I Wish I Never Became a Police Officer

I'm a retired officer from the East Coast, and I can honestly say that I wish I never became a police officer. I did my best to do good during my career, but the administration kept bringing me down. I think I only made a dent in the world. I never moved mountains like I dreamed I would when I was a kid.

I had always wanted to be a police officer. I watched all the cop shows and movies, read cop books, and even dreamed about being a police officer when I slept at night. I think I just fell in love with the movie version of a cop, not the real version.

Give it some real thought before you sign the dotted line.

You don't sign anything. It's a committment not a legal obligation. If you don't like anything then it's your perogotive to quit at any time. You stayed until retirement.

Also, nothing in reality is as it's portrayed on TV. This is the basis of many unjust stereotypes. Integridy is a requirement but is not enough, real police officers should and do emphasize real-world logic and reasoning. They also tend to be hard and thick-skinned. All this seemed to have escaped you my friend.

I want to know why Officer's from police departments think their shi* does not stink. I had a Snake training Commander while I was in the academy who told me the Chief was going to fire me If I did not qualify. I went back worried as hell that my career was over before it started. I spoke with the Commissioner and explained the situation. The Chief never said that. The Commander advised me that he got a chewing out for that. He turned many officers against me and brought a lot of stress to my job. I suggest anyone who is getting in to Law Enforcement do not trust any piece of shi* in a white shirt. This career is dirty. You want to do the right thing and they will find away to push you out. Become a Lawyer!

The first post was put up by a faker using my name as revenge against me for banning him from the Officer.com forums. I enjoyed my more than two decades of service and never regret a day of it. I continue to serve as an instructor, author and editor for Officer.com. I'd like to extend a debt of gratitude to all officers who serve our great nation's internal safety and peace. It's often a thankless job that we continue to do as a matter of commitment and duty. STAY SAFE!

U have worked in both Texas and New Mexico. In 17 years and three different departments I found that it is all about departmental politics. Everyone says law enforcement is a stress job...It is but all the stress comes from the politics within the department. I have seen more GOOD officers leave a department and the political trash stay. You cannot tell me that this does not take place in departments all over the United States. I have talked with too many officers from other states during my 17 years to believe that. I was always told to "go with the flow" and I would do well in my career. It's hard to go with the "flow" when you see officers committing acts that would get the normal citizen in trouble. Come on guys, let's be real here.

i have been looking for information on how to be a police officer and the requirements, but havent found straight answers. Does anyone know the details on how to become an officer? in Dallas Texas or Texas really?

The requirement is different in every area, so you might want to go and talk to the actual department that you are interested in joining. You have to be physically fit, obviously, and most places require at least 60 credit hours of college. The more schooling you have, the better off your chances will be that they will hire you.

Where I live, you have to be accepted by an academy, complete the courses, and then submit your application for review. Having a great back ground will up your chances of approval as well.

Your best bet is to talk to someone in the department. They can be more specific about everything. Hope it helps and good luck!

Mr. Borelli, as a fellow police officer, I'm glad that you stepped up and cleared the air of that false statement. I have never met a LEO, active or retired, who has said that they regret ever becoming a police officer. I have never had a more profound sense of accomplishment, honor, or pride in my life as I have had in my 6 years of service. I can't wait to put on that uniform and go to work each day. Sure the job has its downfalls but you just have to take the bad with the good. Do I believe that I make a difference? Honestly... YES!!! I don't expect to "change the world" but I do believe that if I help just one person each shift I work, then I just might have changed that persons life, and done my job for that day!!

So, to anyone who is "on the fence" about becoming a police officer? You have to be true to your choice. Do the research and talk to an officer and get their take. Don't base it on television. Even it is "COPS". Everyday police work is not glamerous and does not always end... "Happily Ever After"

Sincerely,

Ofc. S. M. Smith
Prince William County Police Department

is there any way i can interview you for my college paper

truth in Chicago, Illinois said: I want to know why Officer's from police departments think their shi* does not stink. I had a Snake training Commander while I was in the academy who told me the Chief was going to fire me If I did not qualify. I went back worried as hell that my career was over before it started. I spoke with the Commissioner and explained the situation. The Chief never said that. The Commander advised me that he got a chewing out for that. He turned many officers against me and brought a lot of stress to my job. I suggest anyone who is getting in to Law Enforcement do not trust any piece of shi* in a white shirt. This career is dirty. You want to do the right thing and they will find away to push you out. Become a Lawyer!

