Is police work enjoyable I am thinking about joining the PA State police and I am just curious?
346450
It is enjoyable and rewarding. I have enclosed the following excerpt that we (police/military) have passed along, maybe it will help.\n\nON SHEEP, WOLVES, AND SHEEPDOGS\nBy LTC(RET) Dave Grossman, RANGER, Ph.D.,author of "On\nKilling."\n\nHonor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself. The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for? \n- William J. Bennett - in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24, 1997\n\nOne Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to me: \n"Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident." This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another.\n\nSome estimates say that two million Americans are victims of violent crimes every year, a tragic, staggering number, perhaps an all-time record rate of violent crime. But there are almost 300 million Americans, which means that the odds of being a victim of violent crime is considerably less than one in a hundred on any given year. Furthermore, since many violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders, the actual number of violent citizens is considerably less than two million.\n\nThus there is a paradox, and we must grasp both ends of the situation:\nWe may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.\n\nI mean nothing negative by calling them sheep. To me it is like the pretty, blue robin's egg. Inside it is soft and gooey but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue shell. Police officers, soldiers, and other warriors are like that shell, and someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful. For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the predators.\n\n"Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds.\nThe moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.\n\n"Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf." \n\nIf you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed Let me expand on this old soldier's excellent model of the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids' schools.\n\nBut many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in the
1048220
Yes, I would be happy with what Ive done in my life so far.I'm raising 4 kids, going to college to be a nurse, working as a paramedic, and trying to be there for family and friends. So life is good for me. Helping people is something I love to do.
115514
I'm not a 911 operator right now, but I'm in training to be one.  From what I've heard and seen the stress levels are based on what area you're in, what specific industry you're in (some places have operations for all EMS, Police, and Fire all together, other places divide them up), and how you react to different situations.  If you're in a highly populated area then clearly it's going to be more stressful than if you're in a smaller area.
83221
If you have to ask if it's scary, then you're not ready. I'm a former police officer and fear is a factor but not something you really think about. Fear makes us careful and alert. If we stopped and thought about it, we couldn't do our jobs. It's part of a dangerous job and when you put on that uniform, you know that you may not be coming back home again, when you leave your house. If you treat people with respect from the beginning yet stand firm on what you need to enforce as an officer, you'll do fine. Just remember that the people you are dealing with are human beings and none of us have the right to abuse or belittle them. Now, when I was on the streets I treated everyone equally and with respect but if they pushed my bitc^ buttons, I could go there too. If I had to be tough I was, but most situations are purely handled with people skills and a firm but fair hand. You want to protect America's borders, do it with pride, honesty and integrity. Your place is to enforce the law not to become judge, jury and executioner. You judge only enough to asses a situation and make an arrest or take other authoritive action. I will face down anyone, even to this day, but I have always kept in mind that the person I faced is someone's son or daughter, brother or sister and one of God's children. However, it would not have kept me from shooting them if I had justifiable cause (thank God I didn't have to in all those years, but came very close a few times). You must be able to face your fear and put it behind you at the same time, and never turn your back on a fellow officer or someone that needs your help. You can die out there. If you can't face that, Sweety, don't even think about joining the force. God be with you if you do. Good luck.
813983
How much they make depends on which police department they work for and what they do.  \nFor a idea of what it is like, call your local police department and ask about riding along with an officer.  \nI know that at times it can be emotional gratification to be able to help protect people.  \nIf you are thinking about becoming a police officer, then you need to think about it long and hard.  It is a job with long hours.  People who one moment are glad you are then and the next moment are mad at you.  \nAlso be aware of the emotional toll it will take on you and your family.  It can be very stressful job and stressful on your family.
354576
I can't speak for anyone else.  I have entered a career in criminal Justice for the 2nd time.  I have enjoyed the interaction with people and making my community a better place to live.
29229
Go and punch out drug dealers. It's a great stress reliever and its fun. Also,it makes me feel as though I'm helping make the streets safer for everyone.
339583
In Pennsylvania (states are different) we can do anything a policeman can do except arrest on sight - arrest takes a private criminal complaint to be filed with the local district justice, and reviewed for legality by the DA in the county sought. Actually, the PI has a broader scope than a policeman, who can only work in his political subdivision - PI's can work country-wide with their license.
712102
Khanum, I was just checking your other Qs and found you repeated this one a few more times. Hope you get the job and then one day become instructor of the 'Police Cadet program' and teach them to behave! (LOL)\n\nWith your impeccable academic record, why not keep on pursuing higher education in Law and go for practice. The cop’s job would suit mediocre, I suppose.\n\nHappy Learning!
801543
It's not a crime to say you enjoy working with money.  I would say you want to work there because you see it as great opportunity to work hands on with something that you are really interested in.
1087659
Hey brother, I'm a cop here in NYC and I know what you're saying. I know sometimes people hate us cuz they feel we abuse our power ( and some of us do - but they eventually get theirs in the end ) but if they experianced what we go through on a daily basis, they'd understand. Not that I'm complaining about the job ( there is no perfect job ), I enjoy helping people and all, but some of you will never, ever believe what we go through. It's gets to be overwhelming and after a while you become numb. But it's a job none the less...a tough job but a job regardless and I never bring anything home or visa-versa. You can't.You'll never survive 20 years if you do. You have to leave it all behind and take the crap the public gives you.Smile and say "Have a nice day."
