Currently a Cop for four years, in the NY metro area of the country. I’m four years in and honestly don’t think I can do this job for 20+ years. I’m burned out of the politics and liabilities from it. This is coming from a very proactive cop (multiple gun, warrant, drug arrests) not a slug at all lol.

I plan on marrying a very lovely lady in the next couple years and don’t want to put her or my future children through the stress of the job.

I’ve been thinking hard of different careers to get into. I don’t mind starting a new career and going back to school/seeking training.

My interests right now are accounting, construction, running a business, real estate. I’ve read Rich Dad Poor Dad and Psychology of money, those books have completely changed my ways of thinking lol.

Has anyone ever taken the leap of faith, if so what career did you get into ? Thank you in advance for responding 🙏🏻.

If you started at a non-traditional law enforcement agency and stayed there a majority of your career, what made you want to stay there and do you regret not working the road?

I am on season 5, so just a few shows from finished. Online, at least, its pretty well received and noted as being a gritty police show. I often here people talk about people calling The Rookie the paw patrol of police shows... I've never seen it.

Anyways, I know that hollywood is always going to place having an enticing show above reality. Still, I would imagine most of these shows have consultants. So, I'm wondering... what aspects are the most real and most fake?

Some things I've noticed...

The frequency of murders doesn't seem to match what they showed. In LA in late 00s, early 10s murders capped at about 300 per year city wide according to google. You would think that it was 2 or 3 per day based on what they showed. Also, from what I could find, retalitation killing for "snitching" isnt as predominant as they show; is that correct? I do appreciate that they don't follow the trope of one person doing everything like arrest, investigate, test DNA, etc. I also appreciate the human side they show. As a non LEO, I can only imagine how frustrating it is now to have every minute recorded and can only imagine how that plays into ability to be flexible. Cops should be allowed to get passed, tell people to stfu when it is appropriate, etc.

How about other things they show like personal life, cop parties, minor or somewhat understandable "corruption" in the name of the greater good/what is right.

Anyone have experience working a downtown/metro area vs random city/suburbs?

Comparison to other police shows?

Anyways, appreciate what you all go through despite so many not realizing the difficulties and dangers of job and just thinking every cop is misusing their power.

Hey everyone,

I’m super excited about the possibility of joining my local PD, but I received an email today letting me know I’m #42 on the candidate list.

I feel absolutely crushed by this news, given the department only has 10 vacancies and will continue to cycle in new applicants that could end up either ahead of or behind me as time goes on.

I’d love to hear your perspective on how good my chances are, if any of you have been in a similar position or if you have any recruiting experience.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: redacted some identifying information

Hello, I was hired with a very short notice to a department that requires residency within city limits. Fining an apartment isn’t my issue, it’s getting a drivers license within this short time frame (2 weeks) showing the new address. Paper license is fine, but having two forms of documentation in (Illinois) would require a lease. That’s easy. The other forms are more confusing and take time. These include utility bills and such. I’m unsure how to meet the second requirement to get drivers license with proof of city limit residency. If anyone has had this happen before, specially moving from out of town to join Chicago Police Department, PLEASE dm me.

Hello all, I’ve been debating the CHP or Kern County Sheriff for quite some time now. I applied and did tests for both already. I passed the pellet B for the Sheriff but not for the CHP I was off about 4 points. I still have a valid score report for the sheriff but I’m wondering about actual salary, over time (if any available), shifts, and all the good stuff. I only wonder because they have different tiers listed like “POST basic certification, POST intermediate certification, and POST Advanced certification.” As one would assume each one pays more than the other, so I guess my question is, how does one achieve “POST Advanced Certification”? CHP offers $128,000 right out the gate so that’s a bit hard to look past, however sheriff does have you at home right out the gate.

Let me know all of your thoughts, thanks you all.

- my partners parents have been separated for 8-9 years.

- FIL was arrested 9 years ago with Contribute Delinquency of Child, Agg assult, Battery - Dating Viol. (He threatened to kill her and she had to hide in a bathroom) a few years back. He and his wife separated after this. He doesn’t live with the family. He then got arrested two more times for DUI’s and resisting without violence.

