Advice From Those Who Joined LE Late

[GoodWitness]

Hi Folks,
I know everyone's experience will differ and will be specific to their own situation, but do you have any words of wisdom for me? Specifically, about the effects that your LE career has had on your family if you started in this career later than most.

I'm 48, married with a 15 yo son and 12 yo daughter, and am about to start my pursuit of a career in law enforcement. It's something I've given a lot of thought, and it will mean many changes for my family, some good and some bad.

The good:
• I'll be doing something worthwhile for my community that I've always held in high esteem
• It's a steady income with benefits (I currently am a consultant, but work for myself, so no benefits, no vacation time, no pension plan)
• I'll work independently but in a team environment, something that I sorely miss right now. I work independently, but with no support team (unless I pay them, and that definitely isn't the same thing)
• Every day (and night) will be different, with new challenges (and frustrations, I'm sure); when I'm not working, I can be "off-duty" which isn't the case for an entrepreneur
• I can think of other positives, but you get the idea.

The bad:
• Shift work (and just regular routine working hours) is not something my family is used to. Right now, good ol' dad is the go-to guy because my schedule is very flexible
• The "Fear Factor" of this new career that is poorly understood by so many (as evidenced by the posters in "Ask A Cop" on a daily basis!)
• Financially it will be a pretty big hit for the next few years, although with permission from the Chief I may be able to maintain at least part of my business (I know one guy here who has a successful business and who has only been OTJ for a year or so, in his 40's)
• I don't look good in navy - Just kidding, I can't really think of many other negatives.

What do you think? Have you been in my shoes? I'm looking forward to any and all comments....

...And no, I'm not going to conclude by asking if I can still get hired if I've had a peanut-butter enhanced relationship with a schnauzer!
Thanks,
GoodWitness

[cotya2day]

Go For It!

Don't Be One Of Many Who Later On In Life Ponder...... "what Could Have Been?"

[lildep48]

I think time away from your family for at least a year is going to be the biggest problem. Your going to have to spend most of your time studying for the academy with little time for family, but they will have to be with you 100% and accept it or it will be rough. The academy is going to be M-F 8-5 most likely which like a normal job but once your out, you will more than likely get stuck with a graveyard shift which doesn't help out at all with family time but you have to make due and work with your family. However, I don't have kids yet, just a wife, so I could be off. Sit down with your family and talk about it, I did that and my wife and she was with me 100%. Good luck!

[hooknbook]

I went through the academy at 35 years old. I was the 4th or 5th oldest out of 72 recruits. Eventhough I was in decent shape, the younger guys kicked my arse on the physical fitness side of it...but I was in the top 10 academically.

I too walk from a higher paying job but haven't regreted ONCE. If it's your dream, move on it.

[BenjaminsDad]

I was the 3rd oldest in my class at 32. Younger than you, but still I was married with a child and a pretty cake schedule. I also took a pay cut.

The transition has been a bit difficult, but it hasn't been impossible. Make sure your wife is 100% on board, as are your kids. You must make them understand...TRULY understand that you will be 100% unavailable (well, maybe 95%) for the duration of the academy, and then probably 50% unavailable during FTO.

Your life experience and maturity will give you an advantage over your younger classmates. Nearly all of our older recruits made it through the academy with flying colors.

Good luck and never quit!!

[GoodWitness]

I'm in Canada, so things are probably a bit different in terms of training, at least from an academy perspective. It's 3 months, residential, about an hour and 3/4 drive from where I live. From what I've heard, people go home on weekends if they're close enough, which I would be. That's likely a bit easier to sell at home than what some of you have to do.

The agency I'm looking at works patrol 2 days / 2 nights / 4-off, which seems pretty good to me, but I'm sure there will be push-back from the family. I'm going to spend a couple of shifts with a guy I've met there to see what it's really like to be on patrol for 12 hours overnight - should be interesting.

My wife knows that my current gig is providing zero satisfaction and has no real security at all - she claims it's making me very grumpy. Of course she's mistaken!

You're right though; it's now or never, and when I'm 65, I can't imagine looking back on a life spent doing what I do now.

