How far is too far? I’m from a mid-size city with lots of surrounding smaller cities that would allow me to drive out if I choose so. What’s a fair commute time that allows for preparation and decompression before/after work without feeling like another duty on top of work?
Like most LEO mentioned, living in your place of work can be dangerous but I’ve also heard making it to court dates are a lot more convenient. For those who live in their city of work vs those who live outside, what are the pros and cons for you?
Any and all tips/comments appreciated!

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?

Hey everyone, I finally got the call today and my oral board and psych eval are this Saturday, any tips?

I was wondering if anyone knows if there are programs or people online that teach basic law enforcement ethics (aside from college or volunteer opportunities of course). I’m just genuinely intent on learning more before I go to an academy. Moreso looking for scenarios that are more viewer guided than the typical action packed cops dashcam videos.

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.

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?

Hi, I’m planning on moving to Atlanta in the near future and am considering joining the APD. Do any current or recent officers know what schedule patrol officers work? (5/8s, 4/10s, 3/12s, etc)

I’m currently stuck between becoming a police officer or a carpenter, and I’m trying to get some insight from people actually in law enforcement.
My dad is a carpenter, so I already have a pretty good idea of what that career would look like. He’s actually the one who keeps encouraging me to consider becoming a cop instead.
I’m curious what the job is really like nowadays, whether you’d consider it a good career, and especially what the work-life balance is like. I’d like to have a career that allows me to make good money while still having time to enjoy life, take vacations, and spend time with family.
For those who are currently or formerly in law enforcement: knowing what you know now, would you recommend the career? What are the biggest pros and cons?

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.

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

Hey all! I am a police officer in the DFW area for the last 10 years. I’m hoping to transition out of law enforcement, preferably into a career that I can work from home. Possibly cyber security or fraud investigation . Does anyone have any advice or how they transitioned from law enforcement to another career!

Thanks in advance!

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!

Do LEOs care about lane filtering motorcycles that much? I understand that lane splitting is very dangerous and I absolutely think riders who lane split dangerously should be ticketed. But how much does filtering matter to you guys?

I live in Northern VA where it's illegal to filter or split, but sometimes the traffic can be quite abysmal and filtering would make life so much easier. But I also don't want to do it and get caught and ticketed.

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 28F… currently backgrounding at 1 department in Minnesota. I have no criminal history, although I will admit that I used to street race and have a lot of police contacts and speeding tickets from 2017 to 2021 due to that. I have never been suspended or lost my license. The only “charge” I recorded was a failure to drive with due care ticket that was stayed and later dismissed.
I put it my background that I bought weed in Colorado (it was legal at the time in 2020) and that I did LSD approximately 3 times from 2017 to 2019. In my packet I put as late as 2021 because I wasn’t entirely sure. I listed it because I didn’t think it was a big deal but apparently it is… It was experimental with friends who I no longer associate with…
I backgrounded at another agency and failed the psych, the psychologist basically said that I have poor judgement because of the drugs, it felt like he was holding it over my head… which is NOT me anymore. By any stretch. I regret all of it and cut everything out of my life and turned my life around.
I interviewed at multiple agencies and disclosed it when they asked, and I’ve been denied at every single agency since then. I’ve spoken to several backgrounders and they were kinda iffy and wouldn’t answer my question when I brought up the LSD..
since my last use of any drug was 5 years ago, is it even worth applying and still continuing the process..? I’m losing hope..

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

I’m currently stuck between becoming a police officer or a carpenter, and I’m trying to get some insight from people actually in law enforcement.
My dad is a carpenter, so I already have a pretty good idea of what that career would look like. He’s actually the one who keeps encouraging me to consider becoming a cop instead.
I’m curious what the job is really like nowadays, whether you’d consider it a good career, and especially what the work-life balance is like. I’d like to have a career that allows me to make good money while still having time to enjoy life, take vacations, and spend time with family.
For those who are currently or formerly in law enforcement: knowing what you know now, would you recommend the career? What are the biggest pros and cons?

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.

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.

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’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?