Anyone is or knows a cop?

[logik23]

I'm looking at that career path and I just wanted some insight if anyone has any.

Please refrain from "fuck the police", "cops suck" or any other lame post.

[I LUV MY S13]

expirience helps...such as military, prison guards (best option), security, public safety etc...earn a better pay

[BustedS13]

i went out with a cop a couple years ago, and a few of my sister's friends are cops as well... i've been pulled over by three of five cops i know >.< they're all patrol officers, i don't know any detectives or whatever.
the job seems like a ton of sitting around and working odd hours.
this has been zero help, i know.
my brother in law is a fireman, and that seems like a way better gig. you work ten days a month.

[Brian]

If you do, thanks for serving the community.
I don't think you'll get many people who appreciate the work you do though.
It's sad.

[logik23]

Well I know it's a long shot to get info here because I live in Canada and most of you guys are in the states but I figured I'd try. I'm looking into the RCMP (Mounties) which is our federal police.

[S14DB]

Would the experience be different in Canada than it is in the US?

[ThatGuy]

Well, for starters, you should change your outlook on things.

Street racing IS a crime.

You need to believe in what you are sworn to enforce.

Civil service isn't a job you take just to pull a paycheck. (at least it shouldn't be!)

[Drift N Dragg]

Well, for starters, you should change your outlook on things.

Street racing IS a crime.

You need to believe in what you are sworn to enforce.

Civil service isn't a job you take just to pull a paycheck. (at least it shouldn't be!)

100% Right ....

My Brother In Law is a CHP... as long as your Post Academy has the Same requirements as ours, you should be able to Join the Sheriff's Dept. Or Local PD.

CHP have a Selection Process ( I know I went through most of it ).. They Train you for 6 Months, There way... Basic Training all over..

[logik23]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. It was a joke from way back when.

Anyways, they have a 6 month training at their own academy. It's 3 months if you are already with a local/provincial PD, but I'm not.

The main reason I wanna do it is because its all I ever dreamed of all through elementary and high school. The dream kind of died after that, but now I'm 22 and I don't know where I'm going so I thought I might have had the right idea back then.

[spooled240]

my friend's dad is a CHP retiree and he now works for the sherriff's department and he worked many whack shifts well over 8 hours..overtime is ALWAYS there and you can pull in an extra 25,000 a year just in overtime. You make more money being a CHP officer but I think you put away more scumbags being a street cop lol

[no slide]

i dont know what it would be like in canada, but my cousin and one of my good friends are san bernardino sherrifs. i guess how it works over here is you get hired, they send you to the academy, you graduate, and you have to work in the jail for a couple years before you start patrolling. my buddy has been at the jail for a little over a year now and from what he tells me he makes about 25$/hr. he works graveyard, 12 hour shifts. its a 3-4-3 schedule meaning one week he works 3 days, then the next week he works 4 and then 3 etc etc..not a bad field to get in to, good retirement benefits and you get to carry a gun lol.

[Element_on_20s]

I'm working on joining CHP. If you have any thoughts about doing it, do it!

[SexPanda]

My father was a cop for the Air Force for 12 years... Back when they were real cops lol. Dog handler then kennel master. He had some crazy stories of him and his dog having to fight off like 10 drunk germans with a maglight lol and having to chase a guy through the woods for like 2 miles.

Also, 3 of my uncles are cops. 1 is a desk cop now, got a load of birdshot in the knee serving a warrant on a lab. guy got 1 shot off, Nebraska HiPo SWAT got 400+ lol.

Everyone I know who's a cop said they loved it. My dad regrets becoming a 1st sgt after he made E7. My uncles say they can't imagine doing anything better. Although, my dad was gone alot when I was growing up, but he still made all the important stuff. Just be prepaired for long hours away from home, and having to possibly fight off a bunch of drunk dudes with a maglight lol

[Freddy]

From what i know, friends in police foundation, the only down side to RCMP is they send you to random places in canada, so be prepared to go to Nunavut, oh and and parently if you ride the horse you get payed more. also you need a really clean record for rcmp. and if you want to be a regular cop. ottawa looking for some, average pay is like 116 000$. Si tes bilingue encore plus.

