Non-LE friends

[uoplax13]

So I'm sitting here killing some time during another snowstorm (it's APRIL :shock: ).... Have any of you officers seen a dramatic change in your circle of friends since joining the department? i.e. do you find that you've distanced yourself from certain friends from your pre-law enforcement days because they're rowdy drunks, smoke weed, do stupid stuff, etc...? I've seen myself do this a little bit already. I'm not an officer yet, so I'm guessing it's a maturity thing. Anyone?

[Darth Choke]

I never hung around rowdy drunks who are stupid and smoke weed. Wasn't a problem. I have the same friends I have always had and I do nothing different than I used to do.

[cal911gal]

Uoplax,

Yes, you'll find this happening. You may also experience what I call "cop paranoia" wherein those of your friends who have "nothing to hide" (don't smoke pot, aren't too rowdy, etc.) suddenly vaporize as though you had the bird flu and the bubonic plague at the same time.

I went through this when a senior in HS, when I started leaning towards LE. Most of the kids I hung with disappeared, or when I ran into them, it was torment me because I'm a "narc" (even though these guys didn't do drugs). It hurt like hell at the time...but now that I'm 20 years older and hopefully wiser, I see more.

Of the majority of the friends I lost, most left me: therefore, they weren't worth wasting time on anyways. If people don't respect what I do, which has a moral high ground to it, then screw em. I've made plenty of new friends in the interim, who fulfill my life in ways folks from HS never would have.

Friends come and go all through our lives; if people want to continue to know you, they will, no matter what you become. If they don't, then it's their loss - consider yourself free to make better friends, friends who will last a lifetime.

Keep your chin up - the rest of your life awaits you! :biggrin:

[DESERT RAT]

I gave up on friends along time ago! It suits me just fine, One less group that wants a break on their Citation!

"Bad company corrupts good morals"! Oh and click on my link, I think it will be relavent to most of our dope smokin buddies!

[Your Mentor]

I never had any friends.

[KingFrankSam]

I never had any friends.

Man, that's sad. I hope you're joking.

[cacop]

I have the same friends, childhood, college, military, etc.

I also have new friends that like me happen to have chosen the JOB/CAREER of law enforcement.

When I'm around my cop buddies do we talk shop? Yes, if it's just us. No, if the wives or others are around. In my opinion to talk about this job in public is tacky.

Do I talk shop with my other friends? No, unless they ask. Do they usually ask? No.

My profession is not that impressive considering I have friends who are mechanical engineers for DaimlerChrysler, Lawyers, Wall Street brokers, and a few from my Navy days who are in the Teams.

Keep it all in perspective my aspiring Chippie gonna be's.

[Your Mentor]

Of course I was kidding.

[uoplax13]

I'm not sitting around here crying about it, in fact, most of the friends I still keep in touch with from college really respect what I'm trying to do for a career. I have a feeling that if I do need to distance myself from "friends like that" it will probably happen naturally. It was more of a hmmm....I wonder kind of question.

[SB 405]

A number of years ago a high school friend of mine was trying to get into the Sherifff's Department and someone called me asking a number of questions about his character. Does the CHP do the same?

[carcop]

Absolutely. Expect the background investigator to talk to your family, friends, co-workers, past/current bosses, and even some folks who may not like you (old flames etc..).

Now that is not to say that he/she WILL. But they MAY and have to many. Not to worry though. We know that you did stupid things as a kid and expect that your exgirlfriend will slam you or throw you to the wolves. They will look at the big picture and not a sole incident. IF something comes up of concern, you will be asked.