SHould I become a LEO

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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Well...that simple should I quit EMS and GO to NYPD..'ve taken the test and differres twice ANd I'm schedule to take the next test. I do pretty well on these tests and usually am contacted pretty quicky. If I take it I'd be taking an initial paycut but after 5 years I could potentially be making a Great deal morethan now..Plus PD has 20 and out retirement which means I could retire at 53.Where as my current position does not..What my current position does have however is a 3 day work week (although they are long) PD has 5 on 2 off 5 on 3 off...So a 5 day a week commute might limit how far I can move out of the city...I'm postin this hear cause alot of you folks know me..Just trying to get some opinions...Thanks.
 
Hey bro, I think You would make a fine officer. I have many friends who started as an NYPD officer, and do to the BS and politics were all dieing to transfer. Most of them got there wishes some of them are still miserable down there. I can put you in touch with a few of them that will be happy to help you make your decision, and tell you the pros and cons of the job. It is possible to make good money down there, but that means alot of OT if you can get. Most of the OT is in the not so desireable areas.
 
LEO for 10 years. IMO and I'm sorry to bust your chops but if you are asking that question of others. Your answer is probably no. The desire and will to perform in chaos while others run away in a thankless occupation must come from within yourself. That being said nothing will stop you from at least trying and seeing if it's for you. My 2 cents. No offense intended.
 
I think you should get yourself out here Riley, they are crying out for cops, correctional officers and sherrifs dept workers. We can meet up for some hikes then !!!!
 
I would not base your decision on a belief that you might be with the NYPD in twenty years. Many officers change departments at least once in an LE career in an attempt to better their/their family's situation. There is always another department that pays better, has better benefits, etc., etc. If not that, then maybe you will be thinking about some federal LE job down the road.

Some other things to think about:

Are you willing to work on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day when your friends and family are home celebrating? What about missing graduations, sports events that your kids are in, spring break vacations, and having to work overtime at the last minute when you and your wife had plans? (BTW, your family must also be willing to put up with all these things as well.) Are you prepared to be overlooked when you do your job well, be blamed for something when you did nothing wrong, and be passed up on promotions due to considerations beyond the criteria that you are capable of doing the job better than anyone else? Could you take the life of a 12-year-old who is waiving a loaded gun around in a threatening manner if you had to?

There are a lot of things about being a law enforcement officer that are very tough. Some of them can be life changing events. There are, for those who can make it, also many rewards that one will find in no other job. I hate to be cliche, but only you and your family can decide if it's a good fit for you. There is no need to rush into it--think long and carefully. Ride along in your spare time with some of the locals to get an idea of what it is like. Get to know their families and find out the what they think of having an LEO in the family. I'm sure you can think of other things to do as well.

Whatever you decide, best of luck in your choice. :)
 
Hey man. Why not do both. You can drop EMS to a 12 a week, and do the copper thing the rest of the time. You dont job hop now do ya? Alot of guys in our field do it. Im not one though. NYPD would be sweet, I cant believe you guys dont have 20 and out retirement. Arent you union w/ the fd?
 
cmgray said:
LEO for 10 years. IMO and I'm sorry to bust your chops but if you are asking that question of others. Your answer is probably no. The desire and will to perform in chaos while others run away in a thankless occupation must come from within yourself. That being said nothing will stop you from at least trying and seeing if it's for you. My 2 cents. No offense intended.
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dude hes already a medic, as am I, arent we already in a thankless job? That comes with the turf. Usually we are right there with law, as are you with us.
 
Its not about the retirement or pay, its the inner desire you have to fill. You live for the day too day, and every day, then plan for the future.
Wouldn't it be a shame to look back in 20 years and say "I always wanted to be a Cop"
On the other hand if you became an Officer and then left the force after just a few years to start over at something new, in 20 years you would likely look back and say with great pride, "I was NYPD"
 
j williams said:
dude hes already a medic, as am I, arent we already in a thankless job? That comes with the turf. Usually we are right there with law, as are you with us.
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I was thinking the same thing. I am an EMT and a volunteer so I don't even get paid for being an "ambulance driver".

I was trying to figure out what to say to you. The ride alongs sound like a great idea and talking with other cops is also a great idea. Being paid more is always nice but the time off with the medic gig is worth lots also. I still really don't know what to say. You could always do the cop thing for a year or two and still keep your Medic certs up to date for at least the first recert. They may even have tactical medics on some of the teams so they may allow you to keep your certs during work hours?? Your must be somewhat young so do it now, you can always change your mind. Again, talk to guys and ride with some to see what the job really is like and what they think.

Sorry I can't be much help. You seem like a good guy and would probably make a good cop. Your a medic so I can assume you can think on your feet under pressure. The police could probably use you so it really is what you want to do.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

KR
 
:thumbup:to the volunteers, you guys rock!

mmmmmm...tactical medic.....That would be so sweet!
 