...A lawyer... wow that is so a dirty career too.

Hello,

I'm currently a senior in high school who's ambition is leaning towards the law enforcement career field. I will soon pursue higher education at Eastern Kentucky University, receiving a 4 year bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I'm also enrolled for a 4 month course to earn my EMT certification, which hopefully will entice the police departments to highly consider me. My question is: "Will I ever become a police officer with this much education?" I'm worried that I'll get too far in and end up never finding a job. If I don't get hired on as a Fayette County metro, I'm going to follow my greatest aspirations and apply for a DEA position with the US government. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you,
Thomas Logan

P.S. Please send me some information at my email: thomas@thepokerclinic.net

Thomas L in Lexington, Kentucky said: Hello,

I'm currently a senior in high school who's ambition is leaning towards the law enforcement career field. I will soon pursue higher education at Eastern Kentucky University, receiving a 4 year bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I'm also enrolled for a 4 month course to earn my EMT certification, which hopefully will entice the police departments to highly consider me. My question is: "Will I ever become a police officer with this much education?" I'm worried that I'll get too far in and end up never finding a job. If I don't get hired on as a Fayette County metro, I'm going to follow my greatest aspirations and apply for a DEA position with the US government. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you,
Thomas Logan

P.S. Please send me some information at my email: thomas@thepokerclinic.net

join the military for some real experience in which you can do MP - military police......those criminal justice degree are a waste of time and popping up everywhere like the eco friendly products....if you really want to pursue that degree, make sure it is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting institutions and nothing else....the thing about dreams jobs is that some people have no experience nor background will get the job while some may prepare for it for years and end up not getting the job....

think about it in Daly City, California said: join the military for some real experience in which you can do MP - military police......those criminal justice degree are a waste of time and popping up everywhere like the eco friendly products....if you really want to pursue that degree, make sure it is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting institutions and nothing else....the thing about dreams jobs is that some people have no experience nor background will get the job while some may prepare for it for years and end up not getting the job....

I will be attending Eastern Kentucky University, which is an accredited school and has the best Criminal Justice program in the country. One thing that puzzles me about people's impressions on CJ Degree's, is how one can think it will not benefit you while working hand in hand with officials who serve justice. It's just not logical to think a 4-year Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice won't benefit you when pursuing a job as a probation or parole officer. After all, they do work in court houses that are solely based on the principle of justice. Relating a Criminal Justice degree to police work retains the same kind of foundation principles and shows departments you possess stability characteristics, which is extremely important when you are sworn in.

I want to be a police officer, not a rocket scientist. I feel a 4-year degree in Criminal Justice (regardless of how popular they're becoming) will guarantee me a job. Because ultimately, the world is going to need police officers and crime rates aren't decreasing. I don't know about your city, but the officer to citizen ratio is about 200:1. Do you know what this means? It means the city of Lexington is undermanned. I'll see you in 5 years when I've conquered my goals.....maybe I'll give you a break on your next highway speeding ticket.

To future Officer Thomas Logan, you are doing the right thing about getting your Bachelor's. It's not going to guarantee you a job as a police officer but it will help you achieve your goal. By the way, it is not a waste of time to get your degree. You have to be 21 in most states to become a police officer in the first place, and even then not many people get hired on at 21. Work on getting your degree for the time being. Plus, most parole/probation officer position require a degree. Either was it sounds like you got a good plan to get where you want to be. Keep your mind set on your goals and I wish you luck.

Politics are everywhere. Not just the police.

In almost most American or US industries, politics and brown nosing is valued more than actual productivity..

and that is why our economy is in the dumps..

because while we are playing politics, the Chinese are taking over the world because of their productivity..

Americans are too stupid to realize this, and we suffer from a severe case of denial.. pretty soon the Chinese are going to hold all the offices and run every agency... public and private..
then every police officer and every other professional in other industries can kiss their jobs good-bye..

I just recently retired as an Officer in New Hampshire. I have been offered numerous other LE jobs and I'm here to tell you that I will never ever put a uniform on again. It is not the public that makes the job so degrading but the administration. Chief Rod Collins, now of the Mashpee, Ma Police Department is the main reason I hate the profession so much. He sets double standards, one for him and his pals on the force and then another standard for all the others. His list of accomplishments are distinguished. He got a NH State Trooper suspended after he begged the trooper to let him go on a Drunk Driving charge (which the poor trooper did), has appeared in a sex tape involving one of his former dispatchers, has involved himself in extramarrital affairs and has been forced to leave all three New Hampshire police departments where he served as police chief. He surrounds himself with a few close friends, one of which is now his Captain (from NH of course). How he got hired in Mashpee is beyond me as they obviously failed to conduct a proper background investigation, otherwise the above mentioned items would have been uncovered. Oh, that's right one of his friends was serving as interim chief at the time in Mashpee.

My point is, your career will be dictated by administrators such as Chief Rodney, do as I say and certainly not as I do. I am proud to have served but disgraced to have served under Chief Rodney Collins. To those who are looking and just have to take on the career, find a big city department, stay under the radar and click off your years.

I can't agree with you more, I have never been so miserable in this career. I have so much education and I'm wasting it here. Listen to this man THINK HARD BEFORE YOU SIGN!!!

I've read all of the posts and I'm not happy to hear that the Police Departments are not exempt from all of the bull crap that floats everywhere else. I was under the impression that the good guys get ahead in the police force but it sounds like that's not always the case.

I'm 35 years old and I've just been accepted into an Academy and I'm looking forward to becoming a Police Officer. I've been around enough to know that, unfortunately, bad guys weasel their way into supervisor positions. IMHO, if you are stuck working for a bad cop, report any misuse of his authority to whomever can do something about it. Surely there is a cop there that has some years under his belt that can and will say something about it. Make it known even if it hurts your relations with others in the department. A bad Chief has no reason to be serving the people and hypocritically instructing officers to do not as he does.

If nothing else, apply for a position at another department and get out of there. Sooner or later, the truth always exposes itself.

Ive read all of these posts, some hateful some not so much. So i figured this would be a good place to get an opinion.
Im currently in the Army (NOT an MP) and am serving a combat tour in Afghanistan in the 101st Airborne, Im gettin out next year and I am very interested in becoming a police officer. I have no college background but my GI bill is always there to use if going to college would help in getting a job as a cop.
Ive had a few jobs before the Army and honestly I think theres always going to be politics, drama, and bullsh*t everywhere and it really doesnt bother me as I just deal with it.

My question is, is having my current background good enough or would college be preferred?

Cassady in Apo, you're current background is more than enough to get into an Academy which will prepare you for a career as a Police Officer. I'm taking night classes (4-5 hours a night) which takes 7 months to complete. Day classes (8 hours I think) get more accomplished in less time and it only takes three months. Thank you for your service and for keeping our country out of harms way.

BooYaa - your words are not falling on deaf ears, in fact I'd love to talk to you directly if so inclined. I can bring you up to speed on current history with yours truly. email bally5000@hotmail.com

Is anyone aware of federal or PA state grants available to pay for police training? Most of the departments in my area require you to complete the academy out of your own pocket before they hire you, and it is close to $4000 dollars, which I do not have. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rick in Pottsville, Pennsylvania said: Is anyone aware of federal or PA state grants available to pay for police training? Most of the departments in my area require you to complete the academy out of your own pocket before they hire you, and it is close to $4000 dollars, which I do not have. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm in Ohio, but you can apply for a Pell Grant. It sounds to me like you'll qualify for at least half of that cost, maybe all of it. Go to this website and fill out the application. fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/fotw1011/FFOTWServlet;jsessionid=0001OeDdrIJNN7jLs1Zbs90tcGE:11efeufe8

Police Officer for Life in Stafford, Virginia said: Mr. Borelli, as a fellow police officer, I'm glad that you stepped up and cleared the air of that false statement. I have never met a LEO, active or retired, who has said that they regret ever becoming a police officer. I have never had a more profound sense of accomplishment, honor, or pride in my life as I have had in my 6 years of service. I can't wait to put on that uniform and go to work each day. Sure the job has its downfalls but you just have to take the bad with the good. Do I believe that I make a difference? Honestly... YES!!! I don't expect to "change the world" but I do believe that if I help just one person each shift I work, then I just might have changed that persons life, and done my job for that day!!

So, to anyone who is "on the fence" about becoming a police officer? You have to be true to your choice. Do the research and talk to an officer and get their take. Don't base it on television. Even it is "COPS". Everyday police work is not glamerous and does not always end... "Happily Ever After"

Sincerely,

Ofc. S. M. Smith
Prince William County Police Department

Ofc. S. M. Smith,

`What is it really like as a police officer? So please tell me, do you work a lot in an office? How much are you in the field? I am interested in doing field work because I really want to help people. Also I am ashamed to say, all of my info is based on the T.V. show Criminal Minds. How is real police work different from televised "police work" ?

Sincerely,
Michelle

Police Officer for Life in Stafford, Virginia said: Mr. Borelli, as a fellow police officer, I'm glad that you stepped up and cleared the air of that false statement. I have never met a LEO, active or retired, who has said that they regret ever becoming a police officer. I have never had a more profound sense of accomplishment, honor, or pride in my life as I have had in my 6 years of service. I can't wait to put on that uniform and go to work each day. Sure the job has its downfalls but you just have to take the bad with the good. Do I believe that I make a difference? Honestly... YES!!! I don't expect to "change the world" but I do believe that if I help just one person each shift I work, then I just might have changed that persons life, and done my job for that day!!

So, to anyone who is "on the fence" about becoming a police officer? You have to be true to your choice. Do the research and talk to an officer and get their take. Don't base it on television. Even it is "COPS". Everyday police work is not glamerous and does not always end... "Happily Ever After"

Sincerely,

Ofc. S. M. Smith
Prince William County Police Department

Ofc. S. M. Smith,

`What is it really like as a police officer? So please tell me, do you work a lot in an office? How much are you in the field? I am interested in doing field work because I really want to help people. Also I am ashamed to say, all of my info is based on the T.V. show Criminal Minds. How is real police work different from televised "police work" ?

Sincerely,
Michelle

The good guys don't always win...

I'm currently in class where about 75% of these kids will not make good law enforcers. I was in the military for 3 years been maced tazed the works and they are currently going through a class known as skills. They are bitching and complaning about the up coming mace session and I cannot help but laugh on the inside. I know most of these kids are 19 20 but still so so sad.

Frank Borelli in Washington, District of Columbia said: I'm a retired officer from the East Coast, and I can honestly say that I wish I never became a police officer. I did my best to do good during my career, but the administration kept bringing me down. I think I only made a dent in the world. I never moved mountains like I dreamed I would when I was a kid.

I had always wanted to be a police officer. I watched all the cop shows and movies, read cop books, and even dreamed about being a police officer when I slept at night. I think I just fell in love with the movie version of a cop, not the real version.

Give it some real thought before you sign the dotted line.

maybe you didnt do your best in law enforcement to move the mountains you cant blame everyone else because you are not happy what happened while you were a police officer. I am 16 and i want to become a cop, i want to do the samething that you had dreamed of.

Student Needing an Interview in Denver, Colorado said: Any of you former and current Police officer interested in an email interview reguarding your time on the job? I am writing a paper for my English Class, at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood Colorado, on the culture of Police officers. The paper itself is focused on a nuetral discussion of the culture. The interview would be about 7-10 question, but I need honest and complete answers. Any Takers? Would love to hear your stories

Sure i'll help out...... Email me at SJjam@att.net

wow....this isn't what I wanted to hear. I have wanted to become a police officer my entire life. Now I'm having second thoughts. Isn't there a way to ignore/deal with this negative culture and beaureacracy.

