I was a small town cop for 1 year before I joined the military.Did that for 4 yrs and have been in college for 3 semesters now......I am bored...I need some thrill back in my life. I do have a small limp due to a road side bomb and schrapnel still in my groin.....what do you folks think. I should have learned my lesson and stay away from violence, or get back on the saddle and beat up some local scum?

I say...go get them tiger !!
looks like you like LE so go for it. You only live once..

Only you can decide that, and after some SERIOUS soul-searching.
My son-in-law used to be a small town cop in the N/W suburbs of Chicago. After discussing several scenarios I told him that I was glad he never had to stop me for something. When he asked why, I told him that by the time all was said and done one of us probably would have shot the other. He was a classic example of a young eager-beaver given a badge and gun, and ready to clean up Tombstone. I asked him if he was ready to give a ticket to the Police Chief, or even better the Chief's wife. He said no, because it would just get tossed out. Then I said "that's why you wouldn't want to stop me - The Chief or his wife is no better than me". He would have been hard-headed enough to get rough, then all Hell would break loose. And I am nowhere near as violent as so many citizens.

I have settled down quite a bit since my first run as an officer, but your son-in-law is right about writting tickets to certain folks, you can't take the POLItics out of POLIce! I have a friend who wrote the president of the Universities wife a speeding ticket and was suspened for a very minor violation that would normally has been overlooked.

Years ago, my ex-father in law worked for the Cook County Sheriff's Office, first as a bailiff and moved up to supervisor. He got his first job as a result of knocking on doors and working for the Democratic Committeeman. The more I heard about what went on in the Sheriff and Police Departments, the more I wondered who the bad guys really were. In the ******* Township Democratic Party rallies were several known mob guys. They all supported the Cook County Sheriff. I had seriously thought about getting in Law Enforcement, but just couldn't "sell my soul to the devil". Things worked out best in the long run.

Since the begining of law enforcement and it isn't about to change....play the game and you should be alright!

That's just what the Mafia says!

Except they have more organization!

True - and the penalties for stepping out of line are more severe!

I miss the excitement of the chase.....I like school, but it bores me!

Sounds like you need to go hunting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> TRY to nail a whitetail with a big rack - good luck! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

You talking about my wife or a deer? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Whatever works for you big guy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Don't do it GF, i know some good people who have become cops, and none of them are good people anymore -- and some of them are my relatives aack! but really, who needs all the rules and the drama and the b.s... besides, it's more fun on this side of the law, tee hee...

You tell him dogg!

+1 on what dog said!!!


BUT

If it is what ya REALLY wanna do, then go for it!!!

I was the first in my family to sit in the "Front" seat of a police car....It really isn't a bad job...I am just getting bored, after everything I have done to just go to school and be a sheep again is KILLING ME!!!

Holy Smokes GF - you sound like you're almost ready for the "rubber gun squad" already! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Just because you aren't wearing a uniform and sporting a badge doesn't mean you are a sheep. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />

GF - have you ever considered becoming a Game Warden ? A Cop in the Great Outdoors!

Oh yeah!!! I just got some contact information on that today!

I say go for it. There are ton of low life dregs out there and we can always use more police officers. I applaud those who step up, police and military. I have two relatives who are police, one a reserve on the Ovila force, and like sr77dog said, he is not good people, but he was not good poeple before he was police. But he gets my support for doing the job. My fathers cousin was police chief in Segoville, an arms instructor for the FBI and worked security for the Rail Road before he got his law degree and became a lawyer. The one job he always wanted to do was a game warden. They carry lots of power <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I have one cousin stationed somewhere in Missouri that flew A10's in the sandbox and my other cousin is now teaching officer school in Alabama for the Air Force. He applied for a job that sent him to school for two years to get his PHD so he could teach. He has a cush job now. But I ramble..........

Good luck to you

Cerberus <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Game warden's an idea -- and better scenery... Or another idea, i have some friends who were LRPs in Vietnam and wanted to still fight the fight, but on their terms, so they contract privately to the gov't, as a 3 or 6 person team depending on the job, doing things like hostage extraction, armed stand-off resolution, etc. basically like a cross between private investigators and a s.w.a.t. team. They needed a point man a while back... I don't know, just an idea, something like that might be fun and definitely satisfy the need for an adrenaline fix...

That would be a huge rush...it's like riding motorcycle 200mph for months , then to come back here and go mainstream...it is depressing.....the thrill is gone. Game Warden does look like it could be fun, around here during hurricane season!

Technically, here in Missouri they are empowered to uphold any law in the state. How's that for a power trip ?!

Sounds a little to free to do as you please!.....They seem to hold quite a few cards!

They do ! Around here, game laws are really enforced. Plus, they occassionally help out in drug busts as well.

This is a great idea. You could then point the rest of us to good hunting spots.

You might also consider finishing school and train other cops.

