LEO Experiences

[matt6669 71]

Don't worry this isn't a thread asking about crappy experiences with LEO's.

 

I know we have some active LEO's and also some retired ones on here as well. What I'm looking for is your experiences as a LEO, are you happy doing it, if you could do it all over again would you etc etc.

 

Currently I am going to school for Architecture and I'm not enjoying it as much as I use to anymore. I've worked for an architect for 5 years now and the sitting behind a desk all day long just isn't appealing to me anymore. I've always had the thought of become a police officer in the back of my mind but just never had. I have several friends who are police officers and I seem to get mixed reviews from them.

 

It seems the older guys who are retired say they loved their jobs, enjoyed doing it but if they were my age in this day and age they probably wouldn't do it again due to how much the occupation has changed over the years.

 

So whats your daily day like. Are you up moving around always doing stuff or does it become monotinous (sp) etc

 

Thanks for the input!

[djg0770 481]

Matt,

 

We should have a discussion offline re: architorture. I had no idea you were submitting yourself to such sado-masichism. I have worked with architects for the past 15 years, but am not an Architect.

 

Depending on whom you are working for can have a major effect on how you perceive any occupation.

 

Living in North Jersey, knowing the congestion, etc, you might want to focus yourself within the Criminal Justice field. I am well acquainted with a former customs officer/dog handler who transferred to be an air marshal, and I also know another gentleman that works for the Casino Control Commission. I would be willing to get you in touch with either one or both so that you could discuss career options with both of them. The first guy has close to 20 years seniority and I believe the second guy has approximately 30 years seniority.

[Lublin 3]

Don't worry this isn't a thread asking about crappy experiences with LEO's.

 

Good thing, I'd be typing for days.

[djg0770 481]

Good thing, I'd be typing for days.

 

Honestly, I've had more good than bad though the bad experiences leave a REALLY bad taste in one's mouth.

[Wolfy 51]

I hate LEOS the exwife is a LEO.

[rscalzo 3]

We should have a discussion offline

 

He'd fit right in with my guys.

 

 

A few thoughts:

 

Family life - you won't have one. If you have kids they will grow up without you around for the most part. you will miss many family gathering and holidays.

 

Age - 35 is the cut off in this state. Military times can add a few years to that.

 

Hiring - at this time it isn't the best and some towns are lying off. If the changes to the NJ Pension go through in two years retirements will slow keeping the older officers on the job.

 

Now, if you do want to move in that direction, throwing out your other talent such as the architecture. It's nice to have a second career.

 

If you want to run anything by me, feel free to give me a shout.

[bbk 188]

Yea, I have a buddy who went the traditional route of studying criminal justice (graduated w/ BA), interned with NJSP and two local municipalities, worked for RU campus security, and has connections with some LEOs-- and still can't find any openings. I told him to broaden his options, like NYPD or Federal, but that's not quite his bowl of soup-- so, can't force it down his throat. Honestly, if he had joined the Army with me, we would've probably signed up as MPs together, but it didn't play out like that. I've personally taken the NYPD exam, received an invitation to start the rest of the process, but declined as I chose to stay in school and go a different route.

 

Best of luck.

[rscalzo 3]

Another thought is the Alternate Route which simply means you pay to go through and get certified at one of the state's police academies. Not all participate in this method but more and more town are requiring a PTC certification to apply for their openings. I believe it will be seen more and more in the future.

 

The down side is that it would require three months away from your normal employment to complete.

 

This site will answer any questions you have about entry to the state's academies.

http://www.state.nj.us/lps/dcj/njptc/home.htm

[PK90 3,571]

Someone once said:

The job is 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror.

[Chad 3]

Someone once said:

The job is 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror.

 

Sounds like my marriage. :roll:

[Lublin 3]

Someone once said:

The job is 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror.

 

Sounds like my marriage. :roll:

 

!!!!!

[djg0770 481]

Someone once said:

The job is 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror.

