So, who are the present/former cops on CAP Talk?

[DrJbdm]

I graduated from the Travis County Sheriffs Academy in 1993, but chose not to become a Police Officer till 1997, I wanted to finish college first and then go to paramedic school,

I started out as a deputy constable for the Williamson County Constables office pct 2 in 1997

then became a police officer for the Leander Police Department; currently I work as a Senior Police Officer for the Jonestown Police Dept. I have worked:

Lake Patrol (both on a boat and a jetski)
background Investigator
patrol services division
warrants
community services division
school resource officer
police instructor

  I love the job! Yes, the pay isn't the best but it does beat many any other career fields. Besides, you get paid to drive around, surf the net in your patrol car, take a jetski out during the summer, sit around and BS with your fellow officers and put stupid people in jail.....whats not to like??

[wuzafuzz]

4 years law enforcement explorer for a sheriff's dept.  Always insisted I was a "gonna-be" instead of a "wannabe."

6 years airport patrol officer and crash fire rescue dude.  Borderline law enforcement, but it was a start. 

8 years PT campus cop for a multi-campus community college district (concurrent with airport and crime scene job).  Kind of like a reserve, but paid. Typical campus balancing act of keeping educators and administrators blissfully ignorant of the real world while protecting them and students from the same.  Everything from shaking doors to shootings, stabbings, sex offenses, etc.  Tried to hang on after my night vision tanked, finally my wife's job moved us to another state.

6 years sheriff's crime scene guy.  Sworn at, not sworn.  Did crime scene analysis, photography (crime scene, aerial, pics of sheriff's shiny toys, and everything else they wanted), latent print comparisons, evidence processing, computer forensics, surveillance, and whatever else was beneath sworn personnel (or above, depending on which deputy was involved...        ).

All that was in Southern California.

Now I'm a computer systems admin / jack of all trades for an insurance company in Colorado.  Least challenging but best paying of all the listed jobs.  Go figure.  First job with weekends off in 20 years!

[cap235629]

had a total of 12 years in LE counting military "I was an MP when they still were called 95B"
2 years active duty (couldn't make the weight standard after traumatic injury) then as a reserve in my hometown.  Walked a beat in Boston's projects as a rule 400 special officer for 5 years (under contract with Comm of Mass/US HUD patrolling HUD properties) full authority except traffic enforcement (kinda hard to chase speeders on foot, besides was WAY too busy with gangs and guns)  Took a job in dispatch at UMASS to go to school, became NREMT-I with advanced protocols (Narcan, coma cocktails, subQ epi, etc. intubation of adults/peds, manual defib etc.) worked on an ambulance and went back to HUD and worked for a short time for a local fire department as an EMT/Dispatcher (was working three jobs cause momma needed to stay home with the babies).  Also appointed a Constable serving papers and working child support enforcement.  Moved to Arkansas, started at a large PD as a dispatcher, hired on a 6 man department soon after (thought I wanted a "retirement job"), then finished in the SO of a small Arkansas county.  Finally got tired of being wrong all the time (you know what I mean) and left LE in 2000.  I do miss it sometimes but in the last 7 years I haven't missed a ball game, dance recital, band concert, Boy Scout Trip or holiday.  I also don't miss meth or kids caught in the middle of their idiotic parents mess of a life.  I still retain a VERY low tolerance for stupidity though.   

[Hawk200]

I'm a DOD cop.  People argue whether or not we're "real cops",

Who exactly argues that you're not "real cops"? Sounds like moronic BS. Did you go to one of the FLETC sites, BTW?

Anyway, not a cop. For some reason, a lot of people think I'm one. Not sure why. My father (34 year Sherrif's Deputy) says it's because I seem to always be aware of my surroundings, and that I stand up straight. Never would have figured that such behaviour would equate.

Considering becoming a constable after I return from the sandbox. Then again, may change my mind by then. Time will tell.

[Stonewall]

I'm a DOD cop.  People argue whether or not we're "real cops",

Who exactly argues that you're not "real cops"? Sounds like moronic BS. Did you go to one of the FLETC sites, BTW?

Funny thing is, a lot of our own people have an identity crisis.  Some tried to get on to the local PD, which has a waiting list 100 miles long, so they feel that they have to settle.  Truth is, our training, equipment and pay is about even, if not, better.  Only thing is, we don't get take-home cars.  I've had a take home car, it ain't exactly peaches and cream.

We used to send officers to FLETC for the basic uniformed officer course, or something like that, for 10 weeks, but my region, which is navy, found it easier and cheaper, to use the same course curriculum as well as some of their instructors, and run our own academy.  We did a 10-weeker (in 9 weeks due to Christmas) at Kings Bay sub base.  They've got a phenomenal training area and indoor range that's only like 3 years old.  Can shoot everything up to M-240/M-60 in there.  Excellent facilities and the training wasn't bad.  I got Distinguished Graduate and "Top Gun" (best shooter).  They hold 3 academies a year, so they're usually booked up with an entire region, I think 8 or 9 states, hiring all the time.

Truthfully, the job is cool.  I really like the job.  I can't say much for our current leadership, but the job itself is a lot of fun.  Still looking for other options as LE is not my first choice.

[SAR-EMT1]

 I have worked in the past as a  Dispatcher for EMS, Fire, and PD. I have also been on a department call list for EMS vollunteers in the event of an LE incident where EMS support is required.
( No sworn EMS on the dept )

The only time this has ever been called into use was a local hostage situation this summer. ( Though there is talk of using it during methlab incidents)

My goal in life is to get a med waiver and get into the service. Barring that to become a Flight Medic or a Sworn Tactical Medic/EMT on a SWAT Team.

[stillamarine]

Was a Deputy in Michigan for about a year, after my deployment the Stan moved to FL and didnt feel like switching my standards.

I worked a second job while I was a deputy as a Security Officer and liked that. I now do that full time as an Area Supervisor for a large international company (not all it's cracked up to be, I miss the small local company I worked for before).

Currently I have

NRA LE Handgun Instructor Certification
Monadnock Expandable Baton Instructor
PATH Instructor

Coming up on recert for my Handgun Instructor, instead going to take their Handgun/Shotgun Instructor
Then I'm getting my OCAT Instructor, MOAB Instructor, and possibly TASER Instructor and possibly moving up to TN and starting a school and consulting business.

I liked LE but I love what I do now and even though I make crap for money, I don't think I'd do anything else.

[flyguy06]

I used to be a Police Officer for a County Police Department. I enjoyed it. I like LE, but Ilove aviation which why I am pursing an airline career. If the airline thing doesnt work out, I will probably go back into LE but only if I can fly. Airplanes perferably.

[caplegalnc]

I was a police officer from '85 to '92 in a city PD.  Was an FTO and on the tactical team.  I went to school and got a BA.  I went to the state as a Probation Officer from '94 to '97.  I was sworn as reserve deputy in '96 and remain certified. Had some time as a military police (95B) team leader for a year or so in the Guard.  Left to go to school in '97.  Got my law degree, my ticket to practice, and a Darth Vader mask as I went to the dark side in 2000.