Questions for the LEO's

[txlawdog]

badge may get you a lot of "bunnies" but one "bunny" can get your badge, and your marriage!!! first lesson taught in the police academy!!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^that, well said....

Beware the holster sniffers..............in addition to the other reply I made.

[Gixxer]

A good side to being an officer is that you're doing something good for the community. Though, you are putting your life on the line every day. You never know what's going to happen from one moment to the next.

As an aside to that, a lot of people aren't very fond of police officers, but that's probably because of past experiences with them.

[doug]

There's a lot of things I would change if I could about the last 25 years of wearing a uniform, most of it having to do with women. Most officers I know have been divorced at least once, including myself. There are the exceptions though and I applaud them! If you go into it with a good mindset, wife, and marriage it could be a great move for you. If not you could have some troubles. I didn't at 21 and made many many mistakes over the years and paid the price. I just thank God now that finally I saw the "light" and I was able to keep the woman I love and my family! I have seen so many brother officers end up divorced, fired, and even indicted because of women!

My advice would be to talk to the wife and family about the pros and cons and make a decision together. If its a yes then go for it. Just stay connected with her regardless of the shift and days off. Better ones will come in time.

And one last thing... NEVER EVER WORK THE CLUBS AS AN EXTRA JOB!!! Good luck!

[chongo]

First I want to thank Chew for answering a bunch of questions for me - it was good talking to you and I appreciate you taking the time out of your day.
-Still praying for you also.

Second, I appreciate all the responses - I know I have a strong marriage, we had some very difficult times when we were dating due to deployments etc. but we worked through it and in regards to cheating its not a concern for me, if you can't keep it in your pants then you are no better than a dog running around with his red rocket sticking out.

My biggest/main concern is still having the quality family time with my wife, son and daughter (on the way).

When talking to chew he made the comment "they don't put your checking account balance on your tombstone and you can do good things and really help people" - probably not a direct quote but close to it.

That is what I am looking for, in Iraq I felt that I was accomplishing something, doing good and helping people. It's hard to feel that satisfaction sitting behind a desk 8 or 9 hours a day.

The academy at the community college is only 1000 and I will get paid through the GI Bill (last I checked) so financially it is not a concern but I wonder if I am smack dab in the middle of the academy and the PD's I would like to hire on with start hiring how that would work out, if I would end up hurting myself by already being in an academy?

Thanks again for all the responses.

[Bullydog]

Chongo,

I don think you could ever "hurt" your chances of getting hired on somewhere because you were already in the academy.

Just from your posts on here, and from meeting you at an HH on time, I would suspect you would be a strong candidate for any department looking to hire.

Your military background is a huge plus at civil service departments (you get points on the test), and your life/military experience will put you leaps and bounds ahead of the 20-22 year old group who are just looking for a job, are not married and dont have the responsiblilty and stability of raising a family like you do.

There is nothing wrong with putting yourself through an academy, just be prepared to pull out if an agency hires you and wants to send you to their academy.

The three cities you listed would send you to CCCC or Regional anyway, so being in the Academy would most likely be a bonus to them while going through the process.

The best piece of advice I can give you is this....Put your eggs in one or two baskets, and dont be the guy who has 12 applications going at once in every city in the metroplex. Pick a department, learn about the department,the cities history and be prepared to talk about what you know during any inteview.

I know several folks in the 3 departments you listed. I will give you an order I think is pretty solid based on several factors. (Future Growth and opportunity to move within the department, City financial strength and projections, and departmental satisfaction with the current administration in each department)

Number 1 - MCKINNEY PD

Number 2 - FRISCO PD

Im not gonna list the 3rd one if you catch my drift

[tvc184]

..................... but I wonder if I am smack dab in the middle of the academy and the PD's I would like to hire on with start hiring how that would work out, if I would end up hurting myself by already being in an academy?

Thanks again for all the responses.

I don't see how being in the academy can hurt as all it does is show the degree to which you will go to being an officer by putting yourself through.

Larger agencies have their own academies and may want you to quit your current academy and go through theirs. Others that have their own academy will allow you to go through an abbreviated academy if you have already graduated from one. If so, such an agency might hire you while you are in the current academy and put you to work once you graduate or simply hire you after your graduation.

Most agencies are mid-size to smaller and they do not have their own academy and rely on regional academies. I work for a 130 officer department and if we hire someone in the regional academy (and do quite often), we will give them a conditional hiring date with the graduation being part of the condition.

Like I said earlier, it all depends on the hiring practices of where you apply. Each have their own way of doing things and they can be completely different. Of course there are standard steps like background check, probably some kind of written exam (civil service or non-civil service), drug screen, polygraph, physical, interview(s), etc. How they use that information or under what rules they hire under is set by that agency.

[CrookedArrow]

You have seen things that the average "Joe" hasn't/won't, being in the military. LEO is about the same. Not sure if your so called born to be a cop, or one can just do it. My 11th yr, and I am alive and well to the good Lord above. The motto of "getting home to your family safely" goes a long way. I have lost 3 great friends in one shooting incident about 4 yrs ago. Lost 2 others too suicides. Lost more then I can count to divorces.

You make what you want out of it, and the ball is in your court. If you think it is macho and Ok to have women on the side, more power to you. Then again if you play that game did you really ever have a honest great relationship with your spouse? I have been married to my wife for 21 yrs, so yeah you can make it work. Patrol has a mind of its own, with wierd hrs, rotating days etc. My wife basically was mom and dad to both our girls, and continues to be at times. I missed alot of birthdays, holidays, school functions etc.

Being a cop changes your out look on life and humanity, both in a positive and negative way. At time you distance yourself and that can really suck. My spare time goes to my family and my other love, hunting. A hobby is a must imo, to ease the brain of matters at work. Best of luck to you and not knowing your believes/religion aspect, prayers and wish you the best.

[CrookedArrow]

chongo quote
That is what I am looking for, in Iraq I felt that I was accomplishing something, doing good and helping people. It's hard to feel that satisfaction sitting behind a desk 8 or 9 hours a day.

Police work isn't like it use to be, where you got a pat on the back, people waved at ya. Now it's more like cursing you out, shooting you the finger etc. Alot we as a whole we have brought on ourselves, but, I think we still strive to do the right thing. It's the bad apples that tarnish the Badge. It's a numbers game. We loose 3 we gain 3. We have 3 shot and killed and a memorial is erected, but slowly forgot. The ones who stick with you through thick and thin is your spouse and kids, imo. Remember this, you don't work for one chief, 2 deputy chiefs, captains etc. You work for EVERY citizen in that community, and a bunch of times those other supervisors can make or break your career.

[LuBowhunter]

Ive been a LEO since 08 I enjoy my job, and hate my days off Tues-Thurs. Thats the only thing that makes my realationship hard but she understands and keeps saying she knows one day my schedule will get better. Like most of the other guys said as long as you have a good understanding wife and keep your wits about you in terms of other women youll be fine.