Thinking of becoming a police officer

Thinking of becoming a police officer

I'm just about to graduate with a BS in cell biology, for those who know me well enough and my friends in the same field are having difficulties finding jobs. I've always kind of been drawn to law enforcement, but never really given it any real thought. I'd like some input on this.

wow, i thought i was alone on this one! i plan on being a cop too, just local patrol, traffic enforcement, i love the idea of helping people and not sitting at a desk from 9-5... i literally watch youtube videos all night of police ride alongs and dash cam stuff. I recommend you sign up for the ride along program to see if you will enjoy it.

I'm starting my last semester tomorrow, and i'll be graduating with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. I have an internship right now with Johnson and Johnson and it has opened up alot of doors. Have you done any research or worked in labs? What kind of job are you going to be looking for? The best think might be to stay in school and get a PHD until the economy gets better

Jlee is a cop. talk to him he is a great source of information =]

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

OMG. Didnt know JLee is a coppers!

I am also seriously considering becoming a cop. But I would agree with e and nyri, since you are almost done with your schooling, try and research and maybe call some people. Start low (or even free) if you have to get your foot in the door.

i plan to retest soon. i got into the background check and then figured out i wasn't ready. i also didn't score as high i hoped on the written so i was a definite to get into the academy.

I was initially hired at $8.00/hr as a part-time officer. Some agencies also have unpaid reserves.

I meant in his field, not becoming a cop. I was trying to tell him to actually try to get a job in his field first and if needed start low somewhere...

I was about to take biological science, but i switched to environmental toxicology. You're right about people having difficulties finding jobs. My friends are having the same trouble graduating from UC Berkeley and other places. The thing is that they're book smart (bunch of bookworms, nerds) but in the real world they don't know how to do the work. I'm not pointing fingers at your friends, i'm talking about some smart ass ap kids that i knew from high school who recently graduated don't know how to do the work cuz they got no experience.

Yeah, I'm still going to try to get a job as a laboratory worker or assistant. However, if that doesn't work, instead of waiting around for the economy to bounce back, I'll shoot for becoming an officer.

^ Alot are in the same boat, maybe not going into the police field but something other than what they studied... I still have 3 years or so before my bachelors so Im hoping the tides change...

The economy is such shit right now...

its getting better.

Yeah, but not fast enough. It's especially bad here in California. The unemployment rate here is 12%.

admit it, you just wanna be a cop so you can speed w/o fear.

The economy in California is pretty bad, but you have to be willing to move to start your career. After you have experience, then you can try to go back home. Its an innvestment in your career that you have to make when you dont have an ordinary job. I've already convinced myself that I have to move away in January.

Good point. I'm thinking about relocating to find a job as well.

i thought you always wanted to be a male stripper?

Cops and strippers, huh? Too much pr0n.

i just like to make friends with cops. don't want to become one. good luck.