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Posted about 1 month ago What would you guys do? If you are employed with an agency as a detention officer, and you hate this job, what would you do? Would you find the job that you want, or would you just stick with this job that you care nothing about? This is not the area that I want to be working in in law enforcement. I want to be a patrol officer. I am miserable and don't know what to do. Any advice or help would be appreciated. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago You need to find the job that you want.....that's what I'm currently working on as well. "Justice is truth in action." -- Joseph Joubert |
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| Posted about 1 month ago It just seems like it is never going to happen. I want to be a patrol officer, not a detention officer. I thought I would like this job, but I was wrong, it's not what I want to be doing with my life. I just don't see stressing everyday because I hate my job and don't want to be doing it. That can't be good for your body. Why work a job that you hate? Corrections isn't the job for me and I admire those that can do it and stay with it as a career choice. I hope you find your job as well. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago You can only be truly happy if you are doing a job that you love...not many people get to experience that. Go with your heart. Push to be a patrol officer. Take every test for every department you can. Get your foot in the door and then eventually you will go to a Department where you love to work and then you will be happy. Being a Tyrant does not make one a Leader! |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Do what RC said. In a lot of county agencies around here, people get in the door as a CO, waiting to have a shot at a sworn deputy position. Sometimes it takes forever, or sometimes it happens, and you're still stuck in the jails or courts. Others wait a long time as more jr people come in and move up because of the politics of a place. But a lot of COs in this area get some experience in the jails, then try and apply at any and all job openings at police depts in the area for patrol positions. Might be the way to go if you feel stuck in your position. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Stick to the job you have for now and be opening doors to other options. Go through some interviews and tests and see what happens for you. KSP494
PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY! |
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| Posted about 1 month ago I worked a job I had no liking for and it showed in my performance. It is not healthy for your mind or body and you could end up getting yourself or someone else hurt. I would suggest as others have, apply for evey LEO position available in your area and neighboring states if you don't mind moving to another locale. "the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of moral crisis, do nothing." Dante |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Search, apply, test, and GO! Start somewhere, anywhere. Expand your education, and KEEP YOUR GOOD REPUTATION. Don't bang out sick or slack off where you are because the GOOD job is gonna check, and won't hire you if they think your a slacker - regardless of what reasons you may give!! Keep looking, keep trying, don't get frustrated,and don't turn down a position that is a littlecloser to what you want just because it may not be exactly where you want to be, or too small, too big of an agency, or whatever. GOOD LUCK.. It took me 7 years!! |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Everyone would hate a job they dislike. Read papers check out Become a cop on PoliceLink and then apply study and become a LEO. The fact is we all had to start somewhere so now it's time for you. If you need the present job for income stay there and do your searching. " IF YOU HEAR THE SHOT IT MEANS I MISSED,I'M THE RANGE OFFICER I DON'T MISS" |
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| Posted about 1 month ago I started in the Jail and hated it. but I did my time in there, it was a starting point. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Don't do a job you don't like. Time to move on |
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| Posted about 1 month ago The thing with this agency is that it can take two or more years before you are sent to the academy. Then I heard that they are going to send individuals that can qualify with a firearm first over everyone else. I don't really want to wait that long before I go to the academy. I guess the smart thing to do would be to stay there until I find a patrol position. I appreciate everyone's advice. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Unless it is a job requirment of your agency, move on to something else before your frustration causes you to make a mistake that would hinder your chances to get the job you want, if it is a job requirement then change your attitude and learn as much as you can about the people that are incarcerated, because as a LEO you will see them again and again. KL076 |
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| Posted about 1 month ago There are tons of cop jobs out there, just start hitting the applications. You'll get on somewhere, even if it takes you a year or so. Just keep it in your mind, you are doing this to pay the rent/bills, for the kids, wife, or cat....whatever you have. I had a great job(that sucked personally) working security for a DoD contractor. It had really great pay, benefits, etc.... and after 3 1/2 years I couldn't stand doing that anymore. I already had my Police Officer cert. and was working as a reserve officer elsewhere for awhile....then found a job and loved it. Now....I'm content, but also unhappy, but not at the level I was at my old job. I don't have enough challenges, same cases, same turds....now I'm looking to go federal. I feel my talents as a LEO lies elsewhere. Good luck, you'll land on your feet somewhere. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Easy, find a new job, but find one BEFORE you quit....thats the key! "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. " |
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| Posted about 1 month ago It sucks going to a job that you don't like. The pay and benefits might be good, but the impact it has on you mentally isn't. It isn't easy getting a job in law enforcement, sometimes the process takes several months, that makes it worse when waiting to get another job. Oh well, I will find something I want. Thanks guys and gals. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago man if i where you i would find another job, if you are that unhappy in your job you might get complacent and then we all know what happens when that occures GOD MADE COPS SO FIREFIGHTERS WOULD HAVE HEROS!
