Can I make it?

[Sarge405]

You realize by the time I would begin applying to police departments, I'll be 24. And I don't know how much you remember about being young, but an extra 3 years from 21 to 24 is a lot. I am sure I'll be a lot different person then than I am now, just the same that I am a much different person now at 21 than I was at 18. I just can't help but feel that some of you here are up on a huge soapbox

I can't help but answer this with a little logic. How can anyone give an opinion based on future character? What you might become? We can only base our answers on a persons current and past behavior. Whether taken ernestly or ignored is up to you.

Here is a contemplation, we are considered a "paramilitary" force. That did not work out for you too well. My gut feeling is the separation issue was just a part of the problem. Now, suppose you applied, were hired and went through the academy. Now your in field training and your FTO is out sick and there is a manpower shortage so you are put out alone in your sector. 2am, radio call of hit and run, tinted SUV which you now see and stop. You call it in, Occupied 4x, guess what?Local gangbangers. Violent. They are out of the vehicle. What are you prepared to do?

Its just for you to think about. We face that. You will too. Sometimes backup may not be there. There are some that think wearing a gun and uniform is glamorous. Wait until you run down a ravine chasing a suspect, tackle him in the mud. Or hit the asphalt in a fight. One trying to grab your primary wepaon and the second pummeling your face. Can you handle that? Then dust yourself off, put on a new uniform, get back out there and smile at the little old ladies?

[PlatoKnowsBest]

I can't help but answer this with a little logic. How can anyone give an opinion based on future character? What you might become? We can only base our answers on a persons current and past behavior. Whether taken ernestly or ignored is up to you.

Here is a contemplation, we are considered a "paramilitary" force. That did not work out for you too well. My gut feeling is the separation issue was just a part of the problem. Now, suppose you applied, were hired and went through the academy. Now your in field training and your FTO is out sick and there is a manpower shortage so you are put out alone in your sector. 2am, radio call of hit and run, tinted SUV which you now see and stop. You call it in, Occupied 4x, guess what?Local gangbangers. Violent. They are out of the vehicle. What are you prepared to do?

Its just for you to think about. We face that. You will too. Sometimes backup may not be there. There are some that think wearing a gun and uniform is glamorous. Wait until you run down a ravine chasing a suspect, tackle him in the mud. Or hit the asphalt in a fight. One trying to grab your primary wepaon and the second pummeling your face. Can you handle that? Then dust yourself off, put on a new uniform, get back out there and smile at the little old ladies?

This post makes me doubt a lot about myself. I am starting to think I don't belong in this profession... have you been getting that vibe all along?

[GirlInBrown]

This post makes me doubt a lot about myself. I am starting to think I don't belong in this profession... have you been getting that vibe all along?

Yes....
And I could be wrong here..but it sounds like you came here looking for answers you are not getting....what you are getting however, is suggetions and advice from people with years of experience and first hand knowledge of what this job is all about...but yet could never fully explain to you in words in a post...you either have it in you or you don't. Just from reading over all the posts here, I think you may be confused by what you want. Stay in college, figure yourself out and good luck.

[lewisipso]

Originally Posted by Sarge405
I can't help but answer this with a little logic. How can anyone give an opinion based on future character? What you might become? We can only base our answers on a persons current and past behavior. Whether taken ernestly or ignored is up to you.

Here is a contemplation, we are considered a "paramilitary" force. That did not work out for you too well. My gut feeling is the separation issue was just a part of the problem. Now, suppose you applied, were hired and went through the academy. Now your in field training and your FTO is out sick and there is a manpower shortage so you are put out alone in your sector. 2am, radio call of hit and run, tinted SUV which you now see and stop. You call it in, Occupied 4x, guess what?Local gangbangers. Violent. They are out of the vehicle. What are you prepared to do?

Its just for you to think about. We face that. You will too. Sometimes backup may not be there. There are some that think wearing a gun and uniform is glamorous. Wait until you run down a ravine chasing a suspect, tackle him in the mud. Or hit the asphalt in a fight. One trying to grab your primary wepaon and the second pummeling your face. Can you handle that? Then dust yourself off, put on a new uniform, get back out there and smile at the little old ladies?

This post makes me doubt a lot about myself. I am starting to think I don't belong in this profession... have you been getting that vibe all along?

