Having second thoughts..

[FutureLE]

I have my oral board interview at the end of this month with a county that is one of my first choices. Problem is, I am starting to have second thoughts about going into LE. Mainly, the fact that I could miss holidays, my sons birthday and other family events, compared to other jobs where they are closed on holidays.. The only other profession I would consider is being a teacher, but that doesnt excite me like police work.

I am stuck in a bind, I dont want to drop out of the application process and the regret it, but I hate to continue it, if I am not 100% sure..

This is the only thing that is making me have second thoughts... Any suggestions or ideas??

Thanks

[BrickCop]

Only you can make that decision.

You're right about the schedule...be prepared to work weekends, holidays, overnights, double shifts, etc.

If you're willing to do that you'll eventually settle into a routine where working on a Saturday will be like working a Monday...only it will be much busier (from a LE standpoint). Most PD's up my way allow you to shift bid according to seniority so you may get the shift you desire after a few years on the job.

Sure you have to make schedule scarifices but that does not mean you cannot enjoy your family. It takes an adjustment but I know PLENTY of happy cops with great home lifes.

[sotzo]

It wont hurt to go through the process, you dont have to take the job if they offer it.

[Airforcop]

I had the same thoughts for a short period of time. But after doing 9 1/2 years in the military, just being in the same country as my family on holidays, birthdays, etc... would be a vast improvement, hahaha.

[tanikir]

You need to take a hard look at what is most important in your life. I was working towards a career in law enforcement when I had similar thoughts. During this period of time an officer was shot and killed while making a traffic stop. The two problems together made me rule out law enforcement. I decided that while I could handle it, I could never ask my family to go through everything. I switched to a career in business. I loved what I was doing, but there was a hole in my life. I went on a few ride-alongs with officers I was friends with and I knew what was missing. Now I am finishing my degree and working towards LE. It is my passion in life. My soon to be wife is very supportive. Although she doesn't like the risks and schedule, she knows it's what I need to do.

[acreature]

If you're having second thoughts now, get out, b/c you won't last long once you get in.

Just from first hand observation of others that come and go all of the time.

[Bodie]

Excites You ???
That is the worst excuse I have heard in 25 years for wanting to be a police officer.
You will miss almost all holidays, work weekends, nights and even third shift.
You will mis 95% of your childs life. You will be out in all kinds of bad weather and you will come in contact with some very ill people that could make you sick or you could carry home to your family.

Still Excited ?????

You could get seriously hurt or killed and your attitude and temerment will change and your family will seem dstant from you. Many of your current friends will no longer be around.

You have given one of the worst reason sto be a cop. Go be a teacher and be home evenings and weekends and have the summer off. And retire
healthy.

Still interested in being a cop because it excites you ?
Become a sepecial deputy and put in 16 hours a month that should be enough excitement for you.

My dad missed a lot of our lives as we grew up. I missed a lot of my child's life almost the entire first 8 years and that is precious time I can't get back.

[pumpkin]

Because of my dad's schedule, when I was a kid, I think we had more holidays at weird times of "the day," or on a different day than the "normal" or "right" day.

Ditto as an adult because of both my husband and my schedules (we were on different continents for our first anniversary).

None of this was due to anyone being in law enforcement at the time. There are a lot of jobs/professions that have weird/less-than-desirable schedules (fire fighter, EMT, doctor, nurse, midwife, taxi driver, subway driver, soldier/sailor/Marine/airman, musician, undertaker, florist, waiter, chef, 7-11 clerk, fast-food worker, doorman, garbage collector, bus driver, truck driver, snow plow operator, electrician, plumber, janitor, geologist, lab technician, disc jockey, 2nd/3rd shift factory worker, bill collector, bail bondsman, judge, pastor, missionary, soup kitchen/shelter worker/volunteer, dispatcher, police officer, etc.), but with a little creativity and a sense of humor, everything works out OK.

If nothing else, it might help your kids understand the importance of family and the various holidays, not for the day/commercialism, but for what they're really all about.

Sometimes, celebrating a major holiday on a different day means that the family members of whoever-has-the-weird-schedule can volunteer to help at a soup kitchen, crisis hotline, women's shelter, emergency room, orphanage, run-away shelter, nursing home, etc. on the holdays when they get very busy or the residents become extra lonely.

[nadster011]

another DQ

well i got another letter stating i would not be moving on to the background process.. i live in Indiana, im ilea certified reserve for large dept in indiana. completed 470 hr training academy just to be a reserve. im 25..possess a a.s. degree in law enforcement and have been a reserve for about 3years.. i am currently 0/6 when it comes to trying to get on somewhere full time. this latest i scored 94 on the written. did the interview. they stated they would combine the written and oral scores and top ten move on..interview was ok but i did not think it was that bad. im not big into bragging about myself when it comes to the interviews. my dream since i was young was to be a police officer, yet it seems someone up above has other ideas...is this even worth it to keep being let down...ive got a interview tomorrow, and another on monday but starting to think what in the hells the point.....should i start looking for another profession???

