My wife was telling me about a local kid fresh out of the academy got a job here. He immediately began stalking someone who had supposedly bullied him in school. And actually arrested him. When the COP found out he took the badge and kicked the kid out the door.
From the article:
“Because they’re needed, that’s why. They know this. And they know what would happen if they weren’t out there. And so do you.”
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Join your local departments reserve force program ..... volunteer.
Why do it? The reasons are fewer and fewer. Never mind getting shot—one bad snap decision and you can find yourself behind bars. Cell phone videos, ever-rising numbers of internal investigations and a general disdain for law enforcement by many in the public makes the job undesirable.
I did it, retired, and find it hard to recommend to a young person as a career.
I’ve said for a long time that cops should fine a new line of work.
Listen, I support the police. I’d assist one if he/she were in a struggle with someone....
But, it’s clear: most people don’t like cops. There IS a target on their back. They are increasingly likely to be sued/criminally charged for doing their duty. They don’t make squat for pay. Too many these days are Roid-raging bullies. And finally..... most police officers are now nothing more than local revenue agents.
Sorry, but the smartest cops are the ones looking for a new career path.
I tell everyone that I can not to be a police officer. Me, I am closer to retirement than recruitment so I will try to stick it out as long as I can.
But I don’t think retirement is going to happen like I had hoped.
Look, if you want to become a cop, be a cop in New Jersey in some Podunk small town like Helmetta, where the only criminals you have to deal with are the local politicians. Making a 120K a year writing speeding tickets to people who go 27 in the 25 zone, (which just happens to be every road except main street) is a very good gig if you can get it.
Whatever you do, don’t become a cop in the city, you make way less and you have big giant bulls eye on your back.
I think I have the answer for you. Same answer I got from a Marine Gunny years ago in DaNang Vietnam.
I asked the Gunny: “You’re such a capable guy, why don’t you get out, take a private job and make a lot more money?”
His answer: “Because I think I can make a difference.”
My GF’s kid is in school to become a cop. She is not happy about it at all.
My son is going to Franklin Pierce University in NH for criminal justice and plans to be a cop. I have mixed feelings now of course, I hope this crap settles down. He’s a black belt in Karate and has never smoked or drank alcohol in his life. I honestly don’t know what the hell I did right.