Ok, here's one for yeah..

[cst.sb]

I have a questions for all the LEO's (fulltime) current, former, and retired.

One of our new guys was thinking about quiting. The file load is brutal and being a young guy he felt like the job "didn't fit", if you know what I mean.

I know for me personally I felt more like a "cop" when I was an auxiliary. I knew what was expected of me, and I did it well.

When I became a "regular" member of the force the expectations changed a 1000 fold. Now investigations were mine, I forwarded the reports to crown, (the prosecutor) and it was a bit overwhelming. Just knowing how to write a simple file in the correct language so it could be concluded, and not kicked back for more follow-up, etc in the begining is a challenge.

So for me, and tell the young guy this every chance I get, it took a year before I felt completely comfortable in my job. I still get stumped just about every shift, don't get me wrong, but at least I know now how and where to go for the answers.

So this is my question, how long was it before you all felt that comfort level at work???

[Centurion44]

6 weeks- when I got off FTO.

PS- Read this.

[Tennsix]

It was about four years for me.

[Tennsix]

6 weeks- when I got off FTO.

PS- Read this.

Your FTO was only six weeks?

[Bodie]

The paper work only gets worse as you progress up the ranks. Maybe the guy really isn'y cut out to be a cop at all

[ftlaudcop]

I had from sept to dec 31'st...to practice my skill's o.j.t.
320 hrs academy, and work 320 hrs o.j.t. ( 16 hour days )....
7 months later....quite comfortable, baptism under file.

[Sleuth]

The differing workdays are part of the challenge and the fun in law enforcement - "every day a school day".

After I transferred to my 2nd post of duty, I reached a comfort level where I would dictate the complaints as I drove back from the jail, and drop the tape off with the secretary for transcription whicle I was off on another investigation. We all adjust differently.

[DoTheNumbers]

Your FTO was only six weeks?

I have him beat. Mine was 6 days.

[Tennsix]

I have him beat. Mine was 6 days.

Hell, Toody and Muldoon got more training than that!

[Centurion44]

Your FTO was only six weeks?

Yeah- our department typically hires officers that are already certified.

[Tennsix]

We do too but they still have to complete the full FTO program. I was a already cop when I hired on at my current PD and I had to do the whole thing.