Login Register Sign up for the GRM e-newsletter

Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » My girlfriend wants to be a cop
  • Racer1ab

    Sept. 2, 2011 3:57 a.m. Racer1ab Reader

    In the event this isn't a joke, I'll try to help.

    Basically any police department you want to get into has a website, get on there and you can find the answers to all of your questions.

    Also, apparently you're a hot chick, but you may want to take down the hot-linked picture if it is indeed a picture of yourself. You're going to have enough of a problem being taken seriously by males in law enforcement, you don't wanna give them any extra ammo they can play with.

    If it sounds like I'm being just a bit abrasive, I am. I find it hard to believe that someone who is about to graduate with their bachelor's degree can't figure out where to go to find this information on their own. If you pass the initial written testing and physical testing, you will almost invariably sit down to a panel of officers who will be grilling you to see how you respond under pressure.

    My advice? Law enforcement is not for everybody, you may want to volunteer for the local police dept, sheriff's reserve, or do some ride-alongs with your local agency to see if this is really something you want to get into.

    Hope that helps.

  • JoeyM

    Sept. 2, 2011 4:53 a.m. JoeyM SuperDork

    +1 to ride alongs and volunteering....most departments have programs like this. Try it before going to police academy...you may find the level of monotony and amount of paperwork to be a deal breaker

  • kazoospec

    Sept. 2, 2011 6:12 a.m. kazoospec Reader

    +1 on taking down the picture. When it comes to actual "on the street" police work, its all about potential employers being able to trust your judgment. They WILL to extensive checks of your internet history and this kind of stuff (plus the "here's me and all my friends wasted at the bar" pics) isn't going to be what you want them to find. Clean all that kind of stuff up before you apply. As for the job, I'm not a cop, but I've worked with them for 20+ years (I'm an assistant prosecuting attorney). The following is my opinion/experience: Its a HARD life. At least here locally, they get no respect and little backing from the community. The Norman Rockwell cop in the soda shop days are over. You're going to spend large amounts of your time dealing with knuckle heads who think Springer is the best show on TV, have to do paperwork for everything and find that most of your average day/night waiting for something to happen. You've gotta be able to function day after day on half eaten meals and 3-4 hours of sleep. Everyone you deal with will be in crisis, and you won't be able to point out to them that its of their own making. And the list goes on. The ride along is a great idea. But ride along on a graveyard shift on Wednesday, though, just to see what its really like. Oh, and don't go to sleep the next day when you get home. Try to just push through the next day. Then imagine doing that for about 5-10 years until you have enough seniority to work days. If you think you can take all that, by all means sign up.

  • 914Driver

    Sept. 2, 2011 7:12 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    With a four year degree you can apply to the FBI academy.

    OTOH posting pictures like that on the Internet to a bunch of strangers may be a disqualityer.

    Go to a small local town and apply. When a position opens for training or in a larger town they pick from existing cops, not someone off the street.

    Become an MP in the military, that carries a lot of merit and opens door others won't see.

    Good luck but don't quit your current job just yet.

    Dan

  • mad_machine

    Sept. 2, 2011 7:21 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

    definatly take down the picture. You can be sure that any force applied to will do a search... heck, ANY business will probably do a check these days

  • N Sperlo

    Sept. 2, 2011 7:50 a.m. N Sperlo Dork

    I like the picture, but I agree with the rest on that subject. I have passed Metro Saint Louis tests, revue boards, and physical. Unfortunately I'm under contract to not give specifics on them.

    What I can give is general information upon things, like the physical. It is not easy. Prepare. I'm a fit person, and it is still tough.

    A department may give you study materials. The test is very easy for most departments. Study anyway and read methodically.

    Police are family. Make friends and someone will make a spot for you. Make many friends and their friends will be your friends.

    Feel free to contact me privately.

    I meet with an important person tonight regarding something similar to your search. Wish me luck and send me a little positive energy.

  • Giant Purple Snorklewacker

    Sept. 2, 2011 7:59 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

    You are going to need to get into the uniform:

    Hang out/prance in bars where real, actual cops frequent. They will give you the inside scoop.

    PS: Posting underwear pics on the internet was a grrreat start. Keep up the good work!

  • 93EXCivic

    Sept. 2, 2011 8:00 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

  • 1988RedT2

    Sept. 2, 2011 8:15 a.m. 1988RedT2 Dork

    Please be aware that most of the people on here are nuts and will give you bad info. Case in point: Some here are suggesting that you take down the picture. Absolutely wrong! Please post other pictures in addition to the very nice one that you have already posted.

  • N Sperlo

    Sept. 2, 2011 8:19 a.m. N Sperlo Dork

    1988RedT2 wrote:

    Please be aware that most of the people on here are nuts and will give you bad info. Case in point: Some here are suggesting that you take down the picture. Absolutely wrong! Please post other pictures in addition to the very nice one that you have already posted.

    Yes, there was definitely a case in that point.

    Here, let me give you my email....

  • Osterkraut

    Sept. 2, 2011 8:23 a.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

    Nothing to say about being a cop, but you'll thank me after you look up anterior pelvic tilt on The Google.

  • Grtechguy

    Sept. 2, 2011 8:31 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

    1988RedT2 wrote:

    Please be aware that most of the people on here are nuts and will give you bad info. Case in point: Some here are suggesting that you take down the picture. Absolutely wrong! Please post other pictures in addition to the very nice one that you have already posted.

    I was thinking he just wants to play with the cuffs

  • AngryCorvair

    Sept. 2, 2011 8:39 a.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

    at least you did a "background check"

  • slantvaliant

    Sept. 2, 2011 8:59 a.m. slantvaliant Dork

    The academy should lead to some form of license. In Texas, it's administered by the TCLEOSE. There may be some kind of reciprocity or transition training involved if you choose to work in another state.

    No comment on the pic, except that you look to be in fair physical shape. For the academy, work on aerobics and some strength training.

  • N Sperlo

    Sept. 2, 2011 9:07 a.m. N Sperlo Dork

    Osterkraut wrote:

    Nothing to say about being a cop, but you'll thank me after you look up anterior pelvic tilt on The Google.

    Don't worry, strap a standard level 3a vest to her and shell be standing straight.

  • Strizzo

    Sept. 2, 2011 9:39 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork

    find out what department nearby will pay for you to go to the academy, or if they're big enough they might actually have an internal training/cadet program. they'll probably want a commitment of some amount of time afterward from you in exchange for sending you, but its still better than paying your own way through.

  • Ojala

    Sept. 2, 2011 11:39 a.m. Ojala Reader

    You can listen to my advice or not, but I have been doing the job for years and I have trained a lot of rookies, so do with this advice what you will.

    1 Ask the academy how to apply. I can almost guarantee they have a brochure or a website that will tell you the entire process.

    2 Small towns usually want you to already have a certification. You have to pay your own way through an academy. Some community colleges and regional government agencies run their own police academies. There might be exceptions but usually neither of those options will pay you while you are in the academy.

    3 Big cities have their own academies and pay you to go to the academy. If you are just going to go to a city for their academy and leave as soon as you are eligible then I dont know what to tell you. If you are doing it because you are afraid to work in a big city then you might get your peace officer license but you will never be a "cop" and you will never pass me as a rookie.

    4 Ask the academy about their requirements to get into the academy.

    5 Ask the academy about their requirements to graduate the academy.

    You also need to stop doing ridiculous things like putting pictures like that on the internet. Take down your Facespace, Mybook, or whatever pages. Stupid things like that will get you kicked from the hiring process.

    Looking back I would ask more questions about the retirement plan and the retirement vesting process.

    Please remember that it is a career that you will eventually retire from or leave. Crime was here before you and it will be here long after you are gone. The bad guys do win sometimes and even the good people at best tolerate you.

  • imirk

    Sept. 2, 2011 1:24 p.m. imirk Reader

    OP seems to have dissappeared :/

 
Tire Rack- Revolutionizing Tire Buying

This topic is locked. No further posts are being accepted.