Best of luck with you decision

Dan

If he became a Game Warden, he could more likely use his Yard knives in the line of duty ! Plus do some pre-season scouting - for poachers of course. He would also have to monitor the quality of lakes, rivers, and streams by fishing them in order to find out first hand how the fish are doing. What a GREAT job !!!

In many states a four year degree is a requirement, preferably in Natural Science. And a little political clout never hurt either !

Yeah, I am going for the combination 1 year Law Enforcement, 4 years Military (1 combat tour), and 3 years of college. Between that I hope I could squeeze in!

You can apply, but they will probably tell you to finish school first.

[censored] the MAN! I want in...NOW

Well GF, a lot of us want BOWIES now, but I guess we just have to wait.
Hey Dan - where are those BOWIES ?

OR Trash Can..... what insight can you give us?

If I were single, this is what I would do:

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2677403?showw=no&refsite=6721&htv=12

I think they said the pay was $30K a month

Now that would be great single!!!

Hey Squirrel - good to see you again ! Did I tell you that I really like your avatar ?

Thanks- Hammy is my new hero.
Been a rough month, spent the entire month workin 12 - 16 hour days without a day off. Some people on our crew have put in a couple 20 hour days. We finally got a 3 day weekend and boy do we need it.

GF- good luck making your mind up. Me personally, I know if I am carrying a gun, that means someone else is carrying a gun to use against me. Being dead goes against my plan of growing old with my family. I have 13 years in the AF and might be walking after this enlistment. The deployments are getting to difficult on family life.
I often think of doing SHP but I think that is more dangerous than being in the military.

Squirrel, AF after 13 years....do your 7 and retire! then it will be easier for anything else you choose!

I am scheduled to go to a unit that deploys 300+ days a year to Iraq and Afghanastan (sp?). My family is having problems with the current deployments I am doing. A retirement check isnt worth a broken family, IMHO.

Look at the long term benefits....what kind of AF unit deploys 300+ days a year....I would do some actual looking into that!

A unit that provides forward deployed radar and communications systems. 1 of only 3 such units stateside. There are several people I am stationed with that just came from there and they are all saying the same thing. They dont have an AEF bucket, they are on there own deployment cycle.

How much longer would you be doing that...Look at how much time you have in.....After all the crap your family has already been through....a few more isn't going to hurt..An understanding wife is very difficult indeed, and I don''t know the full extent of your circumstances....but I would finish it out or get intouch with IG or someone high on the totem pole and get a different unit!

I could prolly get an asignment change based on career field changes I have undergone but I am ready to go to Permant Civilian Status ( A true PCS). The only thing I will miss about the military is the healthcare. This will be my 8th assignment so the chances of me pcs'ing again are very slim. Even if I did base of preference I would be in that unit at least 4 years. I think I am ready to lead a normal life.

Oh, after the military...life is never normal...I miss it dearly...the brotherhood, everyone worked the same schedule....so we would all get together every weekend and BBQ or go to the lake...here in "Normal" life...everyone has different lives and no time to bond...it is kind of depressing...another reason I am looking forward to Policing again....the lifestyle. I talk to my old platoon brothers more than I talk to some of the folks I go to school with. You have nothing in common with anyone anymore, you change.....they all stay the same......

Squirrel - I admire your devotion to your family, and have to agree with your decision. A military lifestyle is not for everyone, especially families with children. It takes a special individual to put his family's best interest ahead of his own. Best of luck to you and your family. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

By the way, thanks to you, Gravelface, and all the other great folks who serve our country ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Jason - I know where you're coming from, believe me ! It takes a LONG time for things to fall in place, but they will. It took me that same long time, but now I am happier than I had been at any other time in my life. Staying in touch with your fellow veterans helps, along with a good understanding wife. Hang in there! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

After 13 years....it would be hard to stop.

Yes, but part of being a good man is knowing when to say "enough is enough" and having the courage to do something about it. Besides, although the retirement pension is enticing, you won't get to enjoy all of it if you end up going through a costly divorce with support payments, etc.

With his experience in his military field, Squirrel could probably land a decent job in a good area to live. Sounds like his family would be much happier in a scenario like that. I truly wish him and his family the best !

Absolutly, nothing but the best!

I figure life is too short, it is a great thing to have an ambition, go do whatever you think will make you happy and not p*** off the wife too much! Family should always come first though.

What if the wife is a loon who brings you misery...not mine, but a good friend of mine...Really..I love my wife..Don't give me those dirty looks!

Oof, she sees that you are in the spare room tonight mate!

No...really..it is not her....April makes me happy.

You sure looked happy in that picture she uses for an avatar! And I still say she's pretty cute too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'll second PK on that one!

I just found out that the College Campus Police start at 15 an hour...not too bad for what they do....

That is exactly how one of my High School class mates got started in Law Enforcement. It opened the door for him when he later joined one of the town's PD. If you are seriously interested, this could be a great opportunity for you! Good luck Jason.

You could a part-time campus cop and still do your studies there! No more caffeteria queuing! Just think...

I just hope that if Jason should go this route he doesn't demand that we address him as Officer Gravelface! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />