Advise for a new Law Enforcement officer?

johncondo2001

I don't have any advise but good luck and God Bless

Desert Thunder

Develop a good sense of humor.
Keep your mouth shut.
Keep your eyes open.
Keep your A** covered at all times.
At all times, do role playing in your mind. i. e., what would I do in a given situation. A lot of what ifs never hurt anyone, as long as you don't do this while on actual duty.
Begin your day with a smile, look in the mirror and remember it. If you have family, give them a hug and tell them how much you love them, it may be the last time you hug them or say you love them.
At the end of the day, when you get home, take a good long look at yourself in the mirror and remember what it was you smiled about when you left for work.
The badge gets heavy at times, look up a poem about footprints in the sand.

*****

Take nothing for granted, or as routine. Keep in mind that traffic stops are on top of the list as the most dangerous situations to handle. That seemingly harmless old lady can blow you away as quickly as a hell's angel type.Take the time to proficient in the use of your weapon. Don't wait for qualification time to practice your marksmanship, do it on a regular basis. Treat all you meet with courtesy, because it is not only you, but the police department is represented by you and your actions.Most importantly, keep your moth shut, and learn all you can from your brother officers, who has many years of experience out in the field.

Sheila V

Learn from the more experienced officers around you. Take a little bit from everybody and make it your own. Be nice until it is time to not be nice. Never make any promises and never make any threats that you don't follow through with. Let peope talk, you learn more than by you doing the talking. Always think worse case scenario that way you are never surprised and always always always....watch their hands!!!

Chris R

My only advise to you is to remember that you are a person before you are a police officer. That is a fundamental. As for on-the-job stuff, do not try to make a name for yourself, such as the tough-guy, or the easy-going guy. You might truly not be able to make a difference in the CITY that you police (such as I, working in a city with the pop. of 3 million), but you are certain to make a difference in at least one persons life, and that is why we are here. Do not feel let-down or disappointed when you haven't experienced all the action that you expected within your first few years, trust me, it will happen, in an amount more than you probably ever desired for. Do not go out looking for the fight, or the chase, again, it will find you, trust me, just always be ready for it. Other than that, I wish you well and a healthy career, and try not to let the politics get you down, 'cause they will sure try.

angel afraid and sad

i am not in law enforcement but do believe that the law should be respected please dont fall into the category of corrupt law be an upstanding officer and always do what is right it is sad to know the things that go on with authority that cause people to be afraid and to disrespect the very people that have taken an oath to protect people make the world proud by doing what is right and not abusing the uniform badge and title that you carry good luck to you hope you prove to be a real peace officer not one that thinks people in trouble dont need help too you never know what really causes a person to do the things that they do i dont condone wrong doing but law enforcement should set an example and not be guilty of the same wrong doing have a good day and be safe

julie s

Be cautious of everyone. Traffic stops and domestic violence are very dangerous situation. Drugs will make people do crazy things. Always let dispatch know your location, they are your lifeline. Do not treat people disrespectful. You do not know what people have been through and you don't want to make enemies that will haunt you.

You will have the opportunity to change lives. You will see many disturbing things. Confide in a friend when you need to.
Good luck.

hiding_hatred

I am not in the law enforcement field. But my advice is, Be safe... Be smart.... n Good Luck!!

copswife

do not get badge heavy and do not let the power go to your head, it will leave you little room to think clearly. Always before you make a traffic stop or make contact, think of some ways that you can defend yourself and look at any and all aspects of the situation if it goes south and be prepared to take a life if needed. For the most part you will not need to do any of this...but you need to be prepared, I see way too many officers who walk up to a "rutine stop" so lackadazically and with their guard down, it has not happened yet, but it is then that an officer gets caught with his defences down and he finds himslef in trouble. Be kind to your community, you do not want the reputation of the public hating you and wondering if you are going to be able to eat out in the same town you live in. There are several officers in my town that have a horrible reputation about being an a**. They give NO breaks and pull people over for 2 miles over the limit. Kill them with kindness, you will get more info out of someone if you are kind to them, treat them like a human and try to be understanding, you never know when you may need them and their info later. Remember their problem to them is big and is important to them, even if you have heard the same story over and over again. Be honest with them, as much as you can, if you are honest with them, they will be the same for you, especially if you get the reputation of being honest and fair. If you are taking them to jail, let them know (you may want to wait until you get the cuffs on). Do not tell them that they are not going when you know they are. Do not get pulled into the clicks and political aspects of the job, remember why you chose this profession and do not lose your passion for your profession. Thank God everyday you go home alive and kiss your wife and kids everyday. As long as you remember this you should be o.k. Good Luck

