joining the elite LAPD

bigballin · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 10:26 AM

starting january, i will be attending police academy for the los angeles police department to be a police officer. im training like crazy right now so wish me luck please!

Rex322 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 12:28 PM

congrats! good luck!

dfreeman1313 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 01:08 PM

Good luck with it. It's tough but can be very rewarding. Few people can do police work and not let it negatively effect their lives. Focus on the positive, do your job, then go home with your family.

When I was in field training, an Agent 4 told me, "Don't go out there and try to change the world. The world don't want changing. Go do your job then go home to your family". That's the best advice I've ever heard in this field.

Be safe.

Heidi · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 01:20 PM

Good luck to you and much respect goes to you.

jojo6199 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 01:45 PM

I used to be an emergency services dispatcher in a smaller department and the advice dfreeman gave you in bang on! The best officers I worked with knew their own limits as a person and a police officer and kept it in perspective. They weren't out to save the world or thought their badge and gun made them any better than anyone else. They were just good people trying to help their community be a better place to live in. Funny enough these were the cops in the department that didn't end up with drinking problems, multiple divorces, stress induced ailments, complaints from the public, etc. They were also the ones that us dispatchers liked the most and felt most confident sending out to any type of call.

Congratulations on your career choice!

dfreeman1313 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojo6199

They weren't out to save the world or thought their badge and gun made them any better than anyone else.

emphasis added by me!

I can't stand those kind. They are the worst of the worst. That kind of arrogance makes me SICK. That gun and badge means you have a responsibility to SERVE and PROTECT...not be served.

jojo6199 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 06:13 PM

Got it right in one dfree!

One of the best cops I ever worked with said to me that the uniform, badge and gun shouldn't change who you are...either you were a decent guy before you put them on or you're not....and if you're a jerk...you are still just a jerk with a uniform, a badge and a gun! (personally I don't like a jerk with a gun but hey that's just me LOL)

jojo6199 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 06:14 PM

Got it right in one dfree!

One of the best cops I ever worked with said to me that the uniform, badge and gun shouldn't change who you are...either you were a decent guy before you put them on or you're not....and if you're a jerk...you are still just a jerk with a uniform, a badge and a gun! (personally I don't like a jerk with a gun but hey that's just me LOL)

Oh btw being a cop he didn't actually use the word "jerk" but I edited for the forum LOL. They do tend to use ummmm more earthier descriptive words!

Alika · #9 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 06:46 PM

Congratulations and good luck!

I have a lot of respect for people who go into law enforcement. I could never do it, myself... I don't have nearly enough of the right kinds of courage... and I'm not just talking about going up against bad guys with guns. My grandpa is a retired cop, and he tells horrible stories about some of the awful stuff he's seen... the things that people do to themselves, their kids, and other people... the conditions people live in... a whole lot of heart breaking stuff.

We need more really good cops.

dfreeman1313 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alika

Congratulations and good luck!
I have a lot of respect for people who go into law enforcement. I could never do it, myself... I don't have nearly enough of the right kinds of courage... and I'm not just talking about going up against bad guys with guns. My grandpa is a retired cop, and he tells horrible stories about some of the awful stuff he's seen... the things that people do to themselves, their kids, and other people... the conditions people live in... a whole lot of heart breaking stuff.
We need more really good cops.

Well to get good cops you need to get good people. The problem is the pay is very low and a lot of times not worth it. If a bad guy come up with gun to shoot you and you are fortunate to shot him first, it's not over. First, they lauch a CRIMINAL investation against YOU...then comes all the lawsuits filed against YOU personally. After all that...you still have to live with the fact that you took a life. Even if this never happens to you...you see all sorts of stuff that most people aren't supposed to see. This is why I say very few people can do this job. Those that can often don't stay long because of the financial burden and the everyday stresses.

Alika · #11 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 07:12 PM

I agree entirely.

louise · #12 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 07:51 PM

good luck and best wishes to you. my best friend is a cop

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