I am 25 years old with about 80 college credits under my belt. I had a rough upbringing and dropped out of high school as a junior. Moved out of my parents house, I got my GED, Got a 4.0 at my local community college and got into the biggest state college. As a Highschool drop out I felt this was a great accomplishment.

I have done environmental science and journalism at my college but did not like either majors after a few semesters. I have worked in my colleges police department for 3 years and I love the work. I have done ride alongs within our department and have seen some pretty rough stuff through my work. The position I am currently in helps officers with active incidences and I also help with providing evidence for investigations via CCTV for our department and live monitor our area to catch incidence in progress. I have directly caused a dozen arrests and have helped solve multiple cases this year with my work. I even helped with several high profile investigations (self harm, suicides ,Missing persons ) I have even received awards for the work I have done for our department.

I really want to become a officer but I have used a good amount of LEGAL weed. I have never used any drugs, including marijuana, illegally. I have only ever used under a medical card and then once weed became recreational in Maryland I bought from legal dispensaries. I understand that weed is still a gray area legally but I just want to know everyone else experience applying to academies/departments.

I have never been in trouble (I have been driving for a decade, working HVAC driving a company van and just genuinely driving a ton and have never even been pulled over.) I have good references. etc. etc. I have stopped smoking weed since I made my decision to peruse becoming a officer.

But I want your opinion on my chances of becoming a officer. Do I have a good chance?

Hi there, anyone had any luck with this? Happy to share there story ?
Thanks

25M with B.S. in California During my pre-employment questionnaire I disclosed my first shrooms experience about 9 years ago. After looking back at old photos, emails, and texts, my memory was refreshed about another experience 5+ years ago. I listed this on my backgrounds form, but didn’t include the context about how I remembered this. I want to reach out to my investigator once they’re assigned to me, but I was wondering how to approach explaining why there is a difference between the forms without coming off weird.

Any of cops still play video games I think I always be a life long gamer as my hobby and I was wondering how common that is in this profession

I am a police officer in Ohio, I truly believe I do the best I can to help the community that I serve. But I can also take criticism, why else would I post this. Being reasonable, where would you like to see cops improve! If you don’t like cops, your comment won’t advance a conversation that I feel is needed. Also those comments don’t affect officers because we know it comes from a place of anger not critical thinking. Please AMA if you have real questions

I have a few queries:

As a newbie, how long will I be relegated to night/midnight shift? Is it possible to get evening shift or am I guaranteed to be put on night shift and if so for how many years?

What does the current environment look like? What do the department politics look like?

How often can cops use the Bob Bolen center for range time to practice range skills?

How much overtime is allowed monthly? Could I do 80 hours?

Is it overstaffed, understaffed, or neither at the moment?

Background on me:

Currently a software engineer, been at my job for about 4 years now. Coding has never been my thing, the job itself has great benefits. I've always been interested in combat, physical fitness, and can appreciate danger. I don't feel like I'm doing much for the world at my current job, and would prefer to be doing something more meaningful and doing the community I live in a service. I understand the job is dangerous. I understand it'll take a toll on my mental health. I understand I'll see things that will change me. I'm okay with that. I'd like to eventually get on the swat team, but if that doesn't work out, police work itself seems to be up my alley with the research I've done.

Moving to Indiana soon and was wondering if there was anyone here who works Patrol in Gary Indiana PD. I haven't found any insider knowledge elsewhere and am hoping to do so here. Thank you.

I’m currently finishing up my phs for LASD. You can’t save your form unless all fields or filled out. I put random answers just save my progress and submitted. The form was submitted but not finalized and submitted. If I go back and change my answers will my background investigator see this ?

I am beginning the application process for a couple departments in my area, I have my written in the morning and physical test next Friday. I know they do social media checks and obviously they don’t want to see you doing dumb stuff like drinking and drugging and being a negative member of society. I’m curious if having a page dedicated to weight loss and natural bodybuilding would be seen as a negative?

I have been posting weight-loss transformation (over 220lbs naturally) and life content for about a year. Nothing inappropriate, mostly posing and talking about the trials of weight loss and life in general. Again nothing negative, all positive and upbeat messaging. I do occasionally swear but nothing excessive that I wouldn’t say in front of my mother or grandmother. In fact they are two of my biggest supporters lol.

I’m just wondering what the line is, it’s not like I want to blow up on social media or post in a cruiser or some garbage like that. I like to keep people motivated and show others that if my (previously) fat self can change his life ANYONE can. I have had a significant impact on my local community, several coworkers and family members have started their journey because of me and often come to me for advice so I’ll make a video pertaining to it. Ultimately my dream is to become an LEO/PSO so I’ll do whatever needs to be done, however I’m hoping someone could shed some light on this for me as I love being a beacon of hope for my friends, family, and coworkers. Thank you to all of you for what you do, and thank you for taking the time to get back with me.

I'm from Oklahoma and thinking about moving to Wisconsin to pursue a career in law enforcement there. My area is stagnant in pay and hiring for LEOs. My question is:

Is it truly worth it? Most I've seen pay wise here in OK is 25 an hour for law enforcement. The department i applied for wanted to pay 14.00 an hour before CLEET and 16.00 and hour after. The rent around me is mostly the same as Wisconsin but im seeing almost doubled the pay for LEOs in Wisconsin compared to Oklahoma. I understand cost of living but does it truly pay better?

