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DSARGE wrote:If it's in your heart, GO FOR IT!! Take everyone's advice--as you asked for it, but don't pay attention to the naysayers. You don't want to be 90yr old and be saying to yourself--"what if?". Noone can truly answer the question but you. Whatever reason you have, if you feel it in your gut, you just have to make up your mind and do it--and you really have to want it as well as the lifestyle that comes along. Talk to some folks that do it/have done it. Ask them the pro's and cons.
Growing up, I always wanted to join the military and/or police. I was told by alot--including close family not to. I was not in "tip top shape" at the time, either. I went to college for a start in a career as a veternerian, but had the "fire" to do something more adventurous. I talked to some recruiters and figured out who had the best police program, and the rest is history. Something inside told me to "go for it", and I did and went full bore. I went in to Air Force Security Police (now Security Forces) and worked primarily in Air Base Defense or securing air bases in hostile environments. I have also had the opportunity to work investigations and law enforcement. I have went to several schools, including air assault, and sniper school. In 2001, I got into SRT (Special Reaction Team)--the military version of swat, and progressed on to marksman observer/designated sharpshooter, until I became a Military Training Instructor (AF Drill Instructor)in '04.
I am not trying to post a resume, but to let you know that if I can do it, anybody can. I have had one heck of a ride and enjoyed every single minute of it and am looking forward to the next 8 yrs until I retire and get a civillian job doing the same thing. I gave up alot--away from family, missing holidays and b-days, and "growing roots" somewhere. It has been tough on my wife, also--not to mention the odd and long hours and stress. The way I see it is someone has to do it, and I love it.
If this is what you want to do, research it and consider the pros and cons/ but don't let life pass you by if this is what you want in your heart. Good luck to you and PM me with any questions. Good luck!

srothstein wrote:Leaving aside the issue of whether or not you should become an LEO or something else, let me explain a little about police work to you.

There are many different levels of police work. There are very small towns, medium size cities, large cities, specialized agencies like the Park or Airport police, school district police, county sheriff's departments, state police (and that is a lot more than just DPS) and all of the federal stuff.

Each and every department sets their own rules on what is required to be a police officer and how far you can go, within certain minimums. Federal agencies do not need to meet the state required minimums, but most of them are higher requirements anyway. Almost all of the federal agencies require a bachelor's degree to get into.

The state of Texas says you need a clear criminal record (no class A or higher at all, no class B in the past 10 years), a physical exam to make sure you can do the job, a psychological exam, and either a high school diploma or a GED with 12 credit hours of college.

There are departments that require a bull to get on (mine is one if you are not already certified), ones that require varying amounts of college (anywhere from 15 to 90 credits), and some that require none. As a general rule, small towns have lower pay and lower hiring requirements as a general rule.

But, police work is not like military work or like what you see on TV, even with Cops and SWAT shows. It does require, as a job function, that you be able to deal with people and have some common sense and intelligence. There is a lot of writing in the job, so you better be able to write at least as well as a HS paper (good grammar and spelling).

There is some danger in police work, though I really do not believe it is a bad as most people think. They normally here about the rare cases where someone got hurt and never hear about the thousands of officer who worked their shift and the closest they came to danger was dying of boredom. Most officers go their whole career and never get into a shooting at all. More get hurt in fistfights, but it is still only a small percentage. OF course, if you do get in danger, it happens suddenly and is very dangerous.

If you are really interested in a police job, there are a few things you should consider. Check with your local department if they have a ride along program where you, as a normal citizen, can ride a shift with an officer. This will show you what a normal shift is like, especially if you do a weekday instead of a weekend. It will also get you to where you can talk to an officer about the choice. This is my first recommendation to help you decide if it is what you want.

If you do want a police job, there are two basic ways to go. You can apply to one of the major departments that has their own academy. That way you get academy training, and get paid for it.

Or you can go to a regional academy for your training. This means you pay for your own training and then look for a job after you get certified. There are always several police departments that are too small to pay for an academy for their cadets that will recruit in the regional academies for people like this.

But either way, if you decide to become a cop, you will need to be a very good student for the next six months or so. Academy training is not very easy usually, and counts for college credit in most cases. Many use real college professors to help teach the classes, if that gives you an idea what to expect in the academy.

govnor wrote:No one has mentioned money yet. It is widely held that LEOs do not make much money. I think this is primarily true. Small towns, prisons and other "starting" positions do not pay much. Someone mentioned $15 an hour for a jail guard. For a single guy that is doable. For most people, that isn't enough to live on. Especially if you want to have a family. I've heard of people quitting law enforcement when they had kids because of the pay.

Dallas starts at around $40k a year, which is not too bad. But is that an amount of money worth putting your life on the line everyday for? Some people definitely believe so and they do not do it for the money, that is for sure. Most cops end up taking other "security" positions for extra cash, and it's good money (we were paying $20 per hour back in '97), but it's also overtime beyond the forty hours a week where you are already risking your life.

I am not a LEO, but I have known many. Especially when I worked in security. I remember that they would complain about the pay and the politics all the time. The politics are probably the worst part of the job. They would tell me how they had to work 60 hour weeks to make ends meet. They worked as many hours as the lawyers in the building I was working in. Those lawyers made ten times what they did. They also pretty much looked down on them, as lawyers tend to do with everyone. They were a bunch of wusses compared with the cops, in my opinion.

With SWAT...you are on call all the time. There is no going out and drinking with the boys or anything. What if you're drunk and get a call? I know they have days off the pager, but believe me, it's probably like a couple of days a month or something.

The good paying jobs, such as Plano, Highland Park, stuff like that are incredibly difficult to get into. They'll have 9000 applicants for 100 jobs...or less. Same goes for SWAT. They only take the best of the best. It ain't an easy gig to get into. You'd almost have as much luck being a pro ball player or something. The odds are that great against it.

So considering that the money isn't very good, the hours are long and you might have a gun pointing in your face at any time. It would have to be something you want to do more than anything. I don't think you need straight A's to be on SWAT, like you do to be in the FBI, but you do need cojones bigger than most people have...

I'm not trying to discourage you. If you really want it, you might be able to make it. There's always the possibility of trying as hard as you can and not making it too. That's something you'd have to live with. Just being a regular LEO on the street is also a noble venture and something you'll have to do anyway before becoming a SWAT officer. I'd go down that road first. Who knows, it might be the best decision you've ever made.

carlson1 wrote:

NguyenVanDon wrote:This is a really hard decision for me because my mom is worried sick of me being shot at.

That is why she is a "MOM" you would not want her any other way.

NguyenVanDon wrote: My dad on the other hand doesn't care what I do, as long I got a stable job.

Hello! That is why he is "DAD" he just does not want to get you out of jail

NguyenVanDon wrote:what I really want to do no matter if the pay is low.

You may be surprised. I was shocked when I seen some of the jails started off at $15.00 an hour. My brother is not living low. Did you notice some of the homes on Dallas SWAT? - it ain't so bad living.

carlson1 wrote:NguyenVanDon God bless you for your desire. I am not one of those who feels SWAT or narcotics is a waste of time. Maybe it is because I spent 7 years in deep undercover. I know that I grew up in LE family. My dad retired after 37 years a Chief Deputy in Smith County, my sister just retired after 28 years at Smith County, my brother is a Major for Texas Parks and Wildlife (going on his 29th year). I started out working in the jail at 18. I spent 3 years working in jail at night going to college during the day. I graduated in a Secular College in 3 1/2 years. I also attended East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore Texas and graduated as valedictorian of my class. After working for 1 1/2 as a deputy I was accepted into the States Academy and started ALL over. It started in the jail. Many departments hire from the jail to the street. From the street to SWAT. I hope you meet your goals. That is what is great about this Country. You CAN DO ANYTHING you put your mind to - It just takes TIME. Your young hang in there and begin putting your applications in for some Detention experience. TDCJ, Private Prisons, City and County Jails - Just a thought keep pondering “SWAT� in your heart and don’t let anyone in on your secret. You remember when folks are in need that want some dope dealer they want the police. Crack Dealers are always welcome as long as they live across town, but when they move in next door then they want the NARCS and the SWAT and the KGB and anyone else who will help. Go for your dream!

Edit: To find a job - go here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&btnG= ... sults&cd=2

http://dallas.citysearch.com/yellowpage ... page1.html



Go in person, wearing a suit and tie, clean shaven, fill out the applications. Many departments still have some men of integrity and character and that makes an impression. A lot of departments have no requirments other than a High School diploma and some collge is a plus. By the way it helps if you have good credit, good driving record, and no arrest record for ANYTHING.
I hope this helps some.

KD5NRH wrote:

NguyenVanDon wrote:I've been looking into SWAT School. I've been watching Dallas SWAT on TV the last 2 seasons and I'm addicted to that show. I told myself I really wanted to go do what those guys do for a living.

Unnecessarily risking the lives of police and civilians to bust somebody for having a couple ounces of weed?

Wasting taxpayer money on things like this and this?

You'll have to be more specific.

KBCraig wrote:

NguyenVanDon wrote:I've been looking into SWAT School. I've been watching Dallas SWAT on TV the last 2 seasons and I'm addicted to that show. I told myself I really wanted to go do what those guys do for a living.

I'll try to break this to you gently... if you've never had a police job of any type (or even if you have), and you have such a burning desire to do what you see on "Dallas SWAT", then you're psychologically unsuitable to be a police officer of any type, much less SWAT.