Policeman vs. Salesman

[911SauCy]

If ever there were a time to reach into the depths of knowledge, thoughts, feelings and experience which comprises the Pelican Brain Trust...THAT TIME IS NOW.

Scenario:

I have been out of college for 5 years now and went into sales because I saw my parents doing it, $ is good, and I apparently have a knack for it. Can make a lot of money but at what cost?

All of my closest friends, who I look, walk, talk, and act like, are Police Officers.

I've seen their lives/income/stability and overall situations so I tested for a few towns and turns out I have a perfect brain/mental stature to be a Cop. Can make a great career but at what cost? (Talking personal sacrifice, not death.)

I received a call tonight that flipped the table...

I am first in line for hiring in what would be a dream Police job. Working the town I grew up in with my 2 best friends I've known since I was 6.

Thoughts, suggestions, comments, concerns....real life "I would have/have nots"

PLEASE

[Bill Douglas]

How many donuts can you eat?

[vonsmog]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

How many donuts can you eat?

More importantly, how many donuts shops are there in the town!!!

[Rick Lee]

I'm in sales and often think about going into LE. But I think a lot of the guys who want to become cops are the ones who really shouldn't become cops. Maybe I should become one because I have such hesitation about it. I'd be pretty worried if I ran into a cop who had wanted to become a cop his whole life. Mixing a badge, a gun and a 'tude can be a dangerous thing. Nothing better than a good cop, but nothing worse than a bad one.

[afterburn 549]

I will vote you a NO
All my friends are Leo.
They dont know how to relax
Is just a horrible life .....unless you were a state trooper......then get the box of donuts

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I'm in sales and often think about going into LE. But I think a lot of the guys who wants to become cops are the ones who really shouldn't become cops. Maybe I should become one because I have such hesitation about it. I'd be pretty worried if I ran into a cop who had wanted to become a cop his whole life. Mixing a badge, a gun and a 'tude can be a dangerous thing. Nothing better than a good cop, but nothing worse than a bad one.

Very well put. I think if you get into policing for altruistic reasons (i.e. genuine desire to make your community/city/country/world a better place), you'll be a good cop. If you get into policing because you have ego, have authority issues (known or not), like the idea of power, or are looking for a good salary above everything else, you'll be a lousy cop.

[911SauCy]

Keep 'me comin' !!

[recycled sixtie]

I would be the kind of cop that would shoot first and ask questions later. My attitude would suck and would likely get fired but I would be alive LOL.

I cannot imagine pulling somebody over on a saturday nite and they pull a gun on you. That is where I come in.....

To me this is somewhat similar to the military and being in active duty. I have the highest regard for the military, police etc. I salute you all...

Only you can make this decision. Sales job seems pretty tame unless you are selling firearms.

[speeder]

I'm going to go the other way and say, *go for it*. If you don't love it after a couple years, (or less), you can always go back to sales or something else. At least you'll have an interesting story of how you were a cop for a minute.

Most of the cops I know, including MMarsh on this board, absolutely love their jobs and make a lot of dough+benefits that you cannot touch in the private sector these days. Of course, this is in CA., where cops are paid very well. In other outposts of the U.S.A., the pay can be dramatically different, (less).

I always thought that I would love it because it would be interesting--especially being a detective but patrol might be interesting at times as well.

[masraum]

LEOs are great, we need them and I'm glad that there are folks that are willing to do the job. My dad did it for a bit when I was young but got out when I was very young.

As a cop, I'm guessing that you end up dealing with the armpit of society and see the worst. I have always heard that cops have high incidence of substance abuse, infidelity, and problems. I have always assumed that was because of the stress involved with the job. You could die at any time in the most trivial of situations. I don't think there's much money in it. I suspect it can be very rewarding at times, and you can make a difference in society which is a good thing. I suspect the rewards are probably mostly intangible, internal rewards.

If it was me, choosing between being a cop or salesman (and I was good at being a salesman), I don't think I'd have to think twice unless I felt a very strong desire to be a cop which I don't.

For me the pros don't come close to outweighing the cons. And if you are good at sales, the financial security that's possible is a huge plus.

[John Rogers]

You have to ask yourself the two big questions.....first can I shoot someone and second could I handle getting shot? If either of these is a no or not sure or.....then the job is not for you. As already noted the stresses are high even for just a traffic stop now days and how you can handle it after work is important.

[dan88911]

It's your life make list of all haves and all the have nots.
Plus vs minuses of being a leo.
If you have more pluses and it does not work out. As one of the other posters stated you can always go back to sales or something else.
Your young you only go around once.
Manage your health, your money, your perspective.

[Bill Douglas]

Cops always seem so angry, maybe they are just angry when they are talking to me

I was at a gas station the other day and a really beautiful, about 20, blonde girl cop came out. She looked like a model. Wow. Uniform. Whooo. I said to the staff "Wow, she could take me down to the cells and rough me up anytime..." They said don't joke about it she gave us a real telling off for not knowing the procedure for charging fuel to the police.

Plus shift work

[911mnypt]

Both side have stress, yes they are different. I have been in medical sales for 14 years and it can be a pressure cooker at times, but the rewards are big. I gave up a career as a game warden and do not regret it. Do what makes you happy.

[LWJ]

How about this? Do a ride along.

I am in sales. There are ups and downs with it. Mostly ups I think until I have a heart attack from stress.

I have some buddies in LE. There are ups and downs with it.

I know people who have thrived in both situations. I know people who have been eaten alive in both situations. Worst example is a relative who worked the primarily African American part of Portland for years. He is a complete racist and an overall angry sort. I have heard tell that he used to be a barrel of laughs. That is a steep price to pay.

Good luck! Would you regret not taking the chance?

Larry

[LeeH]

My brother became a cop because he liked to help people. Just a few weeks on the job he responded to a fatal traffic accident where the victim closely resembled his wife. Apparently the women was pretty well mangled in the accident.

My brother was never the same after that. He used alcohol to escape from the unpleasantries of the job. It eventually caught up with him when he was coming home from a bar after an evening shift, crossed the center line and killed a women. Jail, divorce, depression followed. It took years to rebuild his life, but certain things are hard to ever get over.

I applaud and even envy those who can do the job. Just be sure it's for you before you sign up.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by LWJ

How about this? Do a ride along.

^^^ This. Not just "a ride along," contact local sheriff's dept. and describe your interest and ask what is available. Friend of mine did it years ago and loved it. He figured out he is wired for it... very stable, analytical guy. He's FBI now.

[Hugh R]

Not a cop, did the California Highway patrol training video interactive thing ten years ago. Domestic violence, drunk driver pull over and a breakin scenario, I was dead three times. Think about that.

[aap1966]

For the sake of your community........yes.
For your sake, .......no.

[dlockhart]