tougher than I thought. Especially on my wife wondering if the nightly kiss goodbye would be the last. I must say I loved the job, I was born a Sheep Dog.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[model70hunter]

The Sheriff and my parents were part of the founding group of our New church. We knew each other very well. His son and I were the same age. I loved to shoot pistols and was looking for local teams to join. There wen't any. One day while talking about pistol teams with my friend he told me he had become a Reserve officer and they wanted to start a pistol team. I joined up. The team never got off the ground. But LE reserve work started. I would have rather worked full time as an LE if the pay had been better.


The first observed difference on the job was, when I went to a bar it was to have specific patrons line up against the wall after the fight.
A life long friend was Air Force security and after retiring he became a full time deputy retiring as Captain this year. I told him it was odd to see him behind the badge since he was a tad bit wild our youth. He told me he just got tired of riding in the back seat of a cruiser and straightened up to get in the front seat.

 

[The Big D]

I had graduated from college and was looking for a job. Short version: I had two (2) firm job offers on the table. 1. Become a budget analyst. 2. Become a cop.

Literally had to make the final decision over the course of one weekend. Chose to become a cop. It was the best 30.5 years of my life. Saw and did things I never imagined. Chased bad guys, helped good people, saw a whole lot of the United States (on the job in forty-six (46) states), and had more fun than any of my other friends who were not cops.

Much of my career (due to promotions) was in command and executive positions, but the vast majority was operational...not administrative.

Worked all the OT I could find in my "youth" and was more than fairly compensated. (Note: If you locked up criminals, 2nd and beyond court appearances were OT if you were off-duty at the time. And with weekday days off, that was likely.)

In the later years of my career I was very well paid...but NO overtime allowed...salary capped. My retirement plan ended in 1978 but incumbents were "grandfathered." I am blessed to be able to enjoy my retired years in style.

One final note: I WOULD do it again regardless of the state of salary/benefits.

Be safe.

 

[Checkman]

Beats me.

































































































Just Kidding.

Family tradition. I'm the fifth or sixth generation now. Though I wasn't expected to follow in the family profession.

A different job. Despite the many drawbacks it's still different.

The mystique attached to the job. After 12 years it's gone, but it was a strong draw.

Stubborness. Many people telling me I wasn't right to be a cop. To short, to much of an intellectural, to nice. Then once I got the badge being told the same thing by cops. Don't tell me I can't do the job because I don't meet your standards. The heck with that.

The pay is steady. It's adequate. There are benefits.

I still like the idea of being a cop. Despite the reality of the work there are still some people who say thank you now and again and they mean it.

 

[AITG]

I was told there were three reasons to be a cop:
1. You get to carry a gun.
2. You get to drive fast.
3. You can meet women.

Now, I know that carrying a gun is like carrying a handkerchief, driving fast is really stressful and I don't care to know that kind of woman.