Things To Consider If You Want To Be A Police Officer

There are few career options in the world nobler than that of the police officer. Police officers play a crucial role in our society. Without people enforcing the word of the law, society would be a chaotic nightmare. We will, it is likely, always need professionals of this kind – and it is never a wrong time to get into this area of work. If you have started to think that you would like to become a police officer, then you have made a big decision indeed. However, the work of a police officer is not without its downsides. There are, in truth, many challenges present as part of the life of a police officer. These are not meant to put you off wanting to become an officer, but they are things which you should consider. Any career needs careful consideration beforehand – but particularly so with certain careers. If you are thinking of setting out on the path to becoming a police officer, then read this first. Here are the top things you should be prepared for first.

The Hiring Process

Becoming a police officer is a famously long, drawn-out affair. While it is not as lengthy a process as becoming, say, a doctor, it is still longer than most. It is unlikely, in the first instance, that you will get that dream job in under twelve months. With that in mind, it is a wise idea to have another job to keep you going in the meantime. This is a common tactic which wannabe police officers have to do. As well as being long, it is also quite a tough process. The sheer number of steps involved makes it not for the faint-hearted. After those initial background checks, you have a lot of training to go through. Put on top of that medical tests and physical and mental exams, and you are looking at one tough process. But for those who want the job, it’s worth it. There is more information on the process here: http://criminologycareers.about.com/

The Darker Side of Being a Police Officer

You may have a certain image in your head of what a police officer does. It all depends, of course, on what department you end up in. Nonetheless, there are bound to be things which you might not have considered. It is worth taking the time to think about the somewhat darker elements of this kind of job. Reflect on it beforehand, so that you know what you are getting into. Again: this isn’t meant to put you off, but you should be as prepared as possible. It is likely that you will witness some nasty things, from dead bodies to physical abuse. You should be ready to see these things. You will also be expected to occasionally use weaponry. This won’t necessarily be in the form of a firearm. But you might have to use something like these stun guns: www.tbotech.com/stun-guns.htm. This is a job which is not for the faint-hearted.

The Hours

It is also worth bearing in mind that you are likely to have to work long hours as an officer. Most people who get into this line of work do not mind this so much. But it is definitely something which you should consider at the earliest convenience. Becoming a police officer might be difficult and take steely determination and guts. But with the important work that you will be doing, it is more than worth it. If you are keen on this line of work, then work hard and you will get there in no time at all.

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