SpecOp9 0 Posted November 24, 2004 Well one more year of Flashpoint goodness and then I move on to the big open world. I will be attending a police college or if you want to say (Police Academy) and then will be taking my civil service examination in Boston, and will be trying for the Salem Police dept. here in Massachusetts where I live. Is anybody else here a police officer, or planning on being one, or a retired Police man? I could really use some pointers and tips just to get myself ready and prepared for this great career I plan on taking. I already sent an Email to my dept. and they replied.. "mark, first congratulations on your career choice, many people your age have yet to choose a career and squander their college years trying to decide what they want to do. I suspect that you will never know that problem. Second, our roster on the web site is a little out of date, we are currently 16 officers short from our previous level due to budget cuts. We do have a hiring list available to us that will allow us to fill those jobs should our budget ever get restored to its previous level, however, that list will need to be refilled as many of our officers will be reaching retirement age over the next several years. Your chances of landing a spot on that list are only hindered by your ability to take the civil service test and do well on it. Also, we do grant preference to Salem residents when hiring. hope this helps. regards, captain jodoin" Thanks in advance. Spec Cop needs some guidance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crashdome 3 Posted November 24, 2004 My buddy just became a cop. I remember him telling me how much he was out of shape (He decided to join at the age of 35 btw) and how much homework he had to do. It's not much detail, but says alot... Reminds me... he was undergoing training for testing for drunk driving and the entire department set up a free session for any civilians to come and drink ALL THEY WANTED from noon until 5. Then the trainees tested them and in the end everyone got a ride home. and I missed this because of a stupid exam.... Free booze,... free ride.... .. damn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozanzac 0 Posted November 24, 2004 One thing that ought to make a big difference to your career prospects in any Police Force. Do you have a criminal/police record...anything at all? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpecOp9 0 Posted November 24, 2004 One thing that ought to make a big difference to your career prospects in any Police Force.Do you have a criminal/police record...anything at all? Nope...my record is completely clean, and never had any trouble with the police at all. Â Anybody with a Felony is not able to be a Police officer. Â As for driving violations and other things like that, it's only a few months you need to wait to be eligible for acceptance in a Police Department. Â And for that I don't need to wait at all. Right now I just need to work on my physical side of things... Â I'm about average size and everything, but need to really work on my cardiovascular system..which is obviously very important to a police officers job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Placebo 29 Posted November 24, 2004 For running to the donut store when they're holding a sale? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted November 24, 2004 For running to the donut store when they're holding a sale? Â Do they discount the ones with or without the holes in 'em? And yes, I'm asking about the donuts - not the cops! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winters 1 Posted November 24, 2004 Also, we do grant preference to Salem residents when hiring. Â hope this helps. Â regards, captain jodoin" Guess that means he will get his donuts at half price Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybob2002 0 Posted November 24, 2004 My former professor, ex-cop for a "urban" county, remembers coming out of training in tip top shape but, a year or so after training, he loss the "fitness". The reason was that cops sit on their butts for majority of their shift. Furthermore, he said it is pretty boring job and is nothing like cops. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpecOp9 0 Posted November 24, 2004 My former professor, ex-cop for a "urban" county, remembers coming out of training in tip top shape but, a year or so after training, he loss the "fitness". The reason was that cops sit on their butts for majority of their shift. Furthermore, he said it is pretty boring job and is nothing like cops. Yea I know But hey I would love to get paid to drive around and stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cobra@pulse 0 Posted November 24, 2004 Out of interest, where you wanting to be anything specific in the force or just regular good old cop? Advice to you aswell, ask the station if you could spend a day with them, get to "ride along" tell 'em your interested and ask if you could spend a day with some cops, get a feel for it if you know what i mean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpecOp9 0 Posted November 24, 2004 Out of interest, where you wanting to be anything specific in the force or just regular good old cop?Advice to you aswell, ask the station if you could spend a day with them, get to "ride along" tell 'em your interested and ask if you could spend a day with some cops, get a feel for it if you know what i mean. I just want to be the regular joe shmo cop.  Patrol basically.  And if I get a call like domestic disturbance or something I go and check it out. And yea I was thinking the same thing about taking a little tour and maybey taking a ride with an officer for a shift.  I think that would be cool. (if they would allow it). As soon as I am in the force, I'll have to be with a partner anyway before I do my own stuff.  For a few years too likely...but I think that would be fun and I should ask them sometime when I'm done with college. A officer told me that I don't really need a college degree in Criminal Justice, I just need some type of degree.  