I want to become a police officer, Should I?

Question

Hi I am a recent college graduate. Since i could remember i always wanted to become a police officer. I know kids grow out of their childhood dreams but this has not gone away. Now being 22, I have reached this point where my life can go 2 directions. I can apply to grad school and get my masters in child, family, and marriage counseling, or i can go to the police academy.

One way would make my family happy, and i know in the long run it would make me happy as well. The other, is my dream. It is dangerous, and i know i will get criticized for it.

I guess my question is, for those who become police officers, was it always what they wanted. I am afraid of choosing that path and realizing i made a mistake.

What should i do?

Answer 1

I agree with zeb and JB. Get your masters and then get a job as a reserve officer. That way you can be covered if you decide law enforcement isn't for you. And if you decide that is what you want to do, a college degree will certainly help in the long run.

Answer 2

Since you're torn between two options of what to do right now, I think I'd go with the one that will be hard to do later, if you change your mind. That means go ahead and get your masters. Then, if you still have the attraction to the police, go for it. Two or three years won't make any difference, but it's real hard to go back to school while working or after you start maintaining a home and maybe a family.

But don't just toss the dream. You could be sitting there doing counseling one day and wish to h**l you had gone for it. If you do go for the police after grad school, you'll have some powerful chops for mixing the two one day and might just find it to be the right mix of fulfillment. And you still have your degree, should you find the cop thing to be not what you wanted. Contrary to popular robotic thinking, life is not made of sticking with one gig for 30 years focused on retirement.  

Answer 3

No,

Go to grad school & get your master's degree.

Answer 4

s***w wat every one thinks . If you are a cop , you a fighting bad and putting your life on the line to HELP SOCIETY . if you become a cop and you were my kid id be so dam proud ov ya . fighting for the right things , putting away rapists ect... . making the world a safer place .and its action packed so you never get bored . thats wat id do but this is your choice not mine . at the end of the day , u made it this far , well done.

Answer 5

Do both.  

Get your masters degree.  It will help if you decide to go into law enforcement full time.

Apply as a reserve police officer.  This is a voluntary position, you get training as a police officer, powers of arrest while on duty, work side by side with a full time officer, and only have to work about 20 hours a month.  It allows you to get the feel of the job to get the itch out of your system, or make it worse.  Either way, it will help you decide.

Answer 6

You should join the department and try it out.  If you don't like it, quit and go finish your Masters.  The Police Department will give you some good relevant experience, such as dealing with domestic issues, which could be applicable to a counselor position.

Answer 7

If possible, I would get your masters degree first. It will make getting a police officer job that much easier. It will also give you something to fall back on later if you wish. It will greatly increase your chances for promotion to a supervisor or investigator position after you become a police officer. You are young, and you have plenty of time to become a police officer. Being a police officer is a great service and can be very rewarding. Get as much education as you can! Visit http://www.peaceofficerjobs.com for more information about the benefits of education for law enforcement officers.

Answer 8

Do both...get your masters first.  Then join the police department.  If you decide after you join that you dont like it or that you would like to go into the other direction, you can.  Being a cop isnt for everyone.  I dont like standard 9-5 jobs.  And there are quite a few people that quit in their first year.  Its not like you'd be stuck with the decision forever.  Plus with your maters, you could end up with a nice easy gig teaching at the academy after the thrill of chasing down perps runs out.