[ericcastro]

Civil service isn't a job you take just to pull a paycheck. (at least it shouldn't be!)

exactly.
Thats probably most of the reason we have A hole cops.
They joined for a check and end up getting tired of the BS and people really quikly.
Its probably like teachers in that respect.
You could always tell the people there for the check and the vactation vs. the teachers that wanted to mold you into the best you could be.


If you really feel you have a calling, then go for it.
We need more public servants in this world that WANT to help people and society.
being in canada, get ready to deal with alot of drunken fights between 19 year olds.
hope your patient.

Plus, RCMP gets cool stripes on thier pants like han solo, right?

[S14DB]

Plus, RCMP gets cool stripes on thier pants like han solo, right?
http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/RCMP%20TUNIC%20RED%20SERGE.jpg
Looks like it.

[mRclARK1]

That pic is of a RCMP officer in dress uniform. See one on the street at work and they have a more practical uniform, armor a (IIRC) .40 auto and some other toys. They don't look like your typical Canadian symbol. haha

And they have cars, not horses. Except, like in some major US cities, horses are still sometimes used I think for various reasons.

From what i know, friends in police foundation, the only down side to RCMP is they send you to random places in canada, so be prepared to go to Nunavut, oh and and parently if you ride the horse you get payed more. also you need a really clean record for rcmp. and if you want to be a regular cop. ottawa looking for some, average pay is like 116 000$. Si tes bilingue encore plus.

You need a good record. Not a spotless clean one. Having no Criminal charges is ideal, but having speeding tickets, routine traffic violations (a reasonable # at least) and/or some minor legal trouble isn't a guarantee of rejection. I personally know one person who was accepted with some previous legal criminal issues. It's all taken individually in regards to each applicant.

You can be posted anywhere in Canada, but check with them, accepted applicants from certain areas tend to get certain postings etc. and there is some room for requests.


being in canada, get ready to deal with alot of drunken fights between 19 year olds.
hope your patient.

Plus, RCMP gets cool stripes on thier pants like han solo, right?

Being a cop just be prepared to deal with the effects of alcohol. Period.

And yes. You get cool stripes like Han Solo. Just a different color. Or it would be more accurate to say Han Solo has cool stripes like RCMP officers... Since they had them first. haha

FWIW: I know lots of cops and could easily get in myself... And plan to soon; so I've looked into it a lot.

[tht.1.s13]

i know a cop

[logik23]

Well I know they send you to some random lost place for the first 3 years of duty. Pretty much the Canadian equivalent of some random little town in the middle of Idaho.

For the criminal record, I have nothing, like nothing at all. For my driving record, I have 1 stop sign from like 1 year ago, 2 speeding from like 3 and 4 years ago and 1 street racing ticket from last year which I'm still fighting in court cause it was bullshit and I'm sure I'm ganna win. I think I should be ok.

The one thing I'll have to do is start working out again before I go into it. lol I'm 6'3 and 200lbs, but I haven't worked out in like 2 years and I need better cardio for sure.

Anyways, I'll look into it, thanks for all tips guys. Keep them coming if anyone thinks anything hasn't been said.

[g6civcx]

I'm looking at that career path and I just wanted some insight if anyone has any.

Financial:

If you want to do local law enforcement, realise that your pay will be very low. Even if you made detective and work your way up the department, your pay will most likely be below the median income in your area.

If you want slightly better pay, try to qualify for state or even federal law enforcement. The alphabet agencies tend to pay slightly better, but still not on par with federal white collar jobs.

If you're up to it, you can try some of the intelligence services. After you have some experience, you can do private consulting and make much more than you can in the government.

I know many former intelligent officers who make a lot of money. Mostly due to their networking and secret clearance. It's possible to clear double or triple six figures a year without doing much work.

Satisfaction

If you do law enforcement, most people you directly deal with will not appreciate what you do. So unless you have some sort of higher calling, don't expect job satisfaction from your every day work.

About the only redeeming thing would be the victims you could potentially help, but that would be rare.