536704
I am a police officer.\nIt depends on what you are doing it for.\nA major con is that the majority of the people don't like you, you run the risk of being shot at or killed on a daily basis and you will get lied to about something EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!\nYou will start to look at the world and everyone differently. Everyone becomes a liar to you. You start to believe that no one is telling the complete truth and that becomes your reality.\nNow if you are joining to help people. That can also become hazardous because you have to remember. We only get called after the sh*t has hit the fan and by the time we get there, it's usually too late.\nSo a lot of times, you won't be able to save someone, only be able to look for/catch the bad guy. A lot of officers are depresed and become alcoholics because they let the job affect them.\nIf you are in it just for the money (depending on what state you are in), then you might be ok, but then you aren't really going to be one of the "good" officers that do your job properly.\nYou have to remember to be safe and remember that no matter what, YOU need to go home at the end of the night to your girlfriend and child when you have one.\nKeep thinking about it and if you have any more questions, contact me.\nBy the way...I make waaay more than $30,000 a year.\nOh and SWAT officers get the same pay as the rest of us...They just have more training and have to put their lives in more danger than we do.
961054
Hypothetically, he may run your plates and harass you, pull you over, do vehicle checks, breath tests or even have a chat to you on your doorstep about the incident.  But more than likely he will do nothing because of a few reasons.\nA- No cop mates to act as "convenient" witnesses to whatever you did\nB- Police are professionals, and unless you assaulted him or someone else etc etc, he is "off duty".\nC- No offence, because I understand your hypothetical position, and it was a great question ( i do mean that) but police get given daily jobs/assignments, and probably have bigger fish to fry.\n\nGood Luck " )
640660
Well since you did not give us any facts to go look at other then your opinion I don't see how that qualifies for much. Sounds to me like you are attempting to speak for the whole world when you say, "The police show up in force using Gestapo tactics scaring the crap out of most people.... This cant be good.". \nOnce again simply your opinion.\nWhy would society have an innate fear of law enforcement. Some people and it sounds to me like you are one of them are easily intimidated by law enforcement personnel and if so I suppose that might scare you but the general public is not.\nLess then one percent of Police Officers Nation wide are corrupt. That leaves 99 percent that are not. if police show up in force perhaps there is a reason for it or an Officer Safety concern. i assure you however Police do not always show up in force. On a barking dog call you will be lucky to get one respond to such a trivial matter but yet the public demands it. they want the dog quiet and the police become the SPCA in that case. When a child runs away from home the police do not storm the child's residence and use Gestapo tactics on the family, so once again you are wrong with your generalized statement. When someone's car gets taken in the middle of the night and the Police respond and take a report and enter the vehicle into NCIC so it might be recovered for you they don't storm your residence. When it turns out that you didn't pay your car payment and your vehicle was actually repossessed instead of stolen they do not issue you a citation for stupidity although I am sure some would like to.\nWhen a child drowns in a swimming pool and a Police Officer is the first on the scene and jumps in and drags the child out while the mother screams in panic because she does not know what to do for them and never took a course in first aid or CPR and the Officer revives the child and all live happily ever after, and yes, that time the Officer did storm the place like Gestapo to help the child with out stopping to remove the 125 pounds of body armor and boots and gun and belt and now a department radio he has to pay to get fixed but just dove in without concern for his/her own safety \nPolice Officers do a lot more then what you seem to think. But heck maybe we don't need them. Here is an idea maybe you will do all the things for us they do and what would be better is if you would do it for free.
534345
Try contacting the PA State Police Recruitment Section or their website to find out requirements.
219559
i dont know where you want to proceed in your career after you get your degree,but ive got a lot of friends in the army,the national guard,and other branchs as well that got their training in the millitary and love every sec of it.I mean they get to travel the world, or stay close to home like the national guard or reserves.Plus once you get out the millitary you have one of the highest recomemdations of all.Right now you may think im a recuriter or something ,but in fact im not im a regular soldier in the national guard.My mos is millitary police.Currently im a security guard,ive already been accepted for the police dept but choose not to take the job until i turn 21.i stay close to home(20 min)and im very happy with the way i got my job and training.
846346
You should be over age 21, no record of domestic violence, no felonies, clean driving record, no assault convicitons. Have good eyesight and hearing. Ability to run, climb, etc. Weight in proportion to height. No psychiatric illness. Decent credit record. You can take criminal justice courses at college. You can contact the academy in the state you want to work in and ask about putting yourself through pre-service program (pay your own way to become POST certified). Being POST certified makes you a better hiring candidate.  Starting out as a dispatcher can be good (you'll become certified for that too). Dispatching isn't easy though, so don't think of it as "the bottom:".  It's high stress and you MUST be able to multi-task to a high degree. Otherwise you need to be able to keep your cool, handle stress and confrontation, deal with mess (dead bodies, feces, vomit, all that fun stuff) and have good common sense. POST stands for Peace Officers Standards and Training. There should be a POST in your state.  If you want to work and train in another state go to their POST website and academy website.  There are also pre-service programs for dispatchers.