What's it take to be a cop?
What are the requirements for being a cop?
Education, Work history, physical requirements, age limits, etc, etc.
Anything else I may have left out.
Thanks.
And for the cops on these boards. Thank you for all that you do!!!
Education, Work history, physical requirements, age limits, etc, etc.
Anything else I may have left out.
Thanks.
And for the cops on these boards. Thank you for all that you do!!!
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I blind eye, a broke conscience, the ability to look down on all, an ego that must be fed power.
did you want to be a good cop or a bad one?0 -
Must love pastries, especially round ones[8D] 0 -
It all depends one your state. Each state has it's own requirements as to length of academy, college, etc. In Georgia, it's a 10 week academy for starters, covering everything from defensive tactics, criminal law, Constitutional rights, high speed driving and firearms training. You cover alot in a short time, it's not near enough time to spend learning. Another consideration is that each Agency can require it's officers to have military and or college or a certain amount of experience. Contact your local P.D or Sheriff's Dept. and they can tell you more about your state's requirements.
On a personal note, forget holidays, birthdays and weekends. They quickly become just another day. Family time will become very valuable, get it when you can.0 -
got partway through application when I got redeployed. [}:)] first did a really pud physical fitness obstacle course thing then a written test. gonna stick with the army. better toys and chicks dig it. [:D] 0 -
I believe it's patience, the patience to keep from beating the living crap out of people who surely deserve such.
Alas, I could never qualify.0 -
courage 0 -
Oh yeah, I forgot PATIENCE!!! Drunks, wife beaters and child molestors will appreciate that. 0 -
That all depends on the state you are from and the department you wish to work for.
Most states have a POST Board, e.g. Peace (or Police) Officer Standards and Training board. POST generally sets the baseline standards, or requirements, to become certified.
Beyond that, educational requirements are generally set by the individual agency. More agencies are requiring at least a 2 year degree for entry-level than ever before. Many have no educational requirement beyond a H.S. Diploma or GED.
Generally your work history must at least be relatively clean. Problems, discipline, terminations etc are a "red flag" and may or may not have a significant impact on your hiring, depending on what the issue is and the hiring agency's policy.
Baseline physical/medical requirements are generally set and outlined by the states respective POST Board. Individual agencies can be more stringent than POST, but never less so. This applies to all POST rules. The agency can be tougher, but not more lenient.
Age is also a state POST issue, although usually on the minimum side and not the upper. This is due to age discrimination issues for the over 40 crowd.
If you need assistance or information beyond this, send me an email and I can respond with more detail, or give advice.
Good luck.
Jeff0 -
I also want to add that I have no problem with cops, I think they have a thank less job.
I would think, as a cop, you must be prepared and willing to fight or kill a person(s).0 -
Nobody really mentioned you get to work lousy hours, and dedicate much of your time to the lowlifes of society.
Oh and should you become a cop in TEXAS, once a month or so, one lucky winner gets to write me a speeding ticket!0 -
I passed all the exams and checks then got engaged. She said she would not marry a cop.....nuff said..... 0 -
Good recovery there, alltheway![;)] 0 -
be a firefighter. people LIKE firefighters [;)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by wartiger
Good recovery there, alltheway![;)]
No recovery, just having fun[B)]see that, I got a black eye[8D]0 -
The education, work history, physical requirements etc. are varied from agency to agency.
The other part is the ability to listen to a bunch of folks talk about what THEY would do to someone who stomps on a kid, or tosses one out the window of a car turn around and criticize everything that they read in the paper about what some other cop did, and tell what a badass they would be in the same situation, when in reality they would probably just stand there quivering until the poop shakes off their plunger.0 -
That's cool man, just gotta mess with ya!! 0 -
The best cops I know (and I know a lot of them) are the ones who are tired of being cops and just want to be human beings again. It is a thankless job. Having been on the wrong side of things a few times in my life I will say other than one bizarre incident in Florida, I have always been treated with professionalism and respect when interacting with the police. That said, the stress and brutal hours are enough to put anyone over the edge. Especially in a big city. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dcinffxva
The education, work history, physical requirements etc. are varied from agency to agency.
The other part is the ability to listen to a bunch of folks talk about what THEY would do to someone who stomps on a kid, or tosses one out the window of a car turn around and criticize everything that they read in the paper about what some other cop did, and tell what a badass they would be in the same situation, when in reality they would probably just stand there quivering until the poop shakes off their plunger.
Wow, I'm glad I never said what a badass I would be in that situation because I was just imagining an armed conflict situation last night and I had to ask myself: whatever your range skills, do you think you could work that gun in that situation? Or would you be shaking so violently that you couldn't hold it?
Hopefully time won't tell. But nothing will tell if time doesn't.0 -
That is a VERY TRUE statement, choaslodge. When I graduated the police academy, I was 10 feet tall, bullet-proof, and by God, I was the LAW. 13 years later, all I want to do is do my job, help people when they let me, and go home to my wife and little boy. The way I look at it is this: First, I go home, Second, my partners go home, and Third, treat people with respect, being as nice to them as they will let me. All that happens, the rest is gravy. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by chaoslodge
The best cops I know (and I know a lot of them) are the ones who are tired of being cops and just want to be human beings again. It is a thankless job. Having been on the wrong side of things a few times in my life I will say other than one bizarre incident in Florida, I have always been treated with professionalism and respect when interacting with the police. That said, the stress and brutal hours are enough to put anyone over the edge. Especially in a big city.