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| Posted about 1 month ago Complacency isn't a good thing, you start slacking and risk making a grave mistake. |
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| Posted 11 days ago
I just wanted to update everyone on my situation and get everyone's advice or opinion. I was terminated from my current agency and rehired. It took a couple of weeks to fight to get my job back, but I did. I was having some serious family problems and my employer didn't understand that. Somehow what I told when I called in got misconstrued. I don't know what my superiors said my reasons for calling in were. I had to miss four days because of my family issues. I tried to handle them the best way that I knew how. Somehow it got around that I called in because I was having babysitting problems, I don't even have kids. I don't know how that rumor got started, but it got back to the higher ups and they believed this lie. The administrative secretary for the training complex called my house one day and spoke with my future sister-in-law. She asked her if I had kids, my sister-in-law didn't really know what to say. I was later told my one of my superiors that she wasn't even suppose to be calling, that I didn't have to speak with her. By the way, she ended up calling me as well and leaving an immature message on my phone's voicemail.
I was on probation during this period and they have it set where you can't miss any time for the first six months. I don't understand this at all, there is no way that you can control what takes place in your life or your family's life. How they can make a policy like this is just ridiculous to me, I understand why they made the policy, because people were abusing leave when they first got hired. I was in no way trying to do this. It seemed to them that I was. I understand that they told all of us that were hired together that you can't miss any time during the first six months, but as I said, I had no control over what happened. I am not going into details because I don't want my brother's business published for everyone to read. I can say that it was serious enough for me to miss time from work. My brother is an immediate family member, so I thought it wouldn't be a big deal. You are supposed to be able to miss time for immediate family if the situation is serious enough.
Anyway, to make this long story short, I went before the Sheriff and did an appeal. I had all of my superiors in the room as well; I didn't think this was fair because I didn't know this was going to take place. I called the Sheriff's secretary and asked if I could speak with the Sheriff about my situation, she called me back and said I could come in and talk with the Sheriff, but she didn't say I would have to sit in front of six other people besides the Sheriff. The Sheriff told me he would give me a written response, he didn't say how long it would be before I received that written response. It was a week before I got anything from the Sheriff. I knew that I would be turned down, I didn't have anyone on my side and a lot of rumors were spread about why I was calling in. I guess all my superiors believed these rumors. I'm sure the Sheriff asked everyone's opinion on if I should get my job back, I'm also pretty sure they said no. The written response said what I knew it would say, no. I went to turn in my gear and uniforms and pick up my final check. The jail administrator happened to be there and I took the opportunity to plea with him about getting the job back. He said he would talk with the Sheriff and call me back. He also said he would call me back when I talked to him before I had the meeting with the Sheriff, but he never did. All this could have been avoided if he would have gotten in touch with me and set something up before the meeting with the Sheriff. Anyway, he never called me back so I made a visit to his office to speak with him about talking with the Sheriff about giving me another chance. He said he would call me back and he never did. I made a couple of phone calls with no success. I finally got in touch with him and he said everything was worked out; I could come back to work. I really appreciated that, and I told him that.
I was supposed to start back to work this Sunday. I didn't, I made a mistake and told them that. I called and was told that a supervisor would call me Monday, he never did. I was never called either by any supervisor to find out where I was, they usually do this at this agency. The Lt. that I spoke with said that he called my old number, which has been disconnected and a new number given. I have provided this agency with my cell phone number because I use that number as my main number because I'm out and about a lot. That is the best number to call to try and reach me. Anyway, like I said, my supervisor never called me, but the same secretary for the training unit called me and wanted to know why I didn't report to work Sunday. Why did she call me again when she isn't supposed to be doing this? I was told I didn't have to speak with her, only uniformed personnel. I just don't feel like this agency is very good at calling you and finding out what's going on with their employees. I am suppose to report to work Wednesday, if they don't choose to terminate me again, which would be stupid because I haven't been able to speak with my supervisor and tell him why I didn’t report to work.
I just want everyone's thoughts, opinions, and advice on this situation. I am really frustrated with this agency right now. I am trying to do my best with everything that has been going on lately. Between my family issues and being terminated, and then being rehired after fighting to get the job back, I just needed to get all of that off my chest. I appreciate everyone that takes the time to read this and comment.