By Last NameNameCityStateCountry SusanE Gage Winston-Salem North Carolina HeatherM GalavitzGainesville Georgia ElissaM GallupGreensboro North Carolina BrendanB GarciaHamptonville North Carolina
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MaryL GarrardHickory North Carolina EmilyR GarrettSanford North Carolina SaundraL GauntzClemmons North Carolina
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WilliamC GilbertStoneville North Carolina LoriA GilesNew Bern orth Carolina AbigailL GilleyEden North Carolina William A GillusGreensboro North Carolina StephanieGimenezWinston-Salem North Carolina GretchenE GleasonGreensboro North Carolina JosephR GlennHigh Point North Carolina Nevena GlogovacGreensboroNorth Carolina VirginiaGodwin
Greensboro North Carolina KristinD GoehringWinston-Salem North Carolina

Hey guys, so I've thought long and hard about a career in policing, and I've come to the conclusion that this is what I really want. I'm going to Police Foundations this coming September and I'm fit like a rhino carrying 400 logs, I just wanna say, I am excited for this challenging and rewarding career. It's only natural that my clan name is Mukwa, it just means bear, but one of its character traits is watching and protecting the world. I'm gonna replace some of the old cops I've seen around here. haha

I've been told by many officers that being a cop sucks, that everyone hates you. I've been told to become a firefighter, at least when the sit outside and let a house burn to the ground they are still given Thanks. ;)

I agree that many correctional officers and police officers either join the "Cause" or are punished and made to feel inferior and unwanted. I have seen many situations where people have gotten in trouble because although they are in their 30's, 40's, and 50's they think its ok to act like a child. Unfortunately, the people up top or back in the hallway calling the shots somehow cant keep their mouths shut and the person who brought up the unproffessional child like behavior is given up and ostricized, left out, and given unfair work loads all in an effort to make them quit or break. I think its funny that everybody is preaching this whole "team" thing, yet they think this gives them permission to act like they can do whatever they want because no one will say anything because were a "team" lol. The reason many police officers and CO's dont get any respect is because of this "team" mentality which fails because someone cant take the BS and gives them up and it ends up on the front page of the paper. So god bless the people that dont put up with their Co-workers immature BS and who do the RIGHT THING! and go back the hall to put an end to the BS even if it means their lives will be hell for a while.

I can only speak of my experience as an officer. It has been said here many times and I agree 100% that the most stress you will encounter in this job comes from within your own department. 99% of this stress comes from administration (puppet chiefs, arrogant supervisors, selfish agendas, etc.). More and more police departments are managed like a business instead of a brotherhood.

As a new recruit you begin this career wanting to prove yourself, you work hard, keep sharp and represent yourself and your agency with pride. You spin years away on patrol and admin forgets about you, until you misstep or catch a citizen complaint, then you are scrutinized and nearly drowned during their fishing expedition. Extraordinary effort or accomplishments are typically passed off as “doing your job.”

Before signing any offer of employment, understand the department; know why there is such high turnover, and why morale is so low. Never ever judge a book by its cover.

Be safe and smart brothers

well said I couldn't have said it any better.

Full-on in Salt Lake City, Utah said: I can only speak of my experience as an officer. It has been said here many times and I agree 100% that the most stress you will encounter in this job comes from within your own department. 99% of this stress comes from administration (puppet chiefs, arrogant supervisors, selfish agendas, etc.). More and more police departments are managed like a business instead of a brotherhood.

As a new recruit you begin this career wanting to prove yourself, you work hard, keep sharp and represent yourself and your agency with pride. You spin years away on patrol and admin forgets about you, until you misstep or catch a citizen complaint, then you are scrutinized and nearly drowned during their fishing expedition. Extraordinary effort or accomplishments are typically passed off as “doing your job.”

Before signing any offer of employment, understand the department; know why there is such high turnover, and why morale is so low. Never ever judge a book by its cover.

Be safe and smart brothers

What are the odds...I was hired by a local police department here along with 8 other recruits back in March of this year. I made a couple bad decisions before going to the academy which involved me being asked to resign. I was only at the department for two weeks - my mistakes were to be late to the office. Once was because a longtime family friend who lived out of town became deathly ill, she was not expected to live and needed a heart transplant ASAP. I went to see her. The trip took a toll on me because I returned home hours before work and ended up over sleeping. I called in late and went to work and got chewed out by my captain. I expected that. Then three days later I became sick with either food poisining or a stomach virus which was something I've never dealt with before and instead of going to the hospital, I again called in and went to work. When I got there, I was allowed to work till the end of the day but told to go talk to my captain again. My captain tearfully urged me to resign and told me if I didn't I would be fired the next day. I had just quit my security job which I hated and was about to withdraw from college when I started with this department. At first I refused because I let go of everything else but I still ended up resigning. I left her office and stormed out of the precinct heart broken and furious with myself. There is nothing more I would rather do than to be a police officer. It has nothing to do with the money because we all know here in Georgia police officers make a modest income. It has nothing to do with what was seen on TV; I understand that's not reality. It has everything to do with what my heart is fixed on doing and what my mind won't let me stop thinking about so I'm answering the call...I'm not perfect but I will do my best to be fair, stand up for the laws of Georgia and to lend a helping hand where needed. Does anyone on here believe I will become a police officer again?

I REALLY AGREE WITH YOU,YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT................

Frank Borelli in Washington, District of Columbia said: I'm a retired officer from the East Coast, and I can honestly say that I wish I never became a police officer. I did my best to do good during my career, but the administration kept bringing me down. I think I only made a dent in the world. I never moved mountains like I dreamed I would when I was a kid.

I had always wanted to be a police officer. I watched all the cop shows and movies, read cop books, and even dreamed about being a police officer when I slept at night. I think I just fell in love with the movie version of a cop, not the real version.

Give it some real thought before you sign the dotted line.

THE REAL Frank Borelli in Prince Frederick, Maryland said: The first post was put up by a faker using my name as revenge against me for banning him from the Officer.com forums. I enjoyed my more than two decades of service and never regret a day of it. I continue to serve as an instructor, author and editor for Officer.com. I'd like to extend a debt of gratitude to all officers who serve our great nation's internal safety and peace. It's often a thankless job that we continue to do as a matter of commitment and duty. STAY SAFE!

Hi there i was wondering if you could give me some information on how hard it is to become a Police Officer. You can email me at jdmathews3719@yahoo.com Thank you and have a great day!

Joey.

I always knew that I wanted to be a cop. I love it! I have always excelled in everything I have done. Since I have been an officer I have had more complaints than I have ever had in my professional career. Most of these were blue on blue type of complaints. I joined law enforcement hoping to recapture the commraderie that I had experienced in my military days. What a joke! Prior to employment with this newly developed department, I was asked/begged to stay at a larger agency. I had transferred to this new agency based on my family and I moving to this small community in Arizona, and I had never been complained on in my previous agency; in fact, I promoted more than once in my last agency. Wow! This new negative experience at this smaller agency was blowing me away. It got so bad once that I received a call while on a family outing with my wife; my wife became upset thinking I was involved in yet another complaint. She went off. This is the most supportive wife that I know, who was now very frustrated with the blue on blue politics. I LOVE my wife and kids; they have been 100% supportive to almost everything that we have done. My wife is a very accomplished teacher and new to being a professional attorney. When I think of what I would say to new recruits.... what advice I would give, I wonder what I would have wanted someone to share with me. I would have wanted to be prepared for what I faced. And truthfully, I did receive some warning. But it didn't register to the extent that it should have. I remember when I first thought of joining the police force, my family was most excited about "the weekend softball games and barbecues" that we would have with my future colleagues. LOL. I guess we had watched a little too much TV thinking that that was the way it was going to be. I don't know. I TRULY DO love the work, but I don't love the way officers treat each other and claw at each other in some agencies thinking it's going to help them to make their own way to top.

I need to interview a "PAROLE OR PROBATION OFFICER" i need this questions answered pleasee its for my guidance class.

Questions:
1.What do you do during a typical day?
2.What do you like most about your job?
3.What do you like least about your job?
4.What preparation (education, training, experience) would you suggest for someone interested in entering this field?
5.Have you held previous jobs which were stepping stones to this one?
What were they?
6.How did you get a job in this field?
7.When did you realize this is what you wanted to do?
8.What obstacles have you overcome?
9.Do you have any specific advice that you would give to someone considering this field work?
10.What do you see to be the future of this field of work?

Becoming a police officer is a job, and not always an easy one. But you go for the wrong people all the time, i know what goes on around everywere and to put it quite simple your being laughed at.

The districts your searching in at the moment have alot of respect and if you put the wrong people in jail you start a war. How about you just look into a case deeply and monitor it and then go for a bust ? No idea why i would help the police because they just disrespect you all the time and could be much better.

Bottom line is "people" like me have other "people" looking out for them and not to be over the top right now but i have never not known the exact position of the police around me ever ! So you may want to take that into consideration too otherwise i recommend you just take to the streets and stop fights instead.

Police Officer for Life in Stafford, Virginia said: Mr. Borelli, as a fellow police officer, I'm glad that you stepped up and cleared the air of that false statement. I have never met a LEO, active or retired, who has said that they regret ever becoming a police officer. I have never had a more profound sense of accomplishment, honor, or pride in my life as I have had in my 6 years of service. I can't wait to put on that uniform and go to work each day. Sure the job has its downfalls but you just have to take the bad with the good. Do I believe that I make a difference? Honestly... YES!!! I don't expect to "change the world" but I do believe that if I help just one person each shift I work, then I just might have changed that persons life, and done my job for that day!!

So, to anyone who is "on the fence" about becoming a police officer? You have to be true to your choice. Do the research and talk to an officer and get their take. Don't base it on television. Even it is "COPS". Everyday police work is not glamerous and does not always end... "Happily Ever After"

Sincerely,

Ofc. S. M. Smith
Prince William County Police Department

Hi Ofc. S. M. Smith,
I am in my 3rd year of Criminal Justice. Right now I am writing my Research assignment, The title is: Life and the stress of wearing the Badge. I am writing about the divorce rate among Police Officers, does an officer think about this when they get married? And are their children treated the same as other children?
Sincerely,
Karen Beltran

With every job or career there is good and bad. I spent my career with good guys who for the most part had my back as I had theirs. The police business is a tough one, you deal with the scum of the earth on a daily basis and see the inhumanity that most people never see and would never understand. The thing that pissed me off the most was watching people who never made a felony arrest or much else for that matter being promoted and than being lead by the hand by the real police (patrolman) at a crime scene because "boss" don't know what to do. With that said I loved my job and would never trade those years as a police officer for anything besides the pension check. It's a great job as long as you realize that the only reason you have a job is because there are bad people out in the world who want to hurt other people and take their stuff. If you can get past the fact that at times it can seem like the most unrewarding job because of the administration, idiot states attorneys or liberal judges and the fact that you ain't gonna save the world everyday. You can have a great career with a good living....Stay Frosty

my exwife was lied about by the police in dayton tn.they put in the report things i didn't even acusse her of.how can they balatly lie like that .if i have to sell everything i have i will sue the rhea county police deparment.it was the rhea county police department.not all police are bad but some of them lie.

police work is hard work, it is funny because i see people who are not into the education thing become police officers and write reports all day, then their are college grads that are police and dont want to write reports

the hardest part of police work is writing reports, it could be 30 minutes till the end of your shift and bam, someone's baby mama got crapped slapped and her vehicle window busted out, now she wants an emergency protective order, and there goes your scheduled end of watch being extended

i think i enjoyed the military much more, no reports, no s-hhhhty hours, police work again is tough, im hanging in there thanks to this economy, i think i would change careers when im able to land something else

Student Needing an Interview in Denver, Colorado said: Any of you former and current Police officer interested in an email interview reguarding your time on the job? I am writing a paper for my English Class, at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood Colorado, on the culture of Police officers. The paper itself is focused on a nuetral discussion of the culture. The interview would be about 7-10 question, but I need honest and complete answers. Any Takers? Would love to hear your stories

Hi,
I am in my 3rd year of Criminal Justice and my research assignment for one of my classes is, the title is: Life and the Stress in Wearing the Badge. If anyone has any coments to help with my research assignment I would be very appreciated.
Karen Beltran

truth in Chicago, Illinois said: I want to know why Officer's from police departments think their shi* does not stink. I had a Snake training Commander while I was in the academy who told me the Chief was going to fire me If I did not qualify. I went back worried as hell that my career was over before it started. I spoke with the Commissioner and explained the situation. The Chief never said that. The Commander advised me that he got a chewing out for that. He turned many officers against me and brought a lot of stress to my job. I suggest anyone who is getting in to Law Enforcement do not trust any piece of shi* in a white shirt. This career is dirty. You want to do the right thing and they will find away to push you out. Become a Lawyer!

i think you are completely dramatic and you you reaally dont know anything about police officers they are out there everyday saving lifes for ignorant people like you and you spit dirt on them. they honestly should be appreciated more than ppl like you.

IT'S ALL ABOUT POLITICS in Farwell, Texas said: U have worked in both Texas and New Mexico. In 17 years and three different departments I found that it is all about departmental politics. Everyone says law enforcement is a stress job...It is but all the stress comes from the politics within the department. I have seen more GOOD officers leave a department and the political trash stay. You cannot tell me that this does not take place in departments all over the United States. I have talked with too many officers from other states during my 17 years to believe that. I was always told to "go with the flow" and I would do well in my career. It's hard to go with the "flow" when you see officers committing acts that would get the normal citizen in trouble. Come on guys, let's be real here.

After you comment, I do not feel so bad after getting a speeding ticket. The State Police supposedly stopped me for going 95 on 55. However, I had my speed cruise between 55 and 60 mph, on a windy and stormy night. He cop said he stopped me because I passed someone. I agree, I passed someone who was doing like 25 on a express lane on Rt 80 going from NJ to New York. Well, I went to court and ask the judge to give me time to get the discovery. I went to NJ State Police Headquarters and they were very rude. They told me, there was no discovery and that if there was I needed an attorney even though I was representing myself. No to mention, the cop did no used radar, according to him he pace me. He was dead wrong, how can you pace someone when I passed you about a mile and a half, and you just had pulled someone? Well to make a long story short, five years of good driving went down the drain. I follow and respect the law, but when you encounter people who just think they are above the law, it makes you think twice?!

What is being a police officer like? I'm not sure whether I should pursue this as a career because my peers say that (and I quote) "Police officers are uneducated and it would be a waste of an education to become one. If you want to become a cop, become a bum, learn to fight, and be a bully to everyone." Are they right or should I just ignore them and become a cop. I want to do an honest job and help those in need and not abuse the position.

Dec 30,2011

Hi Frank,

Hope you made it in the D.E.A with the federal government......

I can understand why you feel the way you do.

Please Google:

Program, Truly Reforming Law Enforcement

Rise In Police Brutality USA TODAY Dec 18, 2007

Jerry Atlansky Oregon State Senate Bill 111 Police Use Of Deadly Physical Force 2007

We would like your feedback......

Future success,

Jerry Atlansky Founder/Chairperson
United States Police/Oregon State Police-
Independent Citizens Review Board
Portland, Oregon 97213
jmatlansky@gmail.com 24/365

Frank Borelli in Washington, District of Columbia said: I'm a retired officer from the East Coast, and I can honestly say that I wish I never became a police officer. I did my best to do good during my career, but the administration kept bringing me down. I think I only made a dent in the world. I never moved mountains like I dreamed I would when I was a kid.

I had always wanted to be a police officer. I watched all the cop shows and movies, read cop books, and even dreamed about being a police officer when I slept at night. I think I just fell in love with the movie version of a cop, not the real version.

Give it some real thought before you sign the dotted line.