- before the major arrest happened, she claims he had previously tried to smother her with a pillow/hand while he was intoxicated.

- Every so often he will get really scary and threaten her. She got a 3am text the other night stating he was going to try and get full custody of the younger kids amongst other things.

My partner and I live with the entire family. My mother in law has been planning to finally serve him with divorce papers. She’s also been on dating apps truing to find love again. We are all scared he’s going to snap and break in.

Any tips, advice, or encouragement welcomed.

I was just watching Fridays with Frank (cop YouTube guy) and he said his cutoff for stopping a speeder is 15 over. This got me thinking, what are other cop’s cutoffs? Im not a cop but I personally drive 7/8 over and feel safe (so like 72 in a 65).

Hi everyone! I'm an IB student working on my Global Politics Extended Essay about Flock Safety's automated license-plate recognition (ALPR) technology in the US, specifically looking at whether local oversight mechanisms effectively regulate its use.

I'm hoping to learn from people with different perspectives and would really appreciate any help connecting with:

• Journalists who have reported on Flock Safety, ALPR cameras, surveillance, data-sharing or privacy.
• US residents who live in communities where these cameras are used, or who have followed local debates about them.
• Government officials or law-enforcement representatives familiar with ALPR policies, data access, oversight or public accountability. Also officers who have any personal experiences they may want to share about the technology.

I'd ideally like to conduct a brief interview (around 10–20 minutes), either over email or a video call. I'm happy to share questions in advance, and I would only use responses for my school research with the participant's permission.

If you've worked on this issue, have relevant experience, or can point me towards useful contacts, reports or public records, I'd be very grateful. I'm posting here in hopes of finding active law enforcement officers who could help me at an official capacity. Thank you in advance.

I came across my local small PDs Facebook saying they were recruiting for a SGT and I was wondering how come they cant promote one of the officers already there? I know that some towns hire Chiefs from other departments if none of their officers have enough experience but how often is it done for other ranks like SGTs and LTs?

I’m week 6 on FTO as a Texas State Trooper. Not really liking the job and already want to resign, since I don’t think I'm good at the job. Everyone is telling me just finish FTO and give it chance. should I listen or just resign?

As title says.

I have what feels like damn near a herniated disk. I was wondering in terms of comfort and best way to mitigate back pain?

-I am already seeing massage therapists and chiros here and there. Chiro is more sparingly.

-I have cleared up all the space near the back of my belt. I have nothing on the back end of my belt

-I have a fully broken in Sam Browne leather duty belt, along with a kore padded belt which is pretty stiff.

-I have distributed the weight across my belt as well

Do any of you have any recommendations? Either between a backup brace/suspenders and belt recommendations that feels game changing?

Do I want the lumbar seat support on the explorer? When I push it inward toward me it feels agitating..

Thanks for reading yall

Long story short, while I was at work someone screamed a bunch of slurs at my girlfriend and said he'd kill her while I was at work and she was walking the dog. I'm not convinced much will come of it right away, but I'm thinking that it would at least cause there to be a paper trail if he does come up to hit one of us at some point later on. We have the time, language used and a description but no photo or anything. Pretty sure the guy lives in the same building as us as it happened right as he was coming out the door. She doesn't want to but I'm trying to convince her it'd be a good idea to anyway.

I regularly watch police body-cam footage (as do most non-LEOs on this sub) and I always stumble across intense footage where an officer is forced to draw their firearm. However, I’ve spoken with a few officers I know personally and they cannot stress enough how uncommon it is for them.

I know it depends on the location, so I’m more directing this towards officers who work in highly populated areas, major cities, etc.

Bonus question: what is the process like if you are forced to draw your firearm? Assume you don’t fire any shots. Do you have to file a separate report for drawing your pistol?

Thank you guys for ur service 🙏

I’m currently in the police academy and trying to decide between two agencies.

Agency A has given me a start date in about a week. It pays around $5 more per hour, but the commute would be approximately 45 minutes to an hour each way. I would get a take-home vehicle after completing FTO.