[leftcoastcopper]

as someone else said, ensure your wife is 110% on board. she will be your biggest fan, supporter, confident, sounding board etc.

your days off as a leo sometimes are not your days off. court, overtime, callbacks etc. can be rough on the family.

the fun you can have as a leo can be incredible.

your having been around the block a few times professionally will be a big plus for you as you transition into l/e. but dude i swear, working graveshift as an older copper can be rough sometimes. but it can be done but it is a change from coming from a dayshift career. get used to doing more with less sleep. eat right. stay away from the stop and rob 24 hr food store discount bin. nothin but trouble lurks in those bins. hostess twinkies, ho-hos, and cupcakes will increase your body armor and uni shirt size in no time...

go for it and good luck!

[HotSoup]

I don't think your age will have much impact if you can successfully complete the academy...your biggest problem or maybe not is that your FTO will more then likely be alot and I mean alot younger then you are and you'll have get used to the fact that he's going to be telling you what do to, how to do it, and when to do it....I've seen alot of older guys that just can't handle some young guy telling them what do to...if you can take their advise no matter how rough it can be then you'll turn out to be a good Officer.

[GoodWitness]

Luckily I'm used to getting told what to do by young'uns, and doing it with a smile (or gritted teeth, it's hard to tell) - my clients are often in their early thirties and it's easier to keep a client than find a new one.

About the junkfood, yeah, I've been guilty of hitting the drive-through for a coffee and ending up with a box of donut holes too. In preparation to make this change, the first thing I've been doing is hitting the gym 3 days a week (25 minutes on an elliptical and an hour with weights) and doing a 1.5 mile run on the off days, with a day off each week. I need to step up the running, that's never been my favorite thing to do.

Been at this since January 5th, if nothing else I'm getting into pretty decent shape!

[HotSoup]

It's going to be totally different then "young uns" telling you what to do and what your clients are telling you....totally different mindset....you make a mistake and depending on the FTO they'll rip you a new one...good FTO's will still make you feel like crap for you're mistake but will take the time to educate you so that you don't make the mistake again...not saying you can't do it but this is something you need to consider and expect....there are going to be FTO's that are just complete butt heads and and expect you to figure things out on your own and FTO's that will be tough on you and explain why what you did was wrong and how not to repeat the mistake.

[GoodWitness]

It's going to be totally different then "young uns" telling you what to do and what your clients are telling you....totally different mindset....you make a mistake and depending on the FTO they'll rip you a new one...good FTO's will still make you feel like crap for you're mistake but will take the time to educate you so that you don't make the mistake again...not saying you can't do it but this is something you need to consider and expect....there are going to be FTO's that are just complete butt heads and and expect you to figure things out on your own and FTO's that will be tough on you and explain why what you did was wrong and how not to repeat the mistake.

Yep, that's definitely something to consider, I've never been in the military or anything similar in terms of rank structure so it will be very different for me. My dad was career military when I was growing up, and I worked on contract in a military hospital in my mid-20's, wearing the same uniform as the regular force members in my role (without insignia, of course) so I've been ordered around by buttheads before, for what that's worth!

[HotSoup]

LOL well just remember to keep a postive attitude and accept any critizism as a learning experience and you should be ok. The academy will be totally different then your FTO period and your FTO period will be totally different when you go solo.

[GoodWitness]

Yeah, Hotsoup, I've found that the right attitude and a sense of humor can help in just about any situation. I think right now what I'm looking forward to the most is an opportunity to challenge myself and learn new things.

The biggest difference I can see between what I do now and the situations faced by LE is that the stuff you deal with, whether it's the worst imaginable, who-could-do-that-to-another-human-being situation or the best day possible, is that it's real life.

[Rod_Farva]

I had a guy in my academy class who was 54 yo. He is still kicking butt and taking names and loves doing this job. I agree with everyone else. Go for it. Have you done any ride alongs with some officers? I might recommend that if you have not.

[creolecop]

I'm one that is going to advise against it. I would look for something in the reserves if yall have that over there. Your 48, probably closer to 49 and will probably be atleast 50 when you start. That will put you at or close to 70yrs old to draw a retirement. I'm not saying it couldn't be done because it can, but you may want to think about whether or not you want to still HAVE to work until 70.

IMO 48-50 is to old to "start" in this career. Alot of depts and some states here have determined this also. From a sheer outside view it doesn't seem like it would be a smart decision for you, but only you know what's best for you and your family.