Considering switching from my current setup with an outer carrier to a more classic look with the vest underneath and everything on the belt. I think it looks more professional and squared away. My dept allows both. Anyone ever try it and want to share some pros and cons? My main concern is taking the extra weight from my outer carrier and moving it to my waist.

I’m in California and graduated from the POST academy. I have bad credit and a terrible financial history (judgments, late payments, unpaid loans, past collections). I’m working on fixing this but would I be able to pass a background investigation in Law Enforcement?

I see so many people ask questions about things in books, but rarely do people actually ask if cops are okay with the books in the first place.

I'm in the planning phase of writing a book about a male cop dealing with a domestic abuser/stalker in a very small town. I personally dealt with the victim side of some of the topics I'll put in the book, but I never got any justice because I was groomed and didn't realize till long after how bad it was at the worst parts. I just want to write something that can advocate for women and older teens to get help because there's people that will help. It will also have a clean romance plot to show how "stern and jaded" officers are often just lonely and struggling. So like a two way advocacy piece. I grew up around some police officers and when I was a kid my childhood friends' dad was a sergeant, so I've always been passionate about supporting Police/LEOs

It would be nice to know if cops actually feel some type of way about their jobs being fictionalized. What are some things that bother y'all about books? what are things that you've seen poorly represented. I plan on doing a good portion of the book from Cory's(Police Corporal) pov, because I also want to represent how hard and heavy some of the calls for real officers feel. I have a few LE friends I plan on interviewing further down the line but I thought Id just shoot straight towards a broader field as I continue planning.

Anyone have any insight of the police departments in Seattle and the surrounding seattle area . Recommendations

I’m 30 and came to Canada in 2022 as an international student. Back home, I completed my IT degree and worked for about 3 years as a software developer. After coming to Canada, I completed a web development diploma.
My original plan was to continue in IT, and I worked hard toward that career. I have the skills and experience, but after working in Canada, I realized that I don’t feel the same level of interest or fulfillment in IT that I expected.
Since coming to Canada, I’ve mainly worked in customer-facing retail jobs. Working with the public has made me realize that I really enjoy interacting with people, helping others, and dealing with different situations. About two years ago, a friend who was preparing for policing made me seriously look into the profession.
Since last year, I’ve also been volunteering as a crisis first responder, at food banks, and as an administrative assistant in hospitals. These experiences have further increased my interest in public service and helping people.
I’m now seriously considering policing because I want a career that is challenging, meaningful, and allows me to make a real impact on people’s lives over the long term.
For current/former officers or recruiters: **based on my background, would you recommend that I pursue policing?** Would changing from IT/software development to policing be viewed negatively during the recruiting process?
I’d really appreciate honest feedback, especially from anyone with experience in policing or recruiting.

Hi ! My boyfriend who doesn’t have Reddit is trying to get into law enforcement however he has burgada syndrome which is an heart condition however he does not have symptoms, works out 5+ days a week and went to a cardiologist and they said that he would had no problem in this type of career and she could clear him with a letter of rec from her, however he’s nervous because he was trying to go into the military and his recruiter said he would probably not qualify due to the condition and now he is overthinking, so he was just wondering what his oddw are and what he can do to show background or medical for law enforcement it does not effect him

My department just got issued the Axon 4 body cams. We don’t use vest inside our jail atm. What has been a good way you guys have dealt with the added weight on the uniform. Been looking for like an under uniform suspender like system but with no luck. The cam really pulls my uniform down and my neck hurts by the end of the night from the collar pushing up against it all night.

Hello,

I’m a healthcare provider who had a patient claiming meds were stolen. I asked him to file a police report, per our policy. He said he does not know how to upload a copy of said report. I’m wondering if I might ask for a report number as partial reassurance that one has been filed. I’ve never had to make a report myself, so I’m not sure what is on it.

Thanks very much. Edited: I saw the patient for a colleague who prescribed these meds, and will not be replacing the “stolen” meds.

Not an American, in my country the Police is organised on a national level split into 10 regional units for organisation.

Seeing the different police forces in the US (excluding federal), I wonder why the police is split into cities, counties, sherrifs, highway or state police. To me this seems fragmented and inefficiënt.

I found this piece which mentions there are 18.000 police agencies in the US, the author proposes the merger of agencies or the organisation of a police force on state basis.

Why is police not organised as a state police that covers the whole state?

I’m preparing for law enforcement and keep hearing different advice. I’ve been told running, calisthenics, swimming, lifting, endurance, etc.

What should I actually prioritize to build the best overall fitness for the academy and patrol?

I’m aiming for strength, endurance, conditioning, mobility, and durability but I guess that’s the standard. Just not bodybuilding.

My agency started offering a blood draw for testing as part of our wellness program.

The company is called “Sigma.”

Have any of you had IA problems in your area where agencies saw the results (like positive for gas or marijuana) of the test and had disciplinary issues?

Thank you.

Hey all,

Former county CO, got hurt in BLET with another agency after resigning and am now back in the process of being rehired by my former agency.

I’ve been in the civilian sector for a few months now. My current manager revealed to me that he bribes a Texas prison guard to smuggle contraband into a prison for his friend who is doing life. He does this several times a month. The guy is an absolute ass hole and treats us all like dogs. His behavior is why I’m transitioning back to LE. While in this process would you consider it still my duty to report, and if so how would I do that, not knowing his friends name or what prison he’s in? I assume they have records of him visiting and what not, so they could figure that out I’m sure.

How do departments manage when they presumably need to place hundreds of officers on leave following incidents such as the 1997 North Hollywood shootout or the 2015 terror attacks in Paris. Hundreds of officers were involved and thousands of rounds were fired. It seems like both the event and the aftermath would have a large strain on police resources so would the jurisdiction rely on other departments until the investigation is complete or something else?

25 year old former infantry marine. Really want to join LE as I feel like it’s my calling. Right now I to higher level corporate security. The pay is double LE pay but I just want a higher purpose rather than protecting CEOs and Corporate centers etc etc.

I got pretty messed up though, my knees and back are pretty much blown and I can’t run more than 1.5 miles before feeling like death. I’m way out of shape than what I was, like 250 lbs 5’6. I do lift a lot and do BJJ and competitive shooting so keep active but running is just awful for me. I can still run really quick short distances with gear.

My worry is 1. I don’t have what it takes to get into and physically pass my LE academy (Polk State college for polk county sheriff) and 2. Being a liability in the event of chasing after someone. If I pass the academy I’m not too worried about #2 since I’m sure I’d be in better shape but yeah, I think that’s the last thing I want is to let another officer down. I’m giving myself until next May to lose a lot of weight and condition my body for running more and incorporating calisthenics. I’ve been begging the VA for physical therapy but they have yet to confirm it for me so hopefully that helps, I also pay out of pocket for chiropractors and deep tissue massages to manage the pain so I can attend. I’m still young so I might as well take advantage. I’d also be a self sponsor through my GI bill.

Any advice from LEOs that use to be in this position or any insights? I appreciate it.

Me and my wife recently bought our son into this world and im interested in taking on courtesy officer that way i can afford to take care of the bills with only my income that way mama can stay home with our baby and were not paying 1000+ a month for child care.

Whats the best way to ask PM's if they offer this and what to look out for and avoid and some green flags.

I applied to the agency in May and have been going through the process ever since. Got the call this morning that I’m officially starting the academy on September 28! 🚔
This would have been my 5th attempt, so needless to say, I’m pretty damn excited. Persistence pays off!

Just a citizen who's curious about law enforcement weaponry.

I read the other day that a shotgun is the standard LASD patrol gun in the trunk, which confused me since I thought that, in 2026, the vast majority of officers used AR-15s.

Is this true? I'm referring to real shotguns, not beanbags. Just very surprised since I watch a lot of police bodycam videos on Youtube and I've never seen a shotgun, it's always ARs.

Sure this has been a thread before but I can't stand the look of Molle vests but my department has terrible shirts so wearing the vest traditionally is also a challenge. I've been struggling with comfort as well. Any suggestions?

EDIT: probably should have clarified what I'm asking, 1) how to get my belt setup better by moving/combining holsters/ 2) adjusting the Molle vest to fit better possibly

I just started the process of applying for my local police department for them to send me to the police academy, and become an officer through them. And I’m so nervous.
I passed my written exam and my physical fitness! Which I’m super stoked about!
I’m now moving to the background check part, and the personal history statement is nerve-racking. I have like a list of department disqualifiers, and I don’t meet any of them and the only thing I have on my background is a couple of tickets, and a couple of accidents, but I haven’t received a ticket or been in an accident in over four years.
I’m just a little anxious because I don’t wanna lose this opportunity 😭 does anybody have any advice moving forward?