 

Sounds like my marriage. :roll:

 

I can see the headlines now in the APP "Wife shoots man execution style after tasteless internet forum post"

 

[rscalzo 3]

The job is 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror.

 

Right on both counts. Throw in 10 percent mundane paperwork.

[Chad 3]

I can see the headlines now in the APP "Wife shoots man execution style after tasteless internet forum post"

 

 

With his own gun... :oops:

[matt6669 71]

Some good information for sure. It's funny how many different views on the subject there are depending on who you talk to.

 

The no family life thing I was pretty aware of to begin with. Luckily at this point I'm single with no kids (thank god!) so that wouldn't be a problem now but could be some years down the road.

 

Realistically I'd like to get on a police force and do some form of k-9 work where ever that would lead me. I'm also interested in the detective end of things as well. From what I hear both are EXTREMELY hard to get onto as well. I am aware that I wouldn't start out at one of those positions to.

 

Thats kinda disheartening to hear about the 90% boredom and 10% terror. I never thought that there would be that much down time. Now I know some police forces are obviously busier than other so that would depend on where you are as well.

 

And there are like no towns hiring. My cousin did the route where he paid for the training out of his own pocket and then applied to towns. I think it took him 6 months to finally land a job so that stinks. I'd be in the same position since I have no military experience I wouldn't have seniority over other people either.

 

Keep the reviews coming guys, I like reading up on this stuff to help me make my decision.

 

Oh Dan I'm just going to guess and say you work in some form of construction and if I'm right I'm not sure we should have a discussion about Architecture because it'll be a stalemate

[djg0770 481]

Oh Dan I'm just going to guess and say you work in some form of construction and if I'm right I'm not sure we should have a discussion about Architecture because it'll be a stalemate

 

Actually, up until early June you would have been wrong...

 

Architecture requires 5 years of schooling - you have to be a jack of all trades, have an understanding of structures as well as systems, and be willing to be paid less than an engineer who only has to focus on one trade, has 4 years of school and is more respected by the public. :^P

 

Actually, I try to be pretty impartial - and I can tell you that where you intern can change your world. If you're in a cookie cutter firm that just does commercial interiors your artistic side will never survive and the monotony and boredom will soon kill every ounce of desire. If you get in a firm that does historical restoration and that's your thing, it can be like you never have to work a day in your life. Likewise a high end residential firm (high end means $$ is no object) can have you expressing your inner DaVinci/VanGogh

[matt6669 71]

I'm very fortunate for where I work right now. I've been there for 5 years and I've pretty much gotten to do everything minus the EXTREMELY high end residential stuff.

 

Not to get off topic but just a back ground.

I work for a firm in Pompton Plains and we for the most part have designed everything that is at crystal springs. The most notable thing we didn't design was the hotel. If anyone is familiar with crystal springs, we did their clubhouse that won a NJ award and we've done pretty much all of their single family homes and condo's minus the ones they sold out to tollbrothers.

 

So I've been able to work on little tiny additions for residential to little tiny renovations to commercial projects to huge additions for both to also brand new custom stuff. If you live in Vernon I feel sorry for you. I'm trying to bring a project to a close for them, its been 4 years in the making, and the economic crashed pushed it back a couple years but were just reviving it now. I'm working on (3) story multi-family dwellings that they plan to build between 50-100 when all said the traffic is just going to suck. Anyway im going off on a tangent lol

 

So I do get a lot of different experiences and I do get to go out and measure buildings and do it all but the last 2 years has been like pulling teeth for me. It has definitely gone from something that I loved and enjoyed to just a job. I never thought about trying to get a job working for some type of historical renovation but in this day and age I don't really thing the money is there to do it. My plans were after I graduated to open my own business and I just don't think doing historical renovations is going to cut it. But that would be sweet to get something like that though.

 

Anyway we'll have to chat about it in person I could go on and on about it, it's definitely something I've been thinking about for quite some time.

[djg0770 481]

How close are you to your degree? If you're within 2 years, don't be stupid, finish your degree, even if you don't ever use it, it's an incredible safety net.

 

4 years ago I worked as a Construction Project Manager for 8 months. That short stint sucked my resume to the top of the pile to where I was hired within a week of answering a job posting. Versatility IS necessary in this day and age.

 

Historic renovation today means two things, you have to be willing to do gov't work since that is where the money is (at least for the next 3 years and 200+ days) and you have to be willing to go where the work is. Generally that will NOT mean out west.

 

Believe me, if I had it to do all over again, I don't know if I would have taken the same paths.

[matt6669 71]

I'm at minimum 2 years and a summer, its looking more like 3 years and a summer tho. I'm still young only 24, but I'm in my 5th year of college already and the thought of 3 more years just sucks as well. I've thought about transitioning into a landscape architecture degree. Theres two colleges in Maryland that are 30 and 45 minutes from where a friend lives who has already offered me free living so thats another possibility. But from the sounds of it, its between a 4 and 5 year degree so I'd be in the same boat or worse than I already am.

 

The other crappy thing about architecture is you do 5 years of college, 3 years of an internship, then take your test. If you can't ever past the tests, you just spent 8 years of your life for nothing because in architecture without the license your not really worth that much.

 

Luckily I am still young and I do have a lot of possibilities, its just narrowing down a possibility to what makes the most sense is the hard part. My biggest pet peve these days is sitting behind a desk. For the architecture that I want to be involved in, that is what I'm going to be doing minus one or two days outta the week when you go see clients. That whole idea just seems less appealing to me every day. I kinda want to find a job where I can be up moving around, outside a lot, not stuck sitting behind a desk.

 

Ahhhh the wonders of growing up, just when you think you have it all figured out, theres always that friendly reminder, you don't know jack shit

[rscalzo 3]

I'd like to get on a police force and do some form of k-9 work

 

Unfortunately being assigned to any specialty, such as K9 will require at least a few years on the job. Unfortunately these are the first units cut in tough economic times as a cost savings measure.

 

Be aware that going the Alternate route will require a job to stay certified. I'm not sure what the time frame is but it isn't unlimited so you have to hustle up employment rather quickly. This is not the best time to be under that type of gun.

 

I agree that staying in school and finishing up is the best way to go. Trying to finish up a degree while working oddball hours is not easy. I did it and it took a lot of effort. Get it out of the way now.

[djg0770 481]

I'm at minimum 2 years and a summer

 

Matt - respectfully - go back and look at how quickly you could be done. Could you handle 18-21 credits per semester? Could you do a 12 credit summer? Could you rearrange and with permission take Studio 8 before Studio 7 (or whatever the course) with advisor approval so that you can get out quicker? You won't know unless you ask. You may be able to significantly shorten your perceived time frame.

 

Actually, it sounds like you would do better in some form of construction - not necessarily swinging a hammer. The field of Arch could actually make you an excellent Construction Manager/Designer - you understand how things SHOULD be built and then experience in the field will show you how things ACTUALLY get built. It's more hands on and if you get in with a Design-Build firm, you could have that experience you are talking about.

 

I wouldn't throw away your investment in education just yet. As far as the test goes, yes, true, but if you can make it through 5 years of college then you're already used to taking a test. My test was a little different than yours as my field is not Arch, but I took both tests (the fundamentals and the application test) back to back and passed the first time. It's possible and achievable. Don't view it as an impossibility, view it as an opportunity to succeed.

 

OK Rah Rah Rah my cheerleading is over for now.

[romer12 0]

my outlook on jobs has always been toward......federal, state, county or municipal. Why: each have their own benefits, i.e. health care, good pay, sick time, retirement, etc, etc. You can't count of those items in civilian companies........Myself. Retired military, retired municipality, retired Social Security. See, all governmental agencies........with a retirement check....

