Hey, Dune...

I have a question to add.
Would it be illegal for a cop to let some teenagers out of a ticket if you caught them with weed? Can an officer use his discretion and just tell them to go home, or is that a no-no?

PM HIM NEWB!

I have no personal LE experience, but several of my friends are cops and I have been interviewed several times as a reference.

I can't speak to other requirements, but it does seem quite clear that mental stability is a big deal.  They will look long and hard for signs of nutballery.  A history of not being a hothead is good.  A history of drugs is bad.  A history of excessive partying is bad.  A history of staying out of trouble and showing good judgment is good.

From all I gather, LE can be a very rewarding profession (except in the wallet department), and you could certainly do much worse.  Good luck with your deliberations.

Thanks for the info. From what my mom reported to me from the visiting cop, he rakes in about $45k a year (starting? I dunno), which isn't all too impressive. But I've never had dreams of living rich (as long as I can afford 2 things: a 2000 Viper and parts for my Buick), and I think I can live comfortably.

I don't drink, I haven't done drugs, and I don't "party," so if mental stability is required, I'm good to go there! :) And it may give me a chance to actually include the phrase, "Eagle Scout" on a resume'.



Edited by DeTrevni - 20 February 2008 at 5:43pm

I am also considering a career in law enforcement.

Rambino wrote: They will look long and hard for signs of nutballery.

Hint hint... ditch any internet records of the firearms poses with the funny faces.



Edited to add:
And good luck to you should you decide to follow this career path. I've always had an itch to be an LEO. I even chose my colleges out of high school based on whether or not they offered Engineering AND Criminal Justice (of which I ended up doing neither).
My parents also thought I would've done well as an LEO, even my wife stated early on when I was looking for a "path" that she could see me in those shoes.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle I just couldn't overcome was the mental image of myself that I was just too damn small.
Yeah, I've seen smaller LEOs out there... but the thought of me being easily overpowered by ANY of my friends, all of which (at the time) were 6-8" in height advantage and 50-100lbs on me (I've since met friends who don't tower over me as much )... had me continuously put it out of my mind.
Mentally... I'd like to think I could have handled the job. Physically... I never thought I'd be able to.

Edited by ShortyBP - 20 February 2008 at 6:36pm

What makes a good Cop? Well DUH revenge

have the local trendy bad guys kill either;

• Wife
• Partner who is on his last day before retirement
• Old Vietnam War Buddy
• Dog

Then it's time for this!

Currently I'm a forensic chemistry major and I take a couple classes with the Criminal Justice students and these classes are all taught by former cops who have retired (boy do they have a bag of stories).  Some of which were the Chief of Police in their respective city. 

From these stories I have gathered a few things, a certain level of physical shape seems to be required, and above all a clear head/the ability to think clearly under pressure. 

Also, in my neck of the woods atleast, potential cops are given a polygraph test before getting a job.  They ask questions about previous drug use and all kinds of stuff.

You get to carry guns at work, its perfect for you!

I've accually heard its relatively easy to be a cop...

Ah. Well, should I go this route, it's something to hope for. Just trying to get information for now.