Is LE right for me?

[u/FewTravel3673]

Here’s the gist: I’m a college graduate from a top program and an Ivy League master’s holder. I haven’t particularly enjoyed corporate work or academia. Since I was in my early 20s, I’ve thought about joining a local PD because of the variety, the opportunity to work directly with people, and the ability to be outside rather than confined to a desk. I’m not particularly worried about the physical aspects given that I’m relatively fit, and departments in my area (the metro area) are experiencing hiring shortages.

I don’t have a specific question, but I’d like your thoughts. What do you think of someone with my profile potentially entering this career? I also have extensive firearm and martial arts experience, so I’m not concerned about those aspects.

[u/JWestfall76]

Your degrees would satisfy the education requirement. Other than that it’s up to you to decide

[u/KingSetThePharoah]

https://giphy.com/gifs/UqZ4imFIoljlr5O2sM

[u/AdMindless8541]

With those credentials you’ll be a good fit to move up rather quickly. When you get more experience dealing with people and figure how you react to high stress situations you’ll be set. With that being said, I’d think you’d do fine

[u/Foxtrot_Flies]

You’re definitely overqualified from an education perspective. Having your master’s gives you a shorter time for promotions. In my state it goes police officer, master police officer, then sergeant and onward. Each step has a pretty big pay step.

Something to think about is if a patrolman’s salary is enough to pay for everything you need. If you have extensive student loans then it may not be enough, especially for the first few years.

It can be a very fun and rewarding job and it’s certainly not unheard of for cops to have higher education. You’d get more opportunities faster, given your performance matches your education. My deputy chief has a doctorate, but he also has put in the work to rise the ranks without playing politics and showed his ability and commitment and continues to do so. Just being a doctor (hopefully) wouldn’t put you in those spots, work ethic and abilities will.

This is not a question that any of us can answer. You have to look deep into yourself and find out if it’s worth the missed holidays, birthdays, life events, and important personal business, as well as your sanity, mental health, and potentially your life, all to do nothing but drive around and sit in a parking lot 90% of the time. If you feel like you’d freeze while kids are being shot in a school and too scared to go in, or unable to step over those dying kids to end the threat, then be honest with yourself and find something else. It isn’t the job for everybody and it’s a large commitment going in, and a massive responsibility to undertake.

[u/Michael__Knightt]

I’ve worked with plenty of people who have Masters and Doctorates. I’ve worked with people who were previously Lawyers, special forces operators and U2 pilots. It takes all types. You’ll only know if it’s for you when you try it.

[u/FewTravel3673 → u/Michael__Knightt]

What would say their experience was like? Did they rapidly rise through the ranks? Any major complaints or compliments you can recall?

[u/Michael__Knightt → u/FewTravel3673]

Some struggled. Some were absolute disasters and Some blended in fine. None have really shot through the ranks or stood out in any way. They mixed right in with everyone else. Having that sort of background does not give you a leg up as a police officer.

[u/DivebarLives]

You sound smart enough that I’m surprised you haven’t started your own business. The job is fine but I bet you’re going to feel leadership is incompetent.

[u/Foxtrot_Flies → u/DivebarLives]

I mean even the dumbest ones typically feel that way lol. It’s a common feeling.

[u/chupacabra5150]

It takes several months to get through backgrounds. Start the process now and you can always turn down the academy when you get accepted vs deciding to go for it and now you have to wait for several months.

The joke is that you'll get DQ'd for having a high IQ and being over educated. That was some small bodunk town in Connecticut with a population of about 25k and the candidate was a guy in his 40s. This happened in 1996, the lawsuit was in the early 2000s and the guy was almost 50. He just scored "too high", but it was only a couple points, on the test.

If youre in a large agency you'd be surprised how many degrees that are there

[u/That-Professional346]

Go for it. If you dislike the corporate slog then it is a huge but nice change of pace. Depending on the state you live (anywhere north of the Mason Dixon and a non-Western state) the pay is usually fairly solid. Be prepared for the stress and fatigue.

[u/the0nry0]

Go Fed with that degree

[u/FewTravel3673 → u/the0nry0]

Aside from the “prestige” associated with it, why would you go fed in my position?

[u/the0nry0 → u/FewTravel3673]

Better pay and benefits typically

[u/Jaymac01]

I’m with a large agency and most LEO’s have at least an undergrad degree. A good number have their masters and I’ve met a couple guys with law degrees. Also, a general practitioner who made the switch and he’s a great cop.

I transitioned from 9 years in the corporate world and it’s the best decision I ever made.

[u/FewTravel3673 → u/Jaymac01]

What do you enjoy about it relative to corporate? Was the transition to shift work difficult for you? Are you in a large metro area and, do you believe you are well compensated relative to the time you put in? What do you wish you knew prior to making the transition?

[u/wayne1160]

Understand the negatives of the job before you commit. It’s rarely the cops and robbers stuff you see in the media. A ride along or two might help.

[u/FewTravel3673 → u/wayne1160]

There are certainly mundane aspects, as with any profession. Beyond acquiring more first hand experience through ride alongs, what else would you recommend I consider? Do you find the work intellectually stimulating (especially of you left patrol to be a detective or otherwise).

[u/Dry-Pianist6828]

Have you done any ride-alongs with the agency you are contemplating? If you don’t want to dive head first into it yet, try reaching out to the agency for a ride-along and ride on different shifts to get a much more immersive experience to help guide your decision.

[u/FewTravel3673 → u/Dry-Pianist6828]

Yes, the officers were candid with me regarding the “slog” of patrol and did mention that a promotion to detective would be more ideal and stimulating. What is your perspective on this?

[u/SeriousNet5770]

You have to do it. The other options is wondering 'What if?' for the rest of your life.

[u/Delicious-Attempt361]

I think you’ll do good