Becoming a Police Officer: The Job

Police work is far from a 9 A.M to 5 P.M, Monday to Friday occupation.  A Police Officer could be assigned to work any day of the week at any time. The average work week is 40-44 hours a week.  Many agencies go with shift work, working 12 hour shifts. Example: I work 4 days on 4 days off, 12 hour shifts, 2 days then 2 nights. Working shift work may have some disadvantages but it's far from a humdrum existence.

What's the money like you may ask, well many large departments start officers off at $40,000 and you can work your way up close to $80,000, some even higher. As depending on what route your career takes you could make over $100,000 with promotions.

There are many other benefits of the job, usually early retirement with a full pension, sick leave, lots of vacation, paid uniforms, cool gear, excitement and job security.

But one thing I would say before you close down your laptop and sign up, think about the stress this job will place on your family or the family you plan to have. You end up missing alot of "family functions," your on a totally different schedule from your "normal" friends and it's a dangerous job. That's why you see alot of cops marry fellow cops. That's a decision you must make, to me it's worth it.