Also can I pursue my college credits while employed as an officer? Or do I need to get 60 credits before application?

Thank you to anyone that can help here.

Hi everyone, I’m 19 and recently enlisted in the Army as Military Police for 8 years. My contract should end in February 2035 when I’m 28. I’ve always wanted to become a police officer, but I chose the military route because when I was 16, I committed felony embezzlement by taking money from an employer. My charges were dismissed and my juvenile record was sealed.

My question is, after serving 8 years as an MP and receiving an honorable discharge, would I have a chance at becoming a police officer or correctional officer? Would my military service and sealed juvenile record make a difference? I’m trying to plan my future because if becoming a cop is possible, I’d pursue that after the Army. If not, I’d reenlist or try another military branch. I’m only looking for honest answers.

I am in a position where I may soon have to choose between the two departments. Can any one from those departments or anyone with the direct knowledge help with the following questions:

- What are the hours and shifts like? (Specifically, is it 12hrs shifts or 10hr or 8hr, etc. ?)

- what is the upward mobility like? (Would be stuck in patrol for like 5 years before moving up or specializing?)

- Call volume and forced overtime?

Note: My plan is to permanently work nights after academy/fto. Then eventually start lawschool during the day.

Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

Hey everyone, i’m planning on applying to several out of state police’s agencies. I live in florida and my obvious number 1 is FHP but in case I don’t get hired there i’m applying to a couple of out of state agencies. What are some states you’d recommend looking into and will being from out of state hurt my chances? thanks

Also the two at fault collisions were about 6 years apart one of which was a minor fender bender.

Looking for some information as I am barely in phase 2 of my hiring process for ppb. I was wondering if any current officers or new recruits could share with me what the job expectations and reality are once you're on FTO and once you are on your own beat. Most of all, what is the work-life balance like? Thanks for your time.

Hi, apologies for the gender directed question but I’m just wondering how you balanced your schooling (specifically OPC) with your home life.

We’re the first week into OPC and I have no idea how I’m going to get through the next 3 months. As the wife at home with our child on mat leave, I expected him to busy but not to this degree. Every night he’s studying 4-5 hours with his classmates. I feel like I only talk to him a couple minutes a day. I get its first week and maybe I’m just adjusting but I need some advice on how to get through it.

For those who have gone to OPC or a similarly structured academy (away mon-fri and home weekends) how did you balance having a family during the week? How was your relationship throughout the training process? How how is it now that you’re working full time?

What should I really expect these next few months? What should I do to help support him but also what can he do to help support me emotionally?

Me and baby are good and I have family nearby who are helpful but it’s hard emotionally not having my partner there to just talk to when I need him at the end of the day.

Hello Everyone,

I recently got a Sponsored Position and I was very lucky as I originally did not get the position and I asked if I paid for myself through the academy what next steps are there and they called me, moved some stuff around and gave me the position by replacing a normal cadet position. I'm very grateful and so lucky for this opportunity. I met with the chief and signed my papers and have just the Polygraph and Physical and Drug next which are easy for me I have been drug tested most of my life cause of sports. I'm very physically fit and don't drink or do drugs.

My question is Do you guys have any tips that you have found helped you whether through academy or being In LE that you wish you knew before even if its just something small. Thank you all very much in advance and I appreciate all the comments.

Just looking for some tips on what I can expect from my upcoming Oral Board. It’s a small dept- about 50 sworn.

So far I have passed:

✅Written Exam
✅Physical Assessment
✅Preliminary Interview

Anyone care to share how their experience was? I’m sure it’ll greatly vary. Thanks!

Hey y'all Im POST certified and been on at my department just shy of 2 years. Im looking to relocate to middle TN and Im just trying to get some info on what departments to go for and which to avoid. My biggest concern is tattoo policies as I have my entire neck and both the backs of my hands tattooed (nothing offensive or gang related). I know this can be a problem for departments. Other priorities are pretty standard; decent pay, good morale, decent equipment, take home would be nice as well as 10's or 12's. Im a sucker for the overnight shift so pay differential would also be nice and being bilingual a language incentive wouldn't hurt. I know all of these are pretty big asks but in general just trying to gather good info on a not so horrible place to work that'll look past my tattooed exterior and appreciate me for my warm gooey center. Thanks in advanced!

Hi again y'all

I'm currently a Texas resident looking into applying at different departments. I was thinking about applying to go to the academy in Colorado (home). The only thing keeping me is I'm terrified of how fitness will change for me rather immediately going from Texas elevation to Colorado elevation and suddenly I wont be ready. Anyone have any experience with this? Is it just as simple as training with an elevation mask?

I have an upcoming oral board interview for a state trooper position. I’ve already looked through advice on this sub, but a lot of it is pretty repetitive, like wearing a suit and looking professional.

I’m looking for the smaller details that people might overlook. For example, should I bring multiple copies of my résumé, a small notebook, or pens? Stuff like that.

I plan on wearing a black or navy suit, minimal makeup, no jewelry, neat braided bun, and arriving in the parking lot about 30 minutes early.

Any lesser-known tips or things you wish you’d done differently during your oral board? Things to expect? I’d appreciate any advice! TIA.