[Bodie]

nadster .... Look at how you wrote the entry here. Do you talk the way you write ? Maybe you don't interview well. How about apperance ? Are you overweight, or small ?
Many things combine to get you cut out of the hiring process but since you are 0/6 it's time you had a confidential evaluation done by a professional that actually has some input in a hiring process.

The Ohio Association of Chiefs Of Police may be able to line up somebody you can send resume , photos and talk to. 0/6 ? It's time to get some help.

[Scouts Out]

I had the same thoughts for a short period of time. But after doing 9 1/2 years in the military, just being in the same country as my family on holidays, birthdays, etc... would be a vast improvement, hahaha.

LOL No Sh.. I just came off duty and went back to waiting tables. So I work all nights, doubles on the weekends etc. Weekends to me are whatever my nights off are

BUt yeah, I definately here you as far as being CONUS. '500 mile drive to see some girl for an hour? No prob'

[nadster011]

bodie

speak the way I write?? did not know i was being evaluated for my grammar on a website. Anyways, I know its not my appearance, not apperance, like you stated. just looking for some suggestions...

[jnojr]

well i got another letter stating i would not be moving on to the background process.. i am currently 0/6 when it comes to trying to get on somewhere full time. this latest i scored 94 on the written. did the interview. they stated they would combine the written and oral scores and top ten move on..interview was ok but i did not think it was that bad. im not big into bragging about myself when it comes to the interviews.

If you're serious about getting into LE, you need to fix the interview problems. Get a video camera and have a friend interview you. tape yourself, and watch it. It'll probably be tough, but things you never knew you were doing / not doing will glare like a supernova

You might also benefit from something like Toastmasters or some sort of speech class that requires participation in front of an audience. When I've had positions where I've interviewed people, what usually kills them isn't lack of knowledge, it's how the present themselves... someone who slouches, mumbles, keeps waving their hands around, avoids eye contact, sits like a robot, etc. is going to leave a poor impression. If you come across as very put-together, personable, professional, etc. then one or two "bad answers" doesn't weigh nearly as much.

Remember, a lot of LE is dealing with people. And usually in stressful situations. If you fall apart in an interview, how well are you going to do when surrounded by angry, drunk, methed-out bikers?

[FutureLE]

Okay WTF?? Yes the idea of doing police work "excites" me.. Maybe you dont understand what I mean by that.. I mean its my passion and something I look at and say I would love to do that.. So yes it excites me.. Sorry if you dont get it.. I think your overreacting just a tad..

BTW--I know what police work involves, My grandfather was a PO. LIke I stated before.. I was only having second thoughts in the fact that I could miss holidays, birthdays, etc.. and I was just looking for some people who dealt with the same feelings

You sound like you hate your job..listing all the negatives, maybe you should think of another profession

Thanks for the helpful responses..

Excites You ???
That is the worst excuse I have heard in 25 years for wanting to be a police officer.
You will miss almost all holidays, work weekends, nights and even third shift.
You will mis 95% of your childs life. You will be out in all kinds of bad weather and you will come in contact with some very ill people that could make you sick or you could carry home to your family.

Still Excited ?????

You could get seriously hurt or killed and your attitude and temerment will change and your family will seem dstant from you. Many of your current friends will no longer be around.

You have given one of the worst reason sto be a cop. Go be a teacher and be home evenings and weekends and have the summer off. And retire
healthy.

Still interested in being a cop because it excites you ?
Become a sepecial deputy and put in 16 hours a month that should be enough excitement for you.

My dad missed a lot of our lives as we grew up. I missed a lot of my child's life almost the entire first 8 years and that is precious time I can't get back.

[towncop]

well i got another letter stating i would not be moving on to the background process.. i live in Indiana, im ilea certified reserve for large dept in indiana. completed 470 hr training academy just to be a reserve. im 25..possess a a.s. degree in law enforcement and have been a reserve for about 3years.. i am currently 0/6 when it comes to trying to get on somewhere full time. this latest i scored 94 on the written. did the interview. they stated they would combine the written and oral scores and top ten move on..interview was ok but i did not think it was that bad. im not big into bragging about myself when it comes to the interviews. my dream since i was young was to be a police officer, yet it seems someone up above has other ideas...is this even worth it to keep being let down...ive got a interview tomorrow, and another on monday but starting to think what in the hells the point.....should i start looking for another profession???

Here we go again Nadster.....

Maybe you come across as too cocky for the interviews you have been unsuccessful on. Maybe it's your demeanor. I mean if the department you are a reserve for won't even give you a full time shot, you're not doing something right. Take an interview class or a public speaking class. I'm curious now as to what the other department's are that didn't hire you, aside from Ft. Wayne. Care to give that info?