Now who on this board wouldn't want to hear about that bizarre incident in FLA? With the understanding, of course, that it was the exceptional case, the one time you saw something not quite professional in the behavior of an officer of the law.
Just so we're clear: I can think of one interaction I've had where I could categorize the cop as a dink (me: "do you know the time?", him, looking at his watch: "yes, I do," as he walked away from me). Otherwise I think it's fair to say that every cop I've dealt with has behaved entirely professionally....even the one who arrested me when I really did need arresting.0 -
In Wisconsin, all you have to do is have a H.S. diploma and pass a registered Police Academy, but it helps in the hiring process if you have at least an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Zulu7
In Wisconsin, all you have to do is have a H.S. diploma and pass a registered Police Academy, but it helps in the hiring process if you have at least an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement.
Same in Illinois, only everyone else wants to be a "cop" 2 so you better have some credentials or it also helps if you got some pull if you know what I mean[;)]0 -
Where I live the mayor thinks that a couple of felonies shouldn't stop you from being a cop (but only if you are a minority).[xx(][:(!][xx(] 0 -
Hey Zulu, if I was just driving though Wiz consin for some reason and you saw me with Illinois tags would you pull me over for no reason like the rest of the cops do up there? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
quote:Originally posted by dcinffxva
The education, work history, physical requirements etc. are varied from agency to agency.
The other part is the ability to listen to a bunch of folks talk about what THEY would do to someone who stomps on a kid, or tosses one out the window of a car turn around and criticize everything that they read in the paper about what some other cop did, and tell what a badass they would be in the same situation, when in reality they would probably just stand there quivering until the poop shakes off their plunger.
Wow, I'm glad I never said what a badass I would be in that situation because I was just imagining an armed conflict situation last night and I had to ask myself: whatever your range skills, do you think you could work that gun in that situation? Or would you be shaking so violently that you couldn't hold it?
Hopefully time won't tell. But nothing will tell if time doesn't.
Was just doing a little venting there....certainly not aimed at you.
As far as dealing with the armed encounters, the first time I was in one, about three years into my career, I was calm, cool and collected during it. It was AFTER that all that andrenaline rushed, and I got the "holy crap, that was close" effect.
After the first one, the adrenaline rush isn't anywhere near as much. I had a guy pull a knife on me not long ago, and just told him in a conversational tone "drop that knife before I shoot your dumb ass". He dropped it, and after locking him up, there was absolutely no adrenaline rush at all. It was more thinking about the guy, and what an idiot he was for risking his life over a stupid situation.
I realized how much this type of work changes a person quite a few years ago when I was dealing with a suicide attempt one night, and the guy had left a blood trail about 30 feet long, along with pieces of flesh that he had gouged out of himself. After rescue had scooped the guy up, I was taking pictures of the scene thinking to myself "damn, my dinner is getting cold".
I totally agree with your statement that hopefully time won't tell, but in my experience, if you train yourself to react a certain way, you usually will react that way when the situation presents itself.
Ok....done with the venting....be safe [:)]0 -
Cutiegirl...are you thinking of being a police officer. You have a great attitude and physically I think you are in better shape than most of the officers I know (being who I am, I know a LOT of officers.) I think you will do well at just about anything you want to try with your wonderful attitude and "go get em" style.
But.....
Most of the officers I know aren't happy with their jobs. It seems to me that the officers with more of a political attitude do better and advance higher. Certain areas pay a LOT better. Homewood is an area near Birmingham where the problems are shoplifters...teens being teens and a little sprinkle of other crimes. The officers in Homewood are paid nearly TWICE what the Birmingham officers are paid. The Birmingham officers have to deal with MAJOR crime every day. Its just not fair how the scale of pay is here.
Women officers have to deal with some pretty rotten crap also. A 6'2" male that is all worked up from fighting with his wife is a LOT less likely to listen to a female officer than a male. I've heard it over and over again.....a man wouldn't give a MALE officer any hard time at all...but let a woman show up and its like you dared the rotten criminal to try something. My daughter has said she wants to be a police officer and it worries me to death.
I'd make a horrible police officer.... I can just see it. Mrs. McKay, why did you shoot THIS time?0 -
ride tall, shoot straight, and speak the truth 0 -
Locust Fork, you mentioned Homewood, just outside B'ham. I've got a friend who works for Hoover, AL. and the pay for that Dept. is among the highest in the coutry from what I understand. I guess the pay is directly proportionate to the income of it's citizens, huh? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by pitbud5
Hey Zulu, if I was just driving though Wiz consin for some reason and you saw me with Illinois tags would you pull me over for no reason like the rest of the cops do up there?
I'd keep an eye on you, but I wouldn't pull you over unless I saw some blatant traffic law infringement. Don't feel bad, though...I'd do the same for people from Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan.0 -
quote:Originally posted by wartiger
That is a VERY TRUE statement, choaslodge. When I graduated the police academy, I was 10 feet tall, bullet-proof, and by God, I was the LAW. 13 years later, all I want to do is do my job, help people when they let me, and go home to my wife and little boy. The way I look at it is this: First, I go home, Second, my partners go home, and Third, treat people with respect, being as nice to them as they will let me. All that happens, the rest is gravy.
I could'nt agree more with your statement. We are the overworked, underpaid highly hated. However when it comes right down to it, if we dont stand on the "Thin Blue Line" who else will. Helping people and putting the bad guy away is the mission, but going home to my family and making sure my buddies do the same is PRIORITY ONE!!!
As far as being a Fire Fighter, They are a bunch of brave SOB'S for doing what they do, but their HEROS are COP's[8D]0
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