Being a police officer can be among the most rewarding jobs, and many get drawn to the adventure aspect of it, from fighting crime to catching delinquents and the whole adrenalin rush that comes with it. However, the reality of it is that the job of a police officer is not for everyone. Some people might be better suited for it while others might not handle the pressure. Whether we’re talking about the rigorous training that you’ll have to go through or the tough situations that you might have to deal with, becoming a police officer should be treated as something serious, and not as something that would get you the adrenalin fix that you want.
When looking for police officer jobs, the best thing to do is research it thoroughly in order to have a good understanding of the things that you will have to go through beforehand. A career in law enforcement can be exciting. You would be getting job security, and have the chance to fight crime, but there are also downsides to it. Make sure that once you decide to follow this career path you are aware of the ins and outs of what it implies. Be certain you are ready to make that leap.
The Good Side
If you’re a person that doesn’t like habit and doing the same thing from 9 to 5 every day, then being a police officer might interest you. Job satisfaction rates can be very high for police officers, as the work they have to do is very dynamic. Chances are you won’t see two days that are exactly the same, as you can never know where you’ll get dispatched or what situation you will have to handle. In addition, you’d also be getting to work with your team and partners many times and help the community. This can be very fulfilling in this line of work.
Besides being a respectable job that will provide you with a sense of pride, you will also get certain benefits as an officer. While you won’t get insanely rich in this line of work, most police officer can earn above the median income. You will get compensation, such as court pay, longevity pay, or incentives in case you speak foreign languages. You can also retire early if you choose, and you get top quality life insurance. Once you retire, you can live off your pension which you get after all the hard work you put in.
The Bad Side
However, there are also negative sides to being a cop. First of all, officers tend to work irregular hours, which can take a toll on you physically and on your personal life. Fatigue brought on by this type of career is a real issue and can be the result of poor sleep, poor dietary choices, excessive overtime and also stress.
Besides the long hiring process, the training that you’ll have to complete is though. Even if you are a person that likes to stay in shape and you manage to get through training, you should expect it to be difficult. In addition, you will have to keep staying in shape once you become an officer. Add that to the daily stress that you have to go through and some might not find this like a very appealing line of work. Things can take a toll on your body; bad habits start creeping in and being constantly active might seem difficult.
Of course, there is also the fact that being a police officer is a dangerous job. While the training that you go through will prepare you for what you’ll have to deal with, there will be situations where you can’t be prepared enough. At some point, you might have to deal with high-pressure situations which, in itself, can attract burnout after a while. Once you add in danger to the mix, this becomes a whole different ball game.
Given that you will be exposed every day to human conflict and misery, you will tend to get a narrow picture of what society is, which can lead to you becoming cynical. Some officers develop post-traumatic stress disorder after going through frightening situations or being exposed to dramatic scenes. While it has its upsides, there are also cons to becoming a police officer, which you should definitely take into consideration before making a move.
