Police Officers ONLY... Do you enjoy your job? Any advice for those considering a career as a cop?

If you are not a police officer, please don't waste my time answering this question. Thanks.Police Officers ONLY... Do you enjoy your job? Any advice for those considering a career as a cop?
Its like any other job. Its what you make of it. Its how happy you are with yourself. if you truly enjoy being a cop, going to work is a positive experience.


I know plenty of guys who are miserable, complainers etc and pull the pin as soon as they reach retirement age. They are like a black cloud, trying to rain on everyone else. For them, its not the ';job';, its themselves. They would be miserable anywhere and often are.


But for everone of them, I know many more who stay on 30, 40 even 50 years.





Right now, in my county, there is a guy with 49 years on. He is 70 and fights them every year to get a waiver to stay on.


He is happy, a joy to be around and loves life.





it all depends on who you are and how well adjusted you are.





If you get into police work becuase you think its going to be like TV, you will be upset.





If you get into it for that one child you may save or the directions you will give to a lost driver..then you will enjoy it.





Also, have a LIFE. KEEP friends who are not cops. Do not surround yourself with cops off duty. Get a hobby that has nothing to do with law enforcement. Stay out of the bars and don't do the 4 to 4's ( working til 12 then drinking til 4 with the 'boys';)





Make it what it is...a job, not your life. It can be fun, it can be exciting. It is also 95% boredom and routine, but, you also have front row tickets to the greatest show on earth. You will laugh, you will cry.





Good Luck.Police Officers ONLY... Do you enjoy your job? Any advice for those considering a career as a cop?
The excitement of the job will keep you going for the first couple of years. Once you get used to that, it comes down to how well you get along with your co-workers and supervisors, just like any other job.





I still enjoy the fact that every day I show up, I have no idea what is going to happen next.





As far as advice... I've never seen any other job where the actions of so few bad people an affect the public perception of the entire profession. Make sure you are one of the good ones.