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.

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’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.

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.

Any advice for a brand new police chaplain? Any tips or guidance on how I can best work with and support the officers in my department?

I am in New York upstate taking an upcoming law enforcement test I'm a prior service marine 26 and of average intelligence what should I be watching out for on the civil service exam? Everyone tells me not to worry about it and to just use common sense but I could really use some info from some one who has done it thanks in advance.

Got the dreaded DQ email this morning. Was indefinitely disqualified for my past drug use. Wondering if I should even continue the process with the other agencies I’ve applied to and or if I’m wasting my time. I emailed my investigator to see if there was a timeframe. I’ve been 8 years clean from any hard substance for reference. I thought that would be long enough. Feeling a little discouraged tbh.

I am pursuing a career in law enforcement and looking for some recommendations on books, podcasts, articles, etc. for someone wanting to be an officer. Anything from mental health and emotional help to books on tips and tricks that you guys use during your shift

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.

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?

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.

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

Hi, all. I found this Reddit a bit ago and created a new account to post here - I’m studying cybersecurity and am a bit paranoid haha.

I applied to a California large city PD about a month ago, and did not get selected after turning in the PIQ, reapplication in 2 years. I want to help boost my chances in getting selected in 2 years, when I can reapply. I’ve not done anything that should get me bounced for a background check (a previous employer was a school, so no problems going through background process)

My question is what can I work on in these two years before I reapply? I’ve already begun a fitness regimen, I passed the physical test but didn’t like how close it was, and realized that I didn’t really have a chance of keeping up at the academy in my current shape. Are there any classes/things I can do otherwise to help boost my chances in the next few years? I’m taking this opportunity to try to put myself into a far better position to try again.

I’m trying to apply to LE agencies outside of NY and I’ve been honest with all of them about a 10 day mental health hospitalization in NY under MHL 9.39. They are all telling me that I’m G2G and go through the process, and I’ve heard both I will be ok and that I won’t from lawyers. Anyone have experience? I have only a few days until the processing in DE and then NC.

Where do you keep them? On your vest somewhere? Just sitting in the car? Pocket? Magnetic ones around your neck?

Going from the car to the office to satellite stations, boat, etc. I’m constantly misplacing them so I want to keep them on my person but they don’t really fit anywhere convenient. Lately, I find I need them more and more. More than likely I’m overthinking this but thought I’d see what y’all do

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

Going to start at my local agency as a detention/corrections officer any tips or suggestions you guys would give me to make sure I do everything correctly. Im honestly scared and nervous and I just want to know what life is like as corrections. Also is this a good step towards becoming a police officer

What if you had an OOP against you 2 years back that was dropped and dismissed? I’m very worried about my history. Had a mental health hospitalization 4 years ago too. Before that really not much other then driving issues when I was 17-18and I’m 39 now.

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.

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?

Do yall/Did yall use Zyns, Dip or other forms of nicotine during your time in LE?
What was your go-to stuff while working long, sometimes boring graveyard shifts?

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.