Sarge's comment isn't something that normally happens just once. This type of thing can and does happen numerous times in a persons career. If you are doubting yourself after just reading this in a post stay in school and explore other career prospects.

[Sarge405]

This post makes me doubt a lot about myself. I am starting to think I don't belong in this profession... have you been getting that vibe all along?

Yes sir I have. Some just aren't made for it. I am not made to be a doctor or physicist. Whatever you find your great at, be the best. Succeed and excell at it and life will be a wonderful experience.

[ex401mp]

You(Jks) talked about how the police have to be the calm voice when the world goes to shit. Well, I hope you guys talk to people on the streets better than this, with your holier than thou attitude. I bet you wouldn't be taken so seriously.

I just don't think I'm getting a fair shake here, and I have no trouble voicing it.

I have to tell you, it pissed me off to read that from you. I am sure that by now that you have realized that you have over stepped yourself with these two statements. As a FTO (for over 9 years), if you came to me for training with either one of these attitudes, I would wash you out of the program. Any cop who has been there and done that would not put up with some FNG having ANY attitude with them, nor would they care about any opinions that you may have. You earn that right with experience and time. This was true when I was a soldier for 9 years and the 14 years that I have been here. I hope you take the advice and info you had asked for to heart and get yourself squared away. To do otherwise would be a waste of any agency's time that hires you and your own time.

[E-man]

Plato, remember that you are not going to be the only applicant {thats still a far off time frame} for a police poisition. Picture YOU being the recruiter or hiring personnel.
Someone unable to finish basic, some drug experimentation, etc compared to a person same age etc but did complete basic, no medical issues, no drug experimentation
Who would YOU want to hire?
I got lucky 16 years ago, like ChesCop said, PA is big on military preference, I got hired being a college drop out, NO military and the usual stuff in high school etc. Ive never let them down.

[Lucky Seven]

Ugh.... there I go again.

I think if nothing else, this thread proves that I have a ways to go. If I applied today I wouldn't be ready, not by any means. However, I also hope it proves that I can get there if I do what I need to do. If anyone else has anything they'd like to add, please do, but I've heard all I need to hear really. Unless anyone has anything new that already hasn't been said, or something else that I need to hear.

I think you have a grasp of the communications presented in this thread, now.

Nobody was trying to put you down, make fun of you, or dissuade you from your goal. However, based on your questions and subsequent responses you received very honest and forthright replies from folks that have already been there and done that. Your reaction was to get upset.

Being in LE is not glamorous, fun, or publicly applauded. You have the public criticizing your actions, supervisors evaluating your actions and performance, DAs evaluating your reports and testimony, defense attorneys picking you apart, and judges evaluating what you testify to and how you testify. You will constantly be second guessed for your actions or lack thereof, work shift work, long hours, and see the worst that society has to offer. Under all these circumstances you will have to maintain your composure, think rationally during highly stressfull situations, and based on the law, and logical implementation of it, you will have to make rapid decisions that can and will affect other people's lives. This is a stressful job. The other responses were questioning the logic of your proposed solutions to certain impediments that you presented as issues that might preclude you from a career in LE which in turn led your responses to become defensive and semi-inflamatory in nature.

Thus bringing us back to the first sentence in the post you wrote that I quoted above....

I think you have answered your own question.

In response to your original question:

1. Your background, as presented, has issues. Are those issues sufficient to preclude you from obtaining employment in LE? Only your current and future actions, efforts, and indiscretions will provide an answer, in addition to the policies of the department you apply to.

2. If your statments regarding the marijuana is honest (and for purposes of this post we will assume that you are a truthful person) then I would be more concerned about your military discharge. It directly relates to your ability to perform, at an acceptable level and in an appropriate manner, during the highly stressful, emotional, inflamatory, and dangerous situations you will encounter as a LEO.

I truly believe that some self evaluation is warranted. Be honest with yourself. How have you done in the past when presented with very stressful situations. What have you done to improve your ability to respond to and handle the stress you felt in the military and other situations?

I suggest that you continue with your college education, live your life in an honorable and lawful manner with the goal of becoming employed in LE, if you honestly believe that LE is the career you really want.

Read all of the posts above, over and over, until it provides you with an understanding of the state of mind necessary to acheive your goal and what issues need to be resolved to acheive your goal.

Then, go get it done. Or, if LE is not for you then lead your life in an honorable and lawfull manner and find another profession that will be gratifying.