If you like running around with guns, just play paintball. Choosing a career just because you like doing this type of thing is not good for your career. I know a lot of guys in the FBI who get burned out because there is a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy behind the scene. Chasing down criminals is less than 5% of the job.


If you really want to go down this path, take some classes in criminology and decide if you want go to law school or work the beat.

I know a lot of cops who regretted never going to college and even law school. By the time they realise this they're too old to go back to school.

[mRclARK1]

Financial:

If you want to do local law enforcement, realise that your pay will be very low. Even if you made detective and work your way up the department, your pay will most likely be below the median income in your area.

If you want slightly better pay, try to qualify for state or even federal law enforcement. The alphabet agencies tend to pay slightly better, but still not on par with federal white collar jobs.

If you're up to it, you can try some of the intelligence services. After you have some experience, you can do private consulting and make much more than you can in the government.

I know many former intelligent officers who make a lot of money. Mostly due to their networking and secret clearance. It's possible to clear double or triple six figures a year without doing much work.

Satisfaction

If you do law enforcement, most people you directly deal with will not appreciate what you do. So unless you have some sort of higher calling, don't expect job satisfaction from your every day work.

About the only redeeming thing would be the victims you could potentially help, but that would be rare.

If you like running around with guns, just play paintball. Choosing a career just because you like doing this type of thing is not good for your career. I know a lot of guys in the FBI who get burned out because there is a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy behind the scene. Chasing down criminals is less than 5% of the job.


If you really want to go down this path, take some classes in criminology and decide if you want go to law school or work the beat.

I know a lot of cops who regretted never going to college and even law school. By the time they realise this they're too old to go back to school.

This is all good advice, but some of the pay stuff does not apply to the OP's situation being in Canada.

Nearly all municipal and provincial police pay on par, or very close to, the RCMP pay levels or even slightly more. RCMP tends to have better benefits overall but most are pretty comparable to attract potential recruits.

RCMP is on a long recruiting drive right now as they're desperate for people to fill the ranks of lots of retiring officers. IIRC they expect to be short of people for the next 5 years at least. More likely 10. If you want to apply, now or within the next few years, is definitely the time.

[S14DB]

That pic is of a RCMP officer in dress uniform. See one on the street at work and they have a more practical uniform, armor a (IIRC) .40 auto and some other toys. They don't look like your typical Canadian symbol. haha

And they have cars, not horses. Except, like in some major US cities, horses are still sometimes used I think for various reasons.
http://www.ritchot.com/EmergencyServices/images/RCMP-Gay-Officers-to-Wed-lo-773272.png

Oh yes much better...


OMG, I just noticed the file name of the image I copypasta'd.

[!Zar!]

I'm looking at that career path and I just wanted some insight if anyone has any.

Please refrain from "fuck the police", "cops suck" or any other lame post.

Zilvia will hate you.

Have you not seen the threads?!

[logik23]

Well a big part of the doubt is I'm wondering how a car guy can manage being a cop. It must feel hypocritical.

Thx for the info g6civic! Great posts guys, I appreciate the info.

[!Zar!]

Why couldn't a cop manage being a car guy?

Most cops love cars.

[logik23]

Because a lot of mods are illegal (in Canada anyways) and car guys speed. (speeding doesn't refer to drive like a douche through traffic, but to driving over the limit when the circumstances are favorable.

[240cracker]

if u become a cop can u please write off all my tickets

[tricky_ab]

I have a few friends who are currently working for Peel Police. The process is long and hard. A few of them had to retake tests and interviews! And the interview process is a tedious one. It went on for 3 hours with little breaks in between.

But once you make it in, it's cake (unless you get put in a tough division like my boy because he's a "visual minority":squint: )

[mRclARK1]

http://www.ritchot.com/EmergencyServices/images/RCMP-Gay-Officers-to-Wed-lo-773272.png

Oh yes much better...


OMG, I just noticed the file name of the image I copypasta'd.

They're gay officers. I rest my case. haha.

