Interview by Janet Scarborough
with S.P., Police Officer employed by large city agency.
What does a police
officer at your agency do?
The official answer would
be - law enforcement and emergency response. But, more accurately
- law enforcement plus mediator, counselor, baby sitter, traffic
control, the 'blue taxi', animal control.....
What does a typical
day look like in your profession?
There is no 'typical' day. That's what
I like about this job (see below) - I come to work and literally do not
know what to expect. Mind-numbing boredom or one call after the next
with no time to eat in between. But one constant is the huge amount of
paperwork that has to be dealt with.
What
do you like best about your job?
The fact that I can come
to work and know that tonight is not like the one before, or like any
other night. I enjoy being mobile and not being confined to an office.
I can be as proactive as I want, I can go where I want within my sector,
and I am given a great deal of responsibility. I love dealing with people,
even if it's a difficult call. People interaction and sometimes actually
being able to help someone.
What is most challenging
about your job?
Public perception, fed by the media.
The lack of support in the general community. The fact that you
almost expect to be punished for doing a good job. The constant
risk and the side-effects on your health due to stress, shift hours,
and frustration. Being away from family. The lack of friends that
are not in law enforcement. The thought of ending up in a shooting
incident or other fatal situation.
How did you land this
job?
I went on a few ridealongs once I knew that this was something
I was interested in doing. Then I applied and took the civil service
and physical fitness tests. Then came the background investigation etc.
and 6 months police academy.
What was your professional
background before accepting your current job?
Freelance graphic designer and illustrator.
What is your educational
background?
College, B.A. Fine Arts.
What are important skills to have to do well in your job?
Good
people skills, i.e being a good listener. Maturity and some life experience.
Respect. Flexible thinking. Ability to take charge in difficult situations.
Keep control of the situation and your own reactions to it. Keep a sense
of humor and don't let the job swallow you whole.
What advice do you
have for someone considering a job similar to your own?
Don't
do it if it's important to you to be liked. Most people you deal
with will not like you for what you represent. In fact. some of
those people might try to kill you without a second thought. If
you can't deal with that become a fire fighter instead ;-) Keep
a life outside of the job and keep your sense of humor. Don't let
the negativity drag you down emotionally and spiritually. You will
see the worst of people almost every single day. The times when
you see good people doing good things will be very rare. Never
forget that you might have to take a human life. Keep your respect
for life despite everything. Be aware of the effects the job can
and will have on you psychologically and physically. Shift work
is difficult to handle - not just the hours, but also the effect
on family/social life.
Are there any commonly
held misperceptions about your career that you would like to clarify?
I can't even begin to answer that question here, but there is
a great book I would like to recommend to anyone interested in law enforcement.
It's called "Stoning the Keepers at the Gate - Society's Relationship
with Law Enforcement" by Dr. Lawrence N. Blum.
What is the income
potential in your field?
Beginning at $20 and up to
$30 an hour. There is great opportunity for overtime and off-duty
work, so the pay can range quite a bit. Good health benefits, good
retirement.
What are your long-term
career goals?
Stay in street patrol for as long as
I enjoy doing it, take the detective's test in a few years. I would
like to specialize in forensic art within the department and end
up in the Homicide Unit.
Any other comments?
It's definitely not a job
for everybody - but if it suits you, it's a blast! I feel very lucky
to get paid for something I enjoy this much.
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