Become a Police Officer

Ever since I was a little boy, I always had a liking to police officers (sheriffs/state troopers) and I have some real good friends that are officers as well. I've already planned and decided that I am definately going to be a sheriff first (for Lee County, Alabama) and then move on to state trooper (Alabama or Georgia)

It is something I would really enjoy, and I've always wanted to "protect and serve" and do the right thing, and enjoy it at the same time. I would like to learn (while I can) what courses and places I should go to learn Law Enforcement at its best and be a police officer with a good education. I know you are all gamers..but one of you had to have such a job or similiar to being in law enforcement!

I cannot count the numerous times I have had the local police at my house because my parents were so violent..

Nor imagine how many times my friends got pulled over when we are going hunting in Dawson, GA!

ok i have never had the oppourtunity to say this before so im siezing the moment now..

Police officers are given power, and authority, and responsibility. Only one of those you really need. dont abuse the other two, its stuff like that that makes me HATE cops..

google?pygmahia5

I'd like to know from someone who actually had the opportunity or experience of being in law enforcement..

I'd like to know from someone who actually had the opportunity or experience of being in law enforcement..

StealthKing93

So what did all of your officer friends tell you.

I googled and I think you have to be in shape, being in the military helps, and you take law enforcement and social sciences in college. I'd google it yourself though. I want ta be a cop too.

[QUOTE="pygmahia5"]google?i-like-pie

oooooo...flashing lights...want...police car.

Hmm, You could try getting a BA in police science, I plan on joining the border patrol later in life and it's something that's required to progress at some point ^^ Just look around google. Good luck, the police get a bad rap because of the few morons who abuse their power. I've talked to Police both MPs and civilian police, it's not the best job in the world.

After I graduate HS I'm joining the Marine Corps, while I'm in I'm gonna try to get some college work done via independent study. After that I will finish up and get my BA In police science and join the border patrol for a few years (until I get to 30+), go up to big bear, a small mountain community, and try to become a policeman there :) Hopefully with a wife and maybe a kid or two haha...

Sometimes education is required...or you could be an MP first and get in that way.LJS9502_basic

Well, I don't know.. I've talked to some Marines about it. Let me just copy and paste something someone else said on another forum about the whole MP thing..

I was never an MP.

BUT, I have been a civilian and Federal LEO, and served as a SWAT team member, hostage negotiator, desk sergeant, Detective, Gang Task force member, and Field Training officer, as well as collateral duties as a hiring board member, academy instructor, blahblahblah. You get the general idea that in 20 years I've been around the block so I'm not blowing clovers out me arse.

1: It's a popular misconception that you somehow have to be an MP to go civilian (or federal) law enforcement. Straight up, some agencies see it as a HINDRANCE not a help. MP's are not held to the same standards as civilian police are. Meaning Constitutional standards in many cases. Not that it is there fault, but they work under the UCMJ which allows quite a bit of leeway regarding things that civilian police do not have. Once you have that mentality, it's difficult to break from it and transition to a more restrictive civilian mentality. Some agencies (mostly federal ones) actually prefer MP's since they work off similar rules (I have to know Federal, State, local and UCMJ).

2: MP's these days are doing far more convoy/grunt work than they are traditional law enforcement roles, from what I have seen and heard. A real MP can set you straight on this but MP's are doing far more 'gruntwork' now than ever before. You need to plan for and prepare for that.

3: Prepare to be disliked at an almost rabid level. Unlike the civilian world where you can go 'home' at night to get away from those you police....Marine bases are small communities, and you will NOT be afforded off duty carry privileges of a firearm. Keep that in mind. You check your weapon 'at the door' when you leave for the day. AND yes, civilian law enforcement knows this, so carrying off duty out in town because your military badge happens to say "Police" on it is a sure way to lose your gun, badge and MOS because you'll get locked up.

4: I've hired plenty of military folks who were NOT MP's in their MOS's. In both civilian and federal Law Enforcement. From what I've seen, the MP MOS doesn't make much difference in Federal. In civilian work, I actually preferred to have non MP's as rookies (personal preference) because I didn't have to break them of prior bad habits, and prior 'muscle memory' habits they had learned as MP's. That is not to say MP's make bad civilian cops, but as I mentioned, it's a different mentality. Be aware of that.

I am NOT trying to discourage you, not by any means. But go into this with both eyes wide open. Sgt_leprechaun

ok i have never had the oppourtunity to say this before so im siezing the moment now..

Police officers are given power, and authority, and responsibility. Only one of those you really need. dont abuse the other two, its stuff like that that makes me HATE cops..

uberbra

spot on

I know many police officers who are also great citizens. One is a good friend of mine and we grew up together. From what I have seen and experienced, most police officers do their job really well and have my respect for the job they do.