I used to be in sales but got out to be an leo. The feeling of being stressed out wears out or you learn to leave work at work. I was stressed for about the first 4 years then you just learn to control it.

Having read all of the posts, I appreciate the candor and info thus far.

Perhaps I can give some more insight about myself in relation to a few of the questions posed.

I am not afraid to be shot and I wouldn't hesitate to give/return deadly force.

The job wouldn't be about the $ for me as all the promises of sales have proven to be less than spectacular (no I don't suck, I've always been top 15% of the orgs I'm in and the promised $ isn't there).

Compensation would be more about the stability, benefits, and being able to retire to another life at 52.

As far as infidelity, stress, etc I have seen all of my LE friends lead a happier life than the majority of the cheater/alcoholic whacko sales people I've encountered.

Lastly...in my long 5 year, 2 company career, not 1 day has gone by where job security isn't in question. Not because I'm getting pressed, but seeing countless other people/instances where people are treated as disposable commodities despite true efforts. Not to mention my now boss...the guy (micro) manages 17 Reps and has never actually sold something!

Any love stories about sales careers out there?

Some of the best LEO's I knew came from a background in Sales. The very best spent 15 years as a Beer Salesman. Police work is mainly working with people and getting them to comply because they want to, not because you told them to.

If you're good in Sales, you're 1/2 there already.

The downside of being a LEO: Stress, dealing with the worst of society, working nights/weekend/holidays. Having to live with the "label" 24/7, you never get away from it.

The good: Decent pay/benefits. Job security. Early retirement, meaning you can go back into sales at age 50 or 55........

Enjoy...

Sort of been said, but for the bad, what I've heard is "nobody is happy to see a cop at their door, everyone is trilled to see fire/ems though!"

Also know that you will see mostly the bad side of folks, not the good, and that can wear you down. I've also heard that the rest of the force will make or break the job. Do you like them? Are they great people? Or will they be one of the "problems" you need to deal with (sounds like you've got a great start with 2 friends there).

With respect to the danger, given that you are looking at your home town, you are in a super position to judge just how dangerous it is. The things a cop in LA, Chicago or Bridgeport is not what a Cop would deal with in Lakeville, CT (for example).

You do retire young, and can get into other things while you are there. So time for another career, and time to start working ahead towards that career while you are policing. You could get into the technology & communications side, operations side, or community relations side. From there you could go into sales, security, technology, etc. later.

I guess go in with open eyes, study the community, speak with the other officers, do those ride alongs (will you be board to tears? afraid of being shot in the back)?

Good luck - we need great officers!

Is this a big or small town?

Have you considered seeking a commission as an officer in the military?

While that route is definitely not for everyone, their are an amazing array of opportunities across all sorts of disciplines, even law enforcement.

Also, consider the FBI, CIA, NCIS, etc. as a civilian.

Its a small, quiet, rich town with some real problems...which everyone denies. You know the type ;)

I have considered DEA or FBI, I have an inlaw who is a decorated DEA guy but has had to move his family all around the world...not my idea of fun...but it could be right?!

He/family are currently on a 5 year gig in Australia.

Have you watched any of the Veronica Mars series?

like to stay put..

guess that means you didn't do well on the..
ability to adapt /accept change part..:D..

5 years in Oz..
why not..

Rika

Go for it. Know lots of cops they love their jobs.

Since it's a small wealthy city I'll say maybe, but law enforcement is not what people think it is. Add to that the gravy train setups are vanishing, pensions are shrinking and the benefits are taking almost yearly hits. IMHO you would be getting in at the wrong time.

^^ Words of wisdom.

Many of the wealthy suburbs of Seattle are experiencing painful budget cutbacks because of decreased revenue, and they are laying off front-line LEOs in an effort to balance the budget. Check your town's budget for this year, and the yearly budgets since 2008. What is the trend for law enforcement?

__

^^^This is something I have actually tried to track. The town itself is doing very well and myself and another person would be 3 Officers added within a year.

They currently have a resident trooper and are working to build the force to have a rank structure.

Motorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle 2 - YouTube

This wouldn't suck as a cop!

You have tried sales. This is possibly the best time to try LE. You might love it, but if you don't, you wouldn't have any problems getting another sales job. The converse is not likely. Good luck.

Diverdan

If you're in sales, you at least get to disconnect from it and take time for your personal life once in a while. When you're in LE, it's a 24/7 job. A classmate who joined the NJ State Police many years ago was required to always have his weapon with him (don't know if this is still the case) because he could've been called into an emergency situation at any time. LE is a very exclusive fraternity and many cops develop an 'us vs. them' attitude with regard to the general public. Although this doesn't seem to be the case in your situation, I've found that cops will usually only socialize with other cops when off-duty and rarely have any close friends who are not also in law enforcement.
Don't be lulled into thinking that if you become a cop, you'll have a job for life. Budget cuts are a harsh reality these days and they affect big cities as well as small towns...even 'rich' ones...and this situation will not be improving any time soon.
One final comment on the 'danger' aspect of law enforcement. I live in a small city that's rarely ever had anything more than traffic incidents, rowdy parties, burglaries and other property crimes to deal with. Many local cops have worked their entire careers without ever having to draw their weapon against another person. That all changed earlier this year when two veteran cops were shot dead by some nut-job they were questioning about a harassment incident. The world is getting crazier by the day with no turn-around in sight.

I have 3 good friends who are LEO's.
Farily even keeled, they live good lives, but they drink to excess on occasion.
I believe that's a symptom.

my brother is a policeman.

he is the happiest person. i know lots of his coworkers. lots of infidelity, lots of boozing.

other than that, it seems like a fantastic job. very little "shooting" going on. do the cop thing. but check out the pension plan first.

sales..i would suck at it. i am not a smoozer.

Blee dat, it's like a high school campus as far as that goes. Lots of steam to blow off...as it were. Most jurisdictions have sold the newbies out, decreased/no pension, terrible shifts, lesser benefits packages, etc... make sure you know what you're signing up for.

As a for instance those retiring right now from my office are getting roughly 100k a year till they die plus medical. Under the new rules a newbie would get about 55k and no medical. I am not making a comment about weather or not it's deserved just that the "happy" cops are the ones still under the old rules.

The boozing and infidelity thing is a normal part of what I see...you read I was in sales right? Every sales conference I've been to someone is banging someone and people on sales teams are always hammerin another teammate....