I've been a cop in a rural MI county for 7 years. I had an interest in police work that surfaced occasionally enough that I decided that I would try it so at the least I would never have to wonder about it again. I ended up liking it and will probably retire from it-although I sometimes wonder why I do it.
The pay here isn't anything special but pays the bills; it's probably above average wage here. The benefits are decent. Once one gets time/seniority cop jobs are USUALLY secure and steady.
I only have an associate degree in CJ. Many Depts. now require a bachelors degree. This, however, doesn't have to be in CJ. I would study something else if I went for more schooling. That would enable me to get into something else if something happened where I couldn't do this any more. (CJ degrees are largely useless after that)
The best thing with my job is I am pretty much my own boss. I have no command Officers on my night shift so I do what I want, when I want. This area is small enough that there is enough down time between complaints to allow for investigations or traffic work. We do all our own crime scenes (evidence) and follow-up investigating. Traffic is a filler during routine patrols.
Police work has variety and can be challenging. Investigations are fun. They're fun because they're challenging. They're challenging because every p.o.s. you deal with lies and "didn't do nothin' wrong". It's up to you to secure facts to prove the truth (you already know). There's a tremendous amount of legal crap to know so you can make quick, proper, decisions.
As others pointed out, you need to have thick skin-this can be developed with time. Look how otherwise decent people here cry about tickets they have gotten. (whether with good reason or not) Now imagine how a p.o.s. cries about what the POlice do to him ("for no reason"). You'll learn to laugh complaining off and even welcome it.
Is it rewarding? My area is largely anti-cop [it had the highest per-capita alcohol consumption of anywhere in the nation for 2 years, widespread drug use, high unemployment, a casino(lots of fraud)-you get the picture.] It can be rewarding but you need to find your own rewards. Don't expect a pat on the back. If you want to be loved, be a fireman. [If you're thinking about that, talk to one-their job is a LOT more than spraying water] Policework isn't about leading a lost kid home by the hand. It's about seeing people at their worst, seeing into their private heII.
You'll have to remember that you only deal with a few percent of the people, over and over. Most people only encounter police through simple traffic stops or traffic crashes. MANY people have NEVER had contact with the police. They are the ones to remember that you serve. COPS (the TV show), as much as I laugh when I (rarely) see it, will actually give you an idea what to expect. Policework is largely the same across the country, same loser, same trailer park, etc., no matter how large or small the city. Smaller towns don't, however, have the quantity of violent crime, although small cities (under 10,000 pop.) led the listing for officers killed in the last 10 years. Large cities(over 250,000 pop.)close behind. I hope I'm not sounding too negative as you will meet lots of good people you wouldn't otherwise have contact with and occasionally can have a profound, positive effect on someone's life (makes it worthwhile.)
Bottom line here, benefit:freedom. Down side: lots off as5holes.
I'll quit b4 this gets too long but can answer questions you (or anyone) have. I might even respond to ticket talk if I get time-since I have been on the receiving end of this job many times in the past.
what the hell!? besides, theres too many of em now, esp. round here. Theyre supposed to protect the public, not bust people for stupid stuff to fill their quotas. Hope this starts major flames!!!
