| If you are interested in becoming a police officer, | | | | stop when you're off duty. You may be called |
| you are probably aware of how tough it is to get | | | | upon to assist with a situation at any time. |
| the job. You have to go through rigorous mental | | | | However, these extra hours often come with |
| and physical screening and training, and for good | | | | overtime pay. |
| reason. Police work is a noble career, but it can | | | | 6. The stress level is high. The community's |
| also be a difficult life. Find out what to expect | | | | safety is in your hands, and your work will not |
| should you be invited to join the force: | | | | always be respected. You have to be able to |
| 1. You have to be fit. To become a police officer, | | | | tolerate people not trusting you because of the |
| you must pass a fitness test, and you will be | | | | actions of other police officers, and you may find |
| required to accomplish various fitness challenges | | | | yourself rebuilding trust on a regular basis. |
| at the police academy. | | | | 7. People skills are a must. Not only will you work |
| 2. Police Academy it is not. With the notable | | | | on a daily basis with your partner, but you must |
| exception of Bubba Smith's character, most of | | | | also represent the police to the community. Your |
| the characters in Police Academy would not have | | | | every action will be under scrutiny, either by your |
| made it through the door. The training, which lasts | | | | supervisor, your peers or the public at large. |
| around 12 weeks, is difficult and exhausting. | | | | 8. You can enjoy many benefits. By this point, |
| 3. No shooting for shooting's sake. Movies and | | | | you might be wondering if a law enforcement |
| television would lead you to believe that police | | | | career is too difficult for you. However, there's a |
| officers can start firing away at perps. However, | | | | payoff. Police officers enjoy job stability, overtime |
| you will learn to be a good shot, and you will learn | | | | pay and a pension, which is more than many |
| when it is and is not appropriate to use your | | | | other careers can offer. |
| weapon. | | | | After reading this list, you may be surprised to |
| 4. Some desk work is required. It's not all action | | | | discover that police work is more boring than you |
| all the time. You will need to write reports of | | | | expected. However, for someone who likes |
| what happened, and those reports must be | | | | change on the job, likes interacting with others |
| accurate and detailed because they can be used | | | | and likes learning something new all the time, |
| as evidence in court. | | | | police work is a good choice. |
| 5. You will work long, irregular hours. Crime won't | | | | |