okchico

Learn Spanish and computers. Remember that law enforcement is a high profile position and pretend you are being video taped at all times. As a new law enforcement officer practice good officer safety tactics at all times. Trust nobody but love everybody. Try to make everyone happy (be a good salesman) and document document document. Don't get obsessed with the job or you will burn out in 5 years. Balance your career with your family and friends. Keep hobbies that you enjoy. Don't relax with alcohol. As your career progresses rely on your instincts. Don't take sides with peers. Don't talk negative about your peers. Involve yourself with as many community programs as possible. Always smile. Learn to befriend the people you are going to arrest to gain the arrest. Practice communication skills. Talking is 90% of your new career choice so get good at it. Anyone is capable of anything at any time... so don't be surprised... or at least don't show it. Good luck.

Lt.Capt.Code4

I agree with Ranger473 he "hit the nail right on the head" It has been that way with me.

nathan....

they're in your own turf... just be-friend them and you'll get what you want

Blkhawk

First thing first....Congratulations....I have a safe and prosperous career.

Second...My advice to you is keep your ears open and your mouth shut. In this career you will see and witness things that will stick with you the rest of your life. Learn to respect people regardless of your personal feelings. This will keep you out of trouble. Also, do your job and remember that you will be investigated for something. A good police officer will be investigated, no matter what!

Second Documentation! Take good notes and document everything it will save your butt.

Third.. Have a life outside of police work.. You will last longer and have a productive career. Enjoy your family , friends , hobbies.

Fourth. Stay sharp on your tactics, weapons training, and overall performance of the job. Remember respect everybody trust no one!

God Bless

Ironman

Welcome to the greatest job on the planet. You now have a front row ticket to everyone's life. When everyone else stands around and stares at whatever is going on, you will be the one that gets right into the middle of it. My only advise is to join a proud house. A proud house does not tolerate all the crap you see people write about in these Q&A's about corruption and lying. In the USA, generally try to join a Department with 300+ members. You will find plenty of specialization with an agency that size. But I honestly believe the best job on any Department is Patrol. It is never boring and at times can be close to combat. I Definitely recommend that you do Ride-Alongs with all the agencies that you are considering. As I said earlier a proud house does not tolerate crap but don't confuse that to mean a bunch of do-good social workers. You want to join a house that is made of warriors who go out every night and bring the fight to the criminal element. There are some true bad-to-the-bone bad guys out there and you need some true bad-to-the-bone good guys to lock them up and that doesn't happen without some high-speed rock and roll police work happening. These guys and girls will become your extended family. We're in this to make our communites safe and still go home to our families at the end of the shift. I salute your decision to serve, Lots of Luck.

whip

you will be corrupt in a year! you will lie like the rest and think your doing the country good! with in the first 6 months you will be hated by half of the people you serve! with in 6 months you will be exposed to more cover ups and lies than any human should all in the name of the law! most of you are people with the i am god attitude and have severe mental issues,become alcoholics,drug addicts etc.. it doesn't look good! most die of heart attack due to the stress of the constant lies you all will tell regardless if it isn't in the best interest of the people! i wish you the best,this is the only advise i have ,sorry!

Pia

Mess with me, or my children... Violate our civil rights in a display of force and abuse of authority, and I'll surprise you like you never imagined.

I'll grieve your poor @$$, and request a formal investigation from Internal Affairs. When they don't find a cause, I'll take it to the mayor of the town and get your name rolling in those political circles you want to keep your clean appearance.

Adding the grievance to your personnel file will pop your ego...So, better watch out for us out there, boy. We'll be the ones that look like ignorant minorities that you can abuse.

With cameras always on hand, we wait for *our* turn...

SarahPerk P

Learn how to use a computer. That way if you have to report a crime it won't be recorded several times like your question was.
;-)

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