John,

You're a great guy. Over the last two years I've really grown to think fondly of you. My opinion is that you will do well with whatever you do. that said, follow you're heart, but with your mind shortly in tow. Make a smart decision and make it with your happiness and the happiness of your family in mind.

best of luck!
brett
RescueRiley said:
Well...that simple should I quit EMS and GO to NYPD..'ve taken the test and differres twice ANd I'm schedule to take the next test. I do pretty well on these tests and usually am contacted pretty quicky. If I take it I'd be taking an initial paycut but after 5 years I could potentially be making a Great deal morethan now..Plus PD has 20 and out retirement which means I could retire at 53.Where as my current position does not..What my current position does have however is a 3 day work week (although they are long) PD has 5 on 2 off 5 on 3 off...So a 5 day a week commute might limit how far I can move out of the city...I'm postin this hear cause alot of you folks know me..Just trying to get some opinions...Thanks.
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Alot of good sound advice here boys Thanks... That's exactly why I posted it here..In the end It'' require some soul searching to come to the right decision..but whenever it comes to a decisions like this it's a;ways nice to hear from your friends..WHich over the past few years you guys have all become...I love this place...
 
cmgray said:
LEO for 10 years. IMO and I'm sorry to bust your chops but if you are asking that question of others. Your answer is probably no. The desire and will to perform in chaos while others run away in a thankless occupation must come from within yourself. That being said nothing will stop you from at least trying and seeing if it's for you. My 2 cents. No offense intended.
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+1:thumbup:
 
Weren't you thinking of getting into teaching awhile back? Depending on what sort of degree/major you have, that might not necessarily be a lot of extra classes or training, especially with the shortages these days.

Good luck with whatever direction you take.
 
Hi Rescue - I don't know you but I can share some personal insight.
I did the cop thing for 4 years in a suburb of Detroit and here is what I learned
The first year on the job (after you get out of F.T.O program) was exciting and I pretty much enjoyed EVERYTHING - the paperwork/reports, all of the calls EVERYTHING. The second year was still mostly enjoyable - I still enjoyed being in the middle stuff that a normal person would run away from, but I started to hate the paperwork and most of the Judges in District and Circuit court. The third year had some enjoyable moments - I enjoyed the "brotherhood" and still enjoyed "hot" calls but didn't care for the paperwork, politics, off shifts, mandatory court, etc. The fourth year pretty much sucked - I hated dealing with the same P.O.S's day in and day out and responding to the same homes for the same crap, I started to resent the fact that I would bust my butt to "put somebody in the system" only to have a Judge let them go due to jail overcrowding, politics, etc. I was shot at directly twice in my last year - both times while I was in a car and unable to tell where the shots were coming from, no arrests were ever made. I've picked up body parts off of railroad tracks and walked into basements with brains dripping off the ceiling after a guy decided to eat his gun. You know what, I still felt good about what I was doing and there were still enjoyable moments right up until the time I left. The decision was pretty easy for me - I had 2 kids and was fortunate to walk into an investigator position with the State. I still get to do "law enforcement" type work except I now do it M-F from 8-4 with weekends and holidays reserved for my children. I'm also not chasing people through back yards at 2:00 am or getting spit on. Most of my close friends are Police officers that no longer like their "job" but enjoy being a cop (might not understand that unless you've done it). I say give it a shot if you "think" you will enjoy it, but you will never be able to decide unless you've done it. Odds are you will either Love it or Absolutely hate it after a few years - only you can decide.
 
shift work, politics, thankless job, mediocre pay, never see your family, spend all your off time in court, 10 hour shift becomes 16 after too often, ass kissers, climbers.

This is what you dont think about when becoming a cop. Its not all glory, not of it ever is.
 
I'll be honest alot of the negative attributes most people are describing are remarkably similar to my current job...picking up the same drunks, od's and attemted suicides everyday..Getting subpeonaed for court.. cleaning blood and puke and sometime brains from my clothes, Working weekends and holidays..Getting spit at swung at..and occasionally threated at gun or knife point...I work closely with police frequently enough to see the similarities and differences between the jobs and I've got enough miles on me at this point to have no misguided romantic notions regarding what a job might entail.. But Thank you to everyone who spoke there mind and contributed thier opinion.. much obliged.
 
Do it bro. I'm waiting for my LEO testing here right now. The benefits and timeline are worth it. DO IT.
 
RescueRiley said:
I'll be honest alot of the negative attributes most people are describing are remarkably similar to my current job...picking up the same drunks, od's and attemted suicides everyday..Getting subpeonaed for court.. cleaning blood and puke and sometime brains from my clothes, Working weekends and holidays..Getting spit at swung at..and occasionally threated at gun or knife point...I work closely with police frequently enough to see the similarities and differences between the jobs and I've got enough miles on me at this point to have no misguided romantic notions regarding what a job might entail.. But Thank you to everyone who spoke there mind and contributed thier opinion.. much obliged.
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Thats just what I was thinkin man....:thumbup:
 
the difference is when someone calls you to their house as ems/fd people in the house want your help there. I can't say the same for the police when we get the call. I'm not taking away from ems cause I want you guys around. But consider this you go when they call. In many instance I'm required to forcefully insert myself into their lives (self initiated enforcement, ie traffic stops). I'm not trying to turn this thread into a whose job is better but police and ems is like comparing apples to potatoes.
 
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