New Job?.....Police Officer?

[Evil Hamster]

Well, its been 6 months since i've graduated, and i still haven't found a decent job. I have an aa in comp programming, plus im into 3d and web design. Well a few weeks ago i had my first car accident. A few days later, i was driving down the street and all of a sudden my cv joint comes out of my transmission( basically my wheel came off my car). Fortunately, i wasn't on the i-10 or a busy street. But than a cop came and parked behind my car and waited for the tow truck with me. After i told him what happened, he started asking me about what school i went to and where im working. I told him i haven't found a job yet and he asked me if i ever thought about becoming a police officer. I told him no because, first of all, i stay in new orleans, wheres there is crime 24/7. Second of all, i didn't think they made that much money. But i found out a few days ago that in new orleans, police officers make more than comp programmers:puzzle: . He said i can start off making $31,000 a year. And thats not bad for a 22 year old staying in new orleans. Of course i wont be one for long cuz i will continue to work on establishing my company JTJ Studios. But i guess if the job is easy enough with great benefits, i might just let me girlfriend run my business while im out patrolling the streets:) .

[RussianBeer]

PD, is far from easy, its one of the hardest jobs you will ever do.

[Marz]

Originally posted by RussianBeer
PD, is far from easy, its one of the hardest jobs you will ever do.

My general area has alot of PD's... And I can honestly say that they have it alot easier in some locations than you think..

Now.. They sometimes have it hard.. But most of the time they have more fun at work than anything else.. then again.. The New Orleans may have it hard.. Especially during the Spring Break Season and Mardi Gras... hehehe

Computer programmers, if you land in the right business, make a helluva lot more than police officers... Even a small gig as a website designer... Makes more than a Police Officer... But you have to work at it.. Just about as hard as the police officer job..

Now, what style of computer programming do you know? C++, Visual BASIC, Both? Do you know all about DirectX capabilities...?

[prstudio]

It is a fine and honorable line of duty. That salary he quoted you is about right too. It will also be more because of your education. Look into it on the web, or go to your local station for an information booklet.

Sometimes it is fun, yes like any job. It is however one of the most demanding jobs ever, physically and mentally.

I would suggest you look into it.

I will warn you though, it has to be in you. Police officers and State Troopers are a different breed. It takes diligence, respect, wisdom, and sharpness to tow this line.

They like the idea of protecting the public, keeping things safe, and putting their life on the line daily.

Yes sometimes it is just writing tickets, but other times you are chasing people or subduing unknowns.

The danger level is high.

For some the reward is even higher.

I would go into a station and ask to speak with someone about it.

Your local community college might have courses in it as well for training; might even talk to someone there.

[CanadianGuy]

My unsolicited advice to you evil hamster is to not lose focus of what you'll be happy doing.

Take it from me, I started a painting company when I was 20 and in 3 years I was getting regular city jobs. and landed a sweet contract with this new resort in my area. Actually the place was 45 min away but the pay was unreal! No kidding I had 3 guys paint a ceiling in this joint for $2500 canadian. It took less than 2 hours lol. This particular job was like 2 years full-time and even though I was starting at 9 am and golfing by 3 pm everyday I find slaving away doing graphics for 12+hours a day much more fullfilling.

Friends and family think I'm a dreamer 'cause I'm always try'n new stuff (eg. got my pilot's license just to see if that was an avenue I might take, 1 year of hotel & restaurant management at college, diploma in cartography (no intention of using), not to mention I've been addicted to home depot since 2000 (probably own $8,000 in tools) and because of my love of carpentry my family thinks that's the route I should go).

By the way I feel compelled to state that I did this all on my own. Truth be told my dad will work 'til the day he dies just to pay last months bills. He's a big encouragement for me in whatever I do (and I'm sure he's thought I was crazy at times).

Anyways hamster if you think being a cop is something you wanna try I say go for it! But if you're doin' it just for the money I'd say forget it. For myself I found the more money I had, the more things or stuff there was holding me back from what I wanted to do.

Keep in mind that I'm a little jaded because of my painting company experience. I honestly do feel that I was treated as a second class citizen by secretaries or foreman that made less cash than me (not realising the amount of work I put in).

I'm 24 and I know money can't buy happiness but the looks I get from some of my clients are priceless.

Hamster go get'em either way.

P.S. This rant is part of my private back patting party for completing two projects which I thought were going to be ****

[prstudio]

Yeah, can't do this for the money.

That was awesome bill. Home Depot is a beautiful thing.

[CanadianGuy]

Hamster I know you're there what are you thinkin'?

[CanadianGuy]

godamit I know almost every home depot employee where I live. I especially like this buddy who's in a wheel chair but knows everything and I mean everything about router bits

[Phat7]

Being a cop rules dude :) But if you're overweight then forget about it ;) :P

[CanadianGuy]

You wanna know a funny fact?

As a second choice most pilot's want to be cops.

Funny thing is I have 3 friends who took this bs police foundations course and they jump when someone in the room breaks wind lol.

I'd be pretty freaked if they were in the left seat doin' spins thats for sure lol

[CanadianGuy]

Come to think of it every proffesional pilot I know drinks a lot.

Coinsidence, I think not!

[Evil Hamster]

Well, after reading everyone's responses and doing some research on the net, i decided im going to try it out:beam: . As for me just doing it for the money, yes the money plays a big role in it mainly because i have too many **** credit cards, im trying to get my own house, buy a new car, pay off student loans, etc.. But thats not the ONLY reason im doing it. I might be able to get an it job with the pd one day so maybe this will be a good thing. Besides with the good pay and excellent benefits, its kinda hard to pass up.

[Phat7]

So what would your responsibilities be as a starting cop?

[Digigamer]

well good luck to you then.

My little advice is act on your instints. If you see some idiot go speeding through an intersection and you double thinking wether you want to go chase him or not it's too late. Act on your instints.