3 answers
Izequiel
Student
Yuma, Arizona
3
Questions
Updated
597 views
What are the actual benefits of becoming a police officer?
Dear professionals, I am in the 8th grade and want to become a police officer. When I was thinking about it, I was wondering what are some real benefits from becoming a police officer that could actually be able to help me in life. There are risks to becoming a police officer I’m just concerned if they are worth it. Police officers risk their lives every day and I want to know what they get in return and if it is worth the risk. If you are able to respond to my question please do and thank you.
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3 answers
Diane Coles
Limited Licensed Professional Counselor
26
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Diane’s Answer
Hello Izequiel:
The main benefit of becoming a police officer is to protect and serve. Furthermore, being a police office can be a very rewarding career.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Clinician Coles
The main benefit of becoming a police officer is to protect and serve. Furthermore, being a police office can be a very rewarding career.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Clinician Coles
Dear Diane, I thank you for your response I found learning that being able to serve and defend your city very rewarding. Once again thank you for your response.
Izequiel
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1861
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Izequiel,
Things that will help you in life:
1. You learn to stay calm under pressure.
2. You learn to make quick decisions.
3. You become a part of a family that's unlike most other professions.
4. The hours - you can do your shopping at weird times of day and the stores aren't busy
5. The days off - as a newer officer, you'll likely work weekends. This gives you days off during the week when you can travel, camp, or whatever, and it is less busy.
6. You really do make a difference in peoples' lives, and it gives you a strong sense of self-worth.
7. You never have to worry about wardrobe.
8. Continuing training and education.
9. Pay and benefits.
10. Job security (most of the time)
11. Due process. If you are going to be disciplined/suspended/terminated there are safeguards in place to make sure it is fair. (at least in larger agencies)
12. Despite the political climate, there are still a lot of people who respect the police, and will tell you so. It reaffirms everything you're doing.
13. No two days are ever the same!
As pertains to the risks, which it sounds like you already are familiar with, I will say that your training, and the response time of your fellow officers, go a long ways towards addressing those risks.
I hope this helps. Thank you for your interest in law enforcement!
Things that will help you in life:
1. You learn to stay calm under pressure.
2. You learn to make quick decisions.
3. You become a part of a family that's unlike most other professions.
4. The hours - you can do your shopping at weird times of day and the stores aren't busy
5. The days off - as a newer officer, you'll likely work weekends. This gives you days off during the week when you can travel, camp, or whatever, and it is less busy.
6. You really do make a difference in peoples' lives, and it gives you a strong sense of self-worth.
7. You never have to worry about wardrobe.
8. Continuing training and education.
9. Pay and benefits.
10. Job security (most of the time)
11. Due process. If you are going to be disciplined/suspended/terminated there are safeguards in place to make sure it is fair. (at least in larger agencies)
12. Despite the political climate, there are still a lot of people who respect the police, and will tell you so. It reaffirms everything you're doing.
13. No two days are ever the same!
As pertains to the risks, which it sounds like you already are familiar with, I will say that your training, and the response time of your fellow officers, go a long ways towards addressing those risks.
I hope this helps. Thank you for your interest in law enforcement!
Dear Kim, thank you for taking time out of your day to respond to my question. It’s interesting to know all of the things that come with being able to become a police officer such as learning to respond to stressful situations more calmly. Once again i thank you for your response.
Izequiel
Mike K
Retired Law Enforcement
15
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hello, wanting to become a police officer is a very courageous decision. Yes, the pay and benefits are often very helpful and you'll find that if you retire from a police department you will receive a livable, monthly paycheck for the rest of your life. These benefits and salaries will of course vary between different departments. The main positives I took away from being a police officer was learning about different cultures, and communities. I also learned a lot about myself by realizing that there's so much more I was capable of than I thought...simple things, like public speaking. Being a police officer makes you leave your comfort zone. I left the field a different person, but definitely more well-rounded and with better confidence in myself.