As stated, finish college before anything else.......that piece of paper opens doors for almost anything. For horizon views check out the federal and state levels of law enforcement. No charge to look............. I have total of about 40 years various levels and type of law enforcement experience with little regret and would probably do it again......................

[KpdPipes 388]

Don't worry this isn't a thread asking about crappy experiences with LEO's.

 

Good thing, I'd be typing for days.

 

Same here..but mine would be with Crappy Citizens...

[Malsua 1,422]

Don't worry this isn't a thread asking about crappy experiences with LEO's.

 

Good thing, I'd be typing for days.

 

Same here..but mine would be with Crappy Citizens...

 

What? You mean people aren't happy with you when you tax them for traveling 10 feet per second faster than an arbitrary statutory limit?

[rscalzo 3]

arbitrary statutory limit.... tax them for traveling 10 feet per second faster

 

Oh great. Another one that feels that rules don't apply to them. I'd be amazed if anyone actually was cited for going 7mph over the limit.

 

Not unlike the Free Staters up here. They have found a less have friendly welcome when they arrived expecting to change everything to there liking, especially anything that applies to the rules of law.

 

but mine would be with Crappy Citizens...

Actually I found the vast majority to be decent. It's just that contact is made during a period of stress bringing out the worst for a short time. But after a time, the good normally surfaces.

[Malsua 1,422]

arbitrary statutory limit.... tax them for traveling 10 feet per second faster

 

Oh great. Another one that feels that rules don't apply to them. I'd be amazed if anyone actually was cited for going 7mph over the limit.

 

 

Who said they didn't apply to me? I only said that most speed limits are arbitrary as well as often capricious. Travel in Germany where they don't rely rolling tax collectors for revenue and you'll see that the limits make sense. I haven't had a ticket since uhm...I guess maybe 96. It was for 72 in a 65 in PA on Rt 80. The road was dry, flat, straight and no cars were in front or behind me out to the horizon. The tax collector was bored and I was the only fish in the barrel.

[KpdPipes 388]

What? You mean people aren't happy with you when you tax them for traveling 10 feet per second faster than an arbitrary statutory limit?

Wouldnt know, i've never written someone for going less than 15 over..but nice way to ASSume there skippy.

[rscalzo 3]

I only said that most speed limits are arbitrary as well as often capricious

 

If you consider the fact they are set by state law and only an act of God and mounds of data get them changed.

 

If you actually were written for a 72 in a 65, it could only be because of the ACLU bumper sticker.

 

I in fact was written for less then ten over on Rt. 3 in Clifton back in 1970. I paid it and moved on. I wrote maybe one out of ten stopped even at ten over. I considered other factors before I put pen to paper. Much was the attitude and the associated operation along with any speed violations. Tolerance was greatly determined by the time and location.

 

I was always amazed by those that complain about speed violation. right up until the point someone roars down their street right by their kids. Then the world must come to a stop to address those violations. Why? Because as we all know, now it affects THEM personally.

 

If one bothered to actually check the flow of funds taken in from a violation such as speeding, one would find that the bulk of the funds go to the state and not the municipality itself. Only Town Ordinances and the funds from those violations actually stay in the town. Now factor in the cost of running a speed violation setup, the municipality is lucky to break even unless one can find a way to write 30 orso an hour. I was lucky to write two and hour.

 

No one made anything off of me.

[Maksim 1,504]

humn, great perspective. But if someone goes to the municipal court, pays the fine, or whatever, unsafe driving, or reduced speeding.... where does the money go, state or municipality?

 

Rules are rules, if speed limit is 55, and I am pulled over for 60... I am thankful if i dont get a ticket... unless I really wasnt going that fast. =)

 

Anytime we go over the posted speed limit, we accept the risk. unfair, perhaps, are the speed limits too low? perhaps. but it is the law on the books.

 

If speed limits were that much of a nuisance, I would move to Nebraska, South Dakota, or wherever it is, or was "reasonably prudent".

[Maksim 1,504]

btw, holy bring back the thread from the dead guys. lol.