But I'll likely take a few Criminal Justice courses anyway for the pure sake of it... I would think that New York City and Boston and al those other large cities require MUCH more to become a police officer.  Where I live is a nice little city.  The police officer made it sound like it's "no sweat" to join that Department in specific.  But I did some extensive research, and I'm expecting and prepared for a real difficult thing.  And as long as I'm prepared he said I should do fine. But I'm trying to get involved with the Salem Police as much as possible while I'm still at my young age.  This will help me in the long run I suppose when it comes time for my interview and stuff.  I am going to offer to rebuild their webpage (because the one they have now is absolute CRAP, for free. (it was last updated in the year 2002) which is pretty bad. But in any case, hopefully all will go well.  I still have a lot of research I need to do for myself...I'm taking my final "Law" class in High School right now... And blahh blahh blahh who gives two shits  basically I'm not worried about the actual job, but GETTING the job is what's going to be my difficult part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted November 24, 2004 And yea I was thinking the same thing about taking a little tour and maybey taking a ride with an officer for a shift. Â I think that would be cool. (if they would allow it). My guess is that there's no insurance coverage for such joy rides and who in their right mind would want to risk the liability. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpongeBob 0 Posted November 24, 2004 And yea I was thinking the same thing about taking a little tour and maybey taking a ride with an officer for a shift. Â I think that would be cool. (if they would allow it). My guess is that there's no insurance coverage for such joy rides and who in their right mind would want to risk the liability. You have to sign a waiver, that's what I had to do when I went on ride alongs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ran 0 Posted November 24, 2004 Uniformed police duty has been the shittiest job i've ever had in my life ... I hope it's different in the United States. -not enough action -offices filled with complete dumbasses and retards who've been refused a job in a post office -inter-services wars -stupid time table -awfull for the physical shape -requires as much skills and knowledge as drinking beer -too much chicaneries -ungratefull people -work in all weathers Do your best to go in branches such as criminal investigation... Uniformed duty is just shitty and I guess you're worth much more than that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RED 0 Posted November 24, 2004 -requires as much skills and knowledge as drinking beer Im in! :P I have often considered a career in the (UK) police but have never pursued it, maybe one day.. RED Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted November 24, 2004 Have I got a mug for you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cobra@pulse 0 Posted November 24, 2004 Avon, lol I have always wondered about police service over here in the UK as well, but I have a strange fasination with the military (dont ask why) so I still haven't made my mind up yet; Airforce or Police BTW, Spec Op, thats a nice station you got there, just a bit of a mess in the lab: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ran 0 Posted November 24, 2004 I forgot to add that it's underpaid All that is for France at least as I don't know how the service is in the USA ;) Good luck with your career plan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BoweryBaker 0 Posted November 25, 2004 The funnest part about being a cop would to me be trying to win the drunk goggles game. Let's see who can stand up and catch a quarter with the drunk goggles on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redface 1 Posted November 25, 2004 what if they find out you have been shooting people on the internet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpecOp9 0 Posted November 26, 2004 what if they find out you have been shooting people on the internet? Well once they learn it was Operation Flashpoint they will be like "well, he has had all the training he needs I guess" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IceFire 0 Posted November 26, 2004 Hey SpecOp9, This is interesting. I thought I saw you on the Real Police forums asking this same exact thread there. I would have replied to the thread directly instead of PMing you but the forum wouln't let me post for some reason. Must have been a glitch. This is funny hahaha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpecOp9 0 Posted November 26, 2004 Hey SpecOp9,This is interesting. Â I thought I saw you on the Real Police forums asking this same exact thread there. I would have replied to the thread directly instead of PMing you but the forum wouln't let me post for some reason. Â Must have been a glitch. This is funny hahaha. LOL!! That is very funny, I would'nt even imagine someone from here would know I posted something on that site :-P Small world after all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEATHBULLET 0 Posted November 26, 2004 My friend is going for cop right now..I get to talk to him once in a while hardly talks about it.You see a lawyer,doctor,physiochtrist(?),or surgeon is the easiest job you can get in the world when your going for a cop its nothing but laws and physical training at the same time so mentally and physically (hard work). Dont mistake yourself if you are physically fit you will pass it, you also got to study alot! when i mean alot i mean BIG liike the 10 codes bill of rights stuff all that. Best I can say is you jump shitloads of fences and walls,run,do excercises that get you strenght and screaming at the same time like military stuff. Shooting is also a bitch. I heard the officers scream at you for shit like missing shots. Well sorry 4 my english but if your willing to become a cop i suggest preparations,good attitude,organized and mentallly & physically fit. PS:Time will tell if your willing to copperate in this job or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites