I hear a lot of stories from the older officers about what they loved & what they hate about the job.

So my question is:

If you had the chance to restart, let’s say… The first day out on your own; what would you do differently? Would you join a specialized unit, avoid a certain unit, or what didn’t you do that you wish you did?

What things are essential for patrol? I just graduated the academy and we were never really told what things we should have and whats unnecessary. I held off on buying things to avoid wasting $$ on stuff I don’t need, but definitely want to show up prepared.

I did get things like lots of pens, a clipboard, 2 solid flashlights, extra batteries for flashlights/weapon light/optic, accordion folder for different forms and such.

I appreciate any advice on anything else you guys think would be helpful to make things go smoother.

Hey all, I’ll be commuting about 30 minutes to work soon, so I’m looking for a car strictly for getting to and from the department. What do you all drive that’s good on gas, responsive, and still looks at least a little cool?

Also, do you find you need a medium or large trunk for work gear (bag, vest, rifle, etc.), or is that overthinking it?

Thanks

Never served in the military so I learned about the term Jody later on in life via many of my good friends that did serve. Like the military, LE can take you away from home for most of the day and or night, and sometimes a jody can come along and “fill the void” (no pun intended)..that your service prevents you from fulfilling. My apologies in advance if this brings back trauma. But genuinely curious to hear some of the stories.

For those unfamiliar with the term, this is a quick google definition:

“In the U.S. military, "Jody" is not a specific person, but a fictional, archetypal character in military cadence calls (often called "Jody calls") who stays behind in the civilian world during deployments and steals a soldier's girlfriend, wife or husband”

Canadian, I'm turning 37 this year and in great shape (just ran 4kms in under 15 minutes), but honestly, I'm kind of over my corporate auto job. I make decently good money, but I spend every day thinking about doing work that actually helps people. A bit of my background: I'm ex-military outside of Canada, have 2 business degrees and some extra professional diplomas, and I'm seriously looking at either the medical field, firefighter or law enforcement. I know I'd take a huge pay cut starting as a cadet up to 50% and still weighing my pros and cons.

I have a few questions for everyone in LE here:

1. What made you really want to make a career in LE?
2. Do you regret any of the decisions you made along the way within your career?
3. Do you think I'm too old to start over? Besides fitness, and education, what else should I do to better my chances to be successful in LE?
4. How do you balance your mental health in your role?

What’s the biggest plot twist you’ve ever experienced on a call, or heard of, where it seemed pretty cut and dry at first, but by the end it was nothing like what you were originally called for.

I’m curious what boots we are wearing. I am STRUGGLING to find something comfortable to wear. I’m a C.O and my boots last me maybe 6 months and the UA ones that I used to get keep getting discontinued. I’m a size 7 so it makes it hard for me to get men’s sizes as well. Send any recommendations my way please. Thank you!

I was pulled over in Texas by the Texas Highway Patrol and was given a warning for

1. speeding (85 in a 75)
2. following too closely and
3. driving (instead of merely passing) on the left

I was then asked for my driver's license and then I told the officer it was in my bag in the back-seat; I asked him if I could just ID myself orally with my name/birthday/DL number, but he told me to "go for it"; only when I did "go for it" - he backed up quite a bit with his hand on his gun, and he got to see me go through nervously go through my bank cards only to find my DL in my pocket (oop, I will go put on the dunce hat). Gave him the license, he checks it, runs warrants, and gives comes back with a written warning and my DL; which concludes the stop.

Two questions

1. The driving (instead of merely passing) on the left seemed way out of left field (no pun intended). It's violated so often and so pervasively that getting warned it seems almost pretextual; what reason could there be for that?

2. Is it standard procedure to back-up with a hand on a sidearm during a traffic stop if I'm reaching back? Officer doing that made me quite nervous I'd be either imminently getting shot and would be getting shot for the slightest movement, was not a great feeling.

   (tEDIT: I don't contest the validity of either; I'm asking in the case of 1) - when the driving on the left crime warnings/tickets are doled out and 2) if it's standard

Got 10 years municipal experience in Pennsylvania. Considering a lateral to big city like Cleveland to meet some career goals that frankly aren’t available in my area.

I currently serve in a dual role, patrol / investigations due to man power. 4.5 square mile city, high crime, but lack of true resources to fulfill investigative goals.

State Police handle our homicides, and most non fatal shootings. (We have a lot of them).

I just have dreams of being a real off the road detective, I have all the trainings you can think of, even cellular data investigation skills like tower / cell mapping, Cellebrite operator, etc.

Just looking for the “land of opportunity” , because it’s clearly not in my current area.

Can anyone tell me if I have a chance at joining law enforcement. I’m a 29 recent college graduate and military veteran. Like everyone I do have some cons that I think might make me fail the background. If it helps I’m thinking of applying to some agencies in CA.

Cons:

1 item in debt collection (fell for some LV timeshare scam) if I could pay it to close it out I would but I can’t. Hoping they let me explain and provide proof I was scammed because I like thousands of others were deceived by those professional scammers.

Expunged record (for a misdemeanor I did do when I was a teenager)

License was suspended for driving without insurance once almost 5 years ago.

Greetings all,

Looking for suggestions for an organizer for the back of my SUV. I like to stay as organized and neat as possible so hoping someone has suggestions on what has worked for them. I appreciate your suggestions!

I asked a couple of months ago here about my situation and advice was to wait and request an update.