Agency B is located in the county where I live, so the commute would be much shorter. However, I only have a conditional offer and still need to complete the background investigation, psychological evaluation, and other steps before receiving a final offer.

Given the circumstances, which agency would you choose? Would you take the higher pay and guaranteed start date with Agency A, or wait for Agency B, knowing there’s still a chance the offer could fall through? (I don’t expect it too but anything could happen)

Is an hour each way too much of a drive??

I’d appreciate any advice, especially from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Hello, are there any ISP Troopers I could message regarding the oral interview process? Thank you.

I’m a new cop working night shift, looking for recommendations on a good body worn light, primarily for searching vehicles for drugs during nighttime traffic stops.

I’m looking for your recommendations on something with a high lumen output that allows me to keep both hands free. Ideally, something compact, durable, and easy to attach to my uniform or outer carrier.

I already carry handheld flashlights, but I’d prefer something hands free for searches or when my hands need to be both free. I’m currently using the Olight Oclip Ultra 2, but last night the battery didn’t last long enough and died mid search. I ended up having to use my handheld flashlight in my non dominant hand while continuing the search with just one hand.

Thank you in advance.

Hello all, I am looking to join the reserves as an armour soldier, but also want to become a civilian police officer in Ontario, I currently work as a mechanic and am close to my red seal, which career should I pursue first? I would assume it would be easier to start with the reserves as it would be easier to get time off from to do whatever I need for policing, than the other way around. If there is anyone in here who does both, how did you do it? Any tips about either career, and just what to expect, thanks.

What 3D prints have you found useful on patrol? I have a few things on my vest, wondering about for in the cruiser

I’ve only applied at two departments one of them being my hometown department. This is because I mainly I want to work at a good department not just any. Well…the second department I applied was the next city over… I had my interview two weeks ago and today I go in so I can sign the paperwork to get my background started.
Here’s some of my concerns…
Every single officer I tell “hey i think I may work here” they all kinda makes a face/have something negative to say. “That’s a bad department”, “they are always hiring” “shit city” and now I’m kinda overwhelmed? I mean not a single positive thing… I wish I was exaggerating.

I want to start my career but I also want to stay with my first department for a long time.

Pros-
It’s my first police interview
Sargent seemed nice

Cons
- Nothing but negative feedback back from experienced officers
- 1hr and 12min drive from me… being the rookie I know I’ll have shorty shifts. And winter starts very soon…
- I will have to move… it will be difficult for the first year until I save enough money to move.

Ultimately I just want the hassle of the drive and long days to be worth it.

Would you take it?

So I’m in Minnesota and I’m about halfway through my Peace Officer Education AAS degree. I’m looking at trying for my local sheriff’s department or state patrol. I like the idea of being local for my community, so does my fiancé, but I like the idea of being in the state patrol. Just looking for any opinions for insight.

Hey guys,

Posting here for the first time. I'm looking to join the San Francisco Police Department and wanted to see if any current SFPD or Bay Area officers had some guidance or insight into the current academy pipeline.

My background:

• Military: USAF Cyber Transport Veteran (3D1X2). Held a Top Secret clearance (expired now). Deployed once under Force Protection, so I got to spend a lot of time working directly with Security Forces.
• Background: Squeaky clean. Never even gotten a speeding ticket.
• Physical: I do BJJ, Judo, parkour, tricking, and bboy powermoves. Athletics and the PAT shouldn't be an issue for me.
• Written: English is my first language and I've been studying the new 2026 POST material. My PELLETB is scheduled for November 18th.

I actually own a home right in the SoMa neighborhood. Living here has made me really want to get directly involved with protecting and bettering my immediate community, and given my background, I thought there was no better way to serve than to join SFPD.

Would love to hear any tips for the oral board or academy prep from people who know the department, or connect with anyone currently on the job out here. Thanks!

Hello. Today was my first commissioner's meeting after a promotion. Our county is over budget and our LEC is in a retention and pay slump because we have larger cities so close by who pay more. I guess I'm looking for fundraiser ideas, or if anyone has had a similar experience and figured out a successful way to bring in more money. I know raising taxes is the obvious way, but I thought maybe reaching out to others with years behind the belt could be a good idea too.