They don't look intimidating. I wasn't trying to say they do... A smart cop doesn't want to intimidate people. All I was saying is they don't patrol and work day to day in those red pajamas like a lot of people think they do from the stereotype.

If anyone thinks the RCMP isn't a serious police force... A lot of US police forces have modeled their training. One of my professors at school just helped tour a bunch of delegates from the US, including some from the FBI, through the training depot this spring. They also have a presence in Afghanistan to help train the Afghan police forces.

You have to remember, in Canada the RCMP covers areas that in the US are covered by several different state and federal agencies. The RCMP in Canada fills the equivalent roles of the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, DEA, county LE etc in the US. They do everything federal here from major organized crime, right down to being contracted out to the provinces for municipal LE in small communities and as a provincial police force.

The RCMP employs A LOT of plain clothes and very specialized people. They even have a role in counter-terrorism efforts in Canada.

[ericcastro]

The RCMP employs A LOT of plain clothes and very specialized people. They even have a role in counter-terrorism efforts in Canada.

plain clothes?
http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/uniforms4/RCMP.jpg

hmmmm
http://www.genevaonline.com/~n9yle/rcmp_00ptcruiser.jpg




I like this guy as far as Canadians
http://2010ancaster.com/admin/spaw2/uploads/images/rgreen.jpg

and McClark, you figure out that whole Oak Island thing for me yet?

[spooled240]

my buddy's dad who i mentioned earlier is a huge car guy and he was CHP. He had a 2001 SS camaro and now he has a corvette..and he definitely went over the speed limit at times lol

[g6civcx]

If you are truly serious, I recommend contacting your local agency and ask for ride alongs. You can meet a lot of people on the job and ask them directly what they think.

[logik23]

I actually had a ride along in high school and loved it.

[ericcastro]

I actually had a ride along in high school and loved it.
I had a lot of them too, didn't love em so much.

[gzer750]

dont forget that someday, your going to confront some one that doesnt want to go to jail. and you better be ready to take on fire.

[ericcastro]

dont forget that someday, your going to confront some one that doesnt want to go to jail. and you better be ready to take on fire.
not true,
he's in Canada :hahano:

[OptionZero]

Financial:

If you want to do local law enforcement, realise that your pay will be very low. Even if you made detective and work your way up the department, your pay will most likely be below the median income in your area.

If you want slightly better pay, try to qualify for state or even federal law enforcement. The alphabet agencies tend to pay slightly better, but still not on par with federal white collar jobs.



I disagree. I believe with overtime pay, local sheriff's deputies in California can rack up $200k annually. I know they get guaranteed minimum 4 hours of overtime everytime they get subpoenaed off-shift even if they're in and out in 30 min (rarely happens in a criminal calendar)

[ericcastro]

I just had Christmas morning here in Spokane WA with an officer/swat guy.
he's making around 90K a year without his 6% hazard pay and over time for swat.

But he said its a huge trade off.
cause of family and the danger involved.
He said everytime he is in uniform he is a target.
he also doesnt sit in his car and do paperwork or really pull anyone over.

So dont go that way for the money, be a firefighter instead.
he said he should have done that.
then he could hangout, cook, playstation,lol

[mRclARK1]

^^^But for some people that's the reward of the job. The thrill of it and the element of danger etc. That's why it's fairly common to find a lot of former military in the police profession. I would say 1/2 of my military friends are in, planning to, or attempted to become, part of the police force.

That's why I would do it, partly. I couldn't take sitting around playing playstation and cooking all day at my job. Not to knock other emergency services like firefighters and paramedics etc... I know a few of those as well, but they don't do the job the police do. Police take the most shit and danger, day to day, with the least thanks.

[g6civcx]

I disagree. I believe with overtime pay, local sheriff's deputies in California can rack up $200k annually. I know they get guaranteed minimum 4 hours of overtime everytime they get subpoenaed off-shift even if they're in and out in 30 min (rarely happens in a criminal calendar)

What is the median income in California?

[logik23]

In Canada, RCMP make 45k the first year and after 3 years they get bumped to 75k.

[HalveBlue]

What is the median income in California?

According to wikipedia: $54,385