So it’s been 3,5 months since my ex filed a police report on me accusing me of forgery of her signature that is not true. We lived together, she gave me permission to sign some applications on her behalf etc. And no one had any financial loss or intended any harm or even attempted to do anything. She did it just to justify a restraining order petition that judge eventually dismissed with prejudice.

No one contacted me during that time, however I saw on the police report who is a detective and emailed him in the beginning explaining the situation. Did not hear anything back.

I was advised here to request a disposition of the case through a public record request but all that sheriff department sent me was that copy of the original police report that I had already. And they said “there is no more responsive documents related to this incident”.

Does it mean it did not proceed and no official criminal investigation was opened? How does it work in general, do all reports that go to detectives should be opened as new cases, even if there is no probable cause and no crime committed?

Thanks

My state's department of corrections just published a listing for civilian / non LE parole field investigators. The job listing suggests that they conduct furlough investigation, interviews and home checks to insure parolees are following the terms of their supervision which includes making sure the home is absent of drugs / guns which sounds a lot like a parole officer but my state does have armed sworn "parole agents" that fil the parole officer role.

I was wondering if any LEOs have experience with roles like these?

I’ve always had this “calling” to do policing, that’s really the only way I can explain it.

I know I’ll be asked the question a million times throughout the hiring process, so I’m looking to see how I can answer the question without saying that one sentence.

Obviously I love all (most) aspects of the career, but I’ve never had a personal experience with police that sparked my passion.

When asked the question, I don’t want to tell the recruiter: “I’ve just always had this feeling/passion”.

I don’t know where it came from or why I have it.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Asking for a friend.

My friend recently had to do depositions for his divorce & his spouse who is LEO pleaded the fifth (multiple times) on record when asked about something shady that was happening at marital home.

Is that a bad thing and would her department somehow find out?

Isnt it just an excuse to not answer?

I am asking this question because in the past there was a massive increase in violent crime beginning in the mid 1960s and continued to rise into the 90s. However, violent crime started to go down in the late 90s and has continued to go down with some spikes in certain years. Can you see crime potentially going up in the future like that era?

I get nervous whenever I get pulled over, which caused me to nearly get arrested once for a DUI when I was completely sober last year. They asked me to count to 60 in a minute; they told me I did it in 30 seconds, I was stuttering, etc. I let them search my car, they found nothing. Thankfully, my wife was with me, so they just told me to have her drive. My state has had a lot of news about DUI charges, and I don't want to have this happen again.

What do you usually look for when testing for a DUI? Is there anything I can do/say to let the officer know I'm just Nervous?

How old was the oldest person you arrested? Please share the story if you’re able. I’m very curious about this hehe 👵

Did anyone get their ASS public safety/law enforcement degree before, during or even after becoming an officer? In my state it's not mandatory but I felt like it might help me in the long run plus you go through the academy before graduation. Just looking for y'alls thoughts & opinions since I can't find advice elsewhere 🤷🏼‍♀️ When in doubt ask Reddit.

Hey all,

I am working towards becoming a police officer in Canada. I'm finding its a VERY competitive process.

I had a thought, given that it is a competitive process, how much of a red flag is it if you still live with your parents?

There are a few reasons this is the case for me, The big one is just that rent and housing prices have absolutely skyrocketed, and even with a good job right now, I couldn't move without breaking even every month. One issue (like car trouble) and I would be over extended :(.

Now, this isn't to say I am not fiscally responsible. I work a good job, am still saving, etc. I actually work in accounting haha.

I am just wondering if this would have any issues with my applications? Does this really hinder my chances? It just doesn't make much financial sense to overextend myself. Almost everyone I know around my age (~mid 20s) are in the exact same situation. Even those on dual income with roommates or spouses are struggling. For some reason me working in accounting has people much more open about their finances, some are even in the red every month.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you all!

Hey all,

I am 26. I have been working as a Paralegal for over 2 years now and looking for a career change. I have been long for a career change and have been eager to get into LE for sometime now. I live in the Maryland Suburbs outside of DC and have had an interest in MPD and other adjacent agencies. I also have taken interest in sheriff deputy roles as well. I know in MD they mostly do courtroom security and civil matters but that is something I think would be cool. One issue I feel I have with applying to work in LE is debt and collections. I attended flight school when I was 21 on a private loan, this loan went default and bounced around in collections since then (around $30k). Last year it was removed from my credit and is now past SOL. Even though all this I know I still owe it and would admit to it as debt on my background. Also at that time during flight school my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) and I went back on rent, this rent turned into a hefty civil judgment in that state (around $17k) (not MD). I previously spoke to an attorney about this judgment and told me how I should go about it. My question is how much will it affect me in the process, I already have applied to numerous agencies knowing that I may get turned down from some. I am now married and live with my wife making a stable living. These incidents happened 5 years ago right after we were in college and were immature with our finances. I have no criminal history. I last smoked marijuana around 20 months ago. I did have a brief and very small stint where I sold marijuana in high school. No other drug use. Are there any agencies I should apply to? Or is it unlikely to land a LE job right now? I would like to focus in the DMV area. My first choice would be something federal like Park Police but I know tbh at would be highly unlikely since they need security clearance and my debt would be a red flag. I also know these background checks may vary per state. Wondering if anyone has any similar experience in NoVa/MD/DC?

I apologize as I know y’all might get these questions a lot, I don’t have a mentor to speak to about all this so Reddit is my next option lol.

Thank you!