Should I Become A Police Officer In 2024? - Advice from Officers

As someone who did not make it in law enforcement, here’s my advice: you need to reflect on your life and ask yourself am I willing to put myself into harms ways on a daily basis and am I okay with stepping up in a situation where I may lose my life? For me that answer was no. I was on the job and had that answer come to me only a couple months in. I resigned because I couldn’t handle it. There are thousands of people who can, and the majority of the public respect LE and call on them every day. If you can answer their call, do it but think about the risk before you apply and raise your right hand

Thanks for this Scott!

Respect brother, just got my dream job working mobile patrol

Prayers to all cops & their families. It’s a sacrifice that many do not understand unless they are a cop or a spouse of a cop. Many thanks! 💙💙

This was inspirational. Thank you.

Im certain this is what I want to do. I have worked a dozen different jobs over the last 10 years, and have always come back to wanting to get into law enforcement. Its like its gnawing at the back of my mind, "you can do more" "you can be better". I want to help people, and from what I have dealt with in my life, I know that I can do some good in this world, because I am always willing to do the things that noone else is willing to do. What ever it takes to make my community safe for the people I care about, and set a good example for those around me. There is a lot of crime in my area, and while I wont be able to stop it all, I can at least have a direct hand in its reduction. Your videos along with officer 401 and Mike the Cop have been very informative and helpful in learning a portion of what Im in for. I know there are a lot of bad things out there, but thats why I want to do this. Not because I want to see dead people, but because I want that victim's family to sleep easy knowing that the person who caused all their grief is behind bars. Im doing this because I care about people. If it works out, I'm more than likely going to become a detective. LET THE PAPERWORK ROLL IN!

This was so cool to watch! I appreciate how the advice is always leaning towards “remember who you are and why you got into this”. It seems like many of the outcomes in the job depends on an individual’s attitude.

As someone who is seriously thinking about joining Law Enforcement, I was wondering if you have any insight as to how life is during the academy and during the probationary period/rookie year (year 1). I assume it’s stressful given you have to study and learn everyday especially as a new officer. However, something I will be prioritizing after leaving my current career is to ensure I have a work/life balance and time for my family/personal relationships. So my question is the following - do recruit officers during the academy and rookie officers during their 1st year have the ability to create a work/life balance?

Thank you for your insight! Your videos are amazing and very informative to those of us who want to join this career and make a difference.

I like this. I've finished the hiring process for a Sheriff's Department in what's known as the worst county in my state because we have over 2 million people, all the most dangerous cities, and just constant intense activity and I can honestly say I have no regrets applying and going through the process with my county because I know that for me personally it's worth it regardless of whether people say it's worth it or not.

Just started the process now. Passed the written exam and have the fitness test in two weeks. Being a Police Officer is something I always wanted to do. I am 21 years old now and finishing my Bachelor’s degree now

I put in 25 years as a state game warden, and it nearly put me in an early grave. Not just because of bad guys with bad intentions. Every cop has to deal with that. It was the stress, compounded by 24/7 call with no sleep, irregular diet, sporadic exercise, no social life to speak of, abusive command staff, and a string of governors who hated game wardens. The lot of us were burned out beyond our time. At one point, I even quit using high beams and take-downs at night to avoid pissing someone off and the inevitable complaint that would soon follow. Yes, it can get THAT bad.

Thanks

I did for over 35 years. I have no regrets but I am glad it's behind me. All of the coppers I used to work who are also retired all say the same thing as well. If I had to do over again knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it. If you are really determined I would suggest going federal.

Too many so called bad apples in law enforcement nowadays, makes one think law enforcement is a career for criminals who want to get away with crimes & broken people. It takes away from people who genuinely love and have a passion for the career.

I did 36 years. If I started today, I would have never made it. If I did, I would have had bad mental problems.

4 Things You Really Need to Know if You Want to Be a LEO:
1) Learn that your highest duty is to honor and respect your fellow citizens - no matter who they are. Also, they’re not Civilians. They’re your fellow citizens! Your fellow citizens who’ve granted you a serious and grave responsibility and legal authority to deprive them of their freedom and even use deadly force if necessary. You didn’t get that authority from the Mayor, City Manager, Sheriff or CoP, it is entrusted to you by your fellow citizens and they genuinely and desperately want to trust and respect you. Please help them do that! This means keeping your ego and personal feelings in check at all times. PS-get regular mental health and spiritual counseling.
2) Learn the laws you’re sworn to enforce. The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It supersedes department policy, municipal codes, state law and the whims and caprices of fickle politicians who won’t hesitate to throw you under the bus. Also it will make your job much easier. Knowing what you can’t do is more important than trying to see what you can get away with. Also following the Constitution will keep your Qualified Immunity intact, keep you from getting charged by the Feds and keep you out of prison.
3) Abide by the laws you’re sworn to enforce. Don’t be a hypocrite. Don’t make exceptions and excuses for yourself and your fellow officers. Do not do things you know you’d cite and or arrest a fellow citizen who did the same thing. Don’t be a “do as I say” cop but rather be a “do as I do” cop. We are a nation of laws not men!
4) Most Important of All: Hold your fellow officers accountable to the law and for doing the right thing! If you can’t do that - YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY BECOME THE THING YOU DIDN’T WANT TO BE - A CORRUPT COP! The “good” cop who doesn’t stop the bad cop has herself become a bad cop. If you don’t have the intestinal fortitude integrity and courage to do that one thing, then please by all means, quit immediately and, go do something else.

I wanna say if you wanna do law enforcement as a career try doing a ride along to see what is like. I did that and I knew from the start I loved this job

Love this! Usually you’d expect everyone to say “no” because of the stigma around law enforcement nowadays but this motivates me to stay true to myself and continue to pursue a law enforcement career!

Wow thanks for the inspiration nd advice which reinforced my dream to be a great cop…more vids like this!👌

Thanks for the video Scott! I’m excited after the army to go out and apply to my local dependents, it isn’t till 2026 tho

Hold on... Did that guy say it took him 3 years to get hired!? What!?