If you are really serious about applying

[pupdog]

I've got another one, and it's sort of a response to a post YM just made in the military? thread (but who am I to hijak that forum?)...
ACT THE PART!
I'm winding down my Administration of Justice degree. At 32, I'm the old lady in there. The majority of my fellow AJ majors are quite young, and hopefully they will imitate red wine and improve with age. BIG whiners. Want to be graded on a curve. Want a review of every question on the mid-term the week before ("exactly which part of the 4th amandment will be on the test?"). Want to leave class instead of watching a video. Want extra credit for doing a ride-along (my favorite; I get a good laugh out of that request!). What do they think the police academy will be like???
Another area of acting the part is how you conduct yourself. Many of my classmates don't appear to 'get' what a background investigation is about. They swagger through cursing & acting like a knucklehead without thought of the impression they make on others. BIs are very unlikely to go seeking out fellow students, but they'll be talking to the teachers. If they behave this way around their teachers, how are they otherwise? What impression do they leave on their neighbors/boss/landlord/any number of people their BI will talk to?
And the lack of overall responsibility!!! My favorite was when one of the teachers who works for Salinas PD asked the class "who was out partying in Salinas saturday night and dropped my name when the cops showed up?"

[Officer_Grady]

you would not hide using the internet to get info about this career. You would already know others in your situation or others who had gone through the process, some be officers, some did not make it. You would actually sit down and talk to these people during their time, not your time and glean all the info out of them (may it be at a job fair, PAO display, or when the officer is on a quick break). I think that's the first sign you are serious because this job, we don't patrol via the net, we go out there and talk to people and people talk to us. In terms of the spouses and family, look at it as a period of time that your spouse grows and in time, job security. Good luck and Godspeed.

[makakona]

great post. i wholeheartedly identify with the familial portion. :smile:

[Cameron]

And then again, pup, there are plenty of college graduates who are responsible, well-grounded people. :smile:

[Your Mentor]

There are well-grounded people from all walks of life. My old graveyard partner, who is currently doing backgrounds, is one of the most intuitive cops I know. He was a short order cook before going into the Academy. The problem is we often associate certain backgrounds with certain virtues, skills, talents, etc. What you have done in life is far less important than who you are now. Not discounting experience, just offering a reality check. Did you ever see Million Dollar Baby?

[pupdog]

Yes, I KNOW! My school just seems to be attracting some outspoken idiots!
Yes, I saw Million Dollar Baby. My boyfriend complains that it was the perfect movie (women in sports bras beating each other up!) that suddenly turned inot a chick flick (HATE that term!). I loved the movie. Very very much!

[dw]

you would not hide using the internet to get info about this career. You would already know others in your situation or others who had gone through the process, some be officers, some did not make it. You would actually sit down and talk to these people during their time, not your time and glean all the info out of them (may it be at a job fair, PAO display, or when the officer is on a quick break). I think that's the first sign you are serious because this job, we don't patrol via the net, we go out there and talk to people and people talk to us. In terms of the spouses and family, look at it as a period of time that your spouse grows and in time, job security. Good luck and Godspeed.

I'm not sure what the purpose of this post is... While I agree that applicants should full investigate the Department during their application process -- talk to officers, go on ride alongs, etc. -- I also believe the Internet can be a valuable source of information. I'm sure this forum provides information to applicants that they otherwise would have missed. No one is saying you should read a web page and decide to become a cop. Besides, the intent of this web site was not to be solely a recruitment tool -- the Department has web pages for that. It was to provide those interested in the Department and those working for the Department to communicate.

[makakona]

i thought it was in response to the somewhat frequent, "so, um, i have a FRIEND who tried pot once and i was wondering if that means i, er, HE won't be able to become a patrolman now..."