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| Posted 11 days ago It's been a while since I conversed with you, and the last time I remember you were having weight and health issues, one thing I would say is, if you can't cut the mustard in detention, patrol is no easier. How fast are you doing the mile and a half run, how many push-ups are you up to right now? The grass is never greener on the other side, I have chased greener pastures before and they all have their negative sides to deal with, if you get labeled a hobo employee or trouble maker with a list of job history problems you will be shooting yourself in the foot, never to get the job you want. |
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| Posted 11 days ago I passed the physical agility test. I am not a trouble employee, I do my job and do what I'm told. I am also very respectful to my co-workers and superiors. I think this agency needs to take a look at themselves and stop judging their employees who do their job and stay out of trouble. There is a lot of unethical issues going on at this agency and they want to fire someone with legit issues for missing work. They need to deal with all the employees who are having relationships with the inmates and causing problems at work. They don't really take the time to find out what's going on with you, they believe rumors and lies before they believe the truth. Too much gossip goes on at this agency. I am really starting to consider why I chose law enforcement as a career choice in the first place. I've gotten a first hand look at how most individuals in law enforcement work, and it hasn't been pretty. I am pretty disappointed with this field. This agency has really made me consider a career change, I know not all agencies are the same, but most of the same problems happen at other agencies. The superiors look at those under them as little pions that they can try to intimidate and treat however they want to. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to put this field down, I really want a career out of this field, but the last couple of agencies that I've worked for is really making me question my career choice. There are so many problems taking place with this agency, why don't they deal with the serious problems and leave me alone. |
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| Posted 11 days ago You kind of skimmed over my question, How fast is your mile and a half, and how many push-ups are you at right now? |
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| Posted 11 days ago alienbow says ...
I've read all your posts so far and you sound like a whiny baby. Not everyone gets everything that they want ASAP. You need to prove yourself before you get to do patrol. Why did you apply for an agency that did detention if that is not something you wanted to do? You could have applied for a PD. Did you apply for PD's but they wouldn't give you a chance? Well, you know what? Your current department GAVE you a chance and it sounds like you are shitting it away. They wouldn't be quick to get rid of you if you were doing all the right things. Good employees, especially females are hard to come by. There is more here than meets the eye. |
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| Posted 11 days ago ODIN I haven't done either, so I can't give you an answer on that. Formerladycop I wasn't trying to be whiny, just stating the facts. I realize you can't get to where you want to be right away, sometimes you have to work your way there. This agency sends you to the police academy after two years of employment with them. I am not trying to mess this opportunity up. I was being honest, I don't see where you get that there is more to what I'm saying. |
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| Posted 11 days ago alienbow, nothing against you, because I don't know you, but you were lucky to get the job back the first time. Why would you go through all that BS to get the job back and then just blow them off without even calling in to say you can't make it. Where I work that is considered a "No call, No show" you can be fired for that....Like I said, I don't know you, but you don't seem very dependable and if you really are so miserable at this job, I would seriously think about another career field.....Good luck in whatever you decide to do. |
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| Posted 11 days ago alienbow says ...
Did you bump your head??? |
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| Posted 11 days ago alienbow says ...
Why won't you answer Odin's question? It's simple, how fast can you run the mile and a half, how many push ups can you do? You're dancing around questions here. You have other posts where you bash the training you have gotten, you bash your department you work for, why are you there? Don't you know they see this type of attitude? When you went to work, didn't you fill out paperwork that required you to list your spouse and children? Emergency Contact? So with that paper work on file, how did the confusion come about concerning you having to babysit kids you don't have? I can't imagine a dept making accusations that can be disputed on paper, but I guess there's always that possibility. Back to the PT part, are you saying by not answering the question that you are in fact not preparing yourself? If you want to be a LEO so bad, I can't imagine you not preparing in advance so when and it the time comes, you will be prepared. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have. |
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| Posted 11 days ago I have not timed myself on a mile and a half run or push ups. I can't give a time when I don't know. I'm not trying to be evasive on any of the questions. I am not fully prepared physically, I won't lie about that. I need to do more on the physical part. I am a dependable person, ask my mom and family. I've helped take care of my grandmother for the past eight years, and I took care of my dad when he was in the nursing home. No one can say I'm not dependable, and no one is in my shoes. I'm not going to broadcast all of my problems so everyone can read about them. I try my best, that's all I can do. I did call, but I haven't spoken with my immediate supervisor, he hasn't called me back. The only person I spoke with was a Lt. and the secretary for the training complex, why she's calling me I don't understand. I'm very grateful that I have received a second chance. I don't have anything against corrections, it's just not the field I want to be in. Right now, I can't move away from my family and get a job in another state, or a city that's far away for that matter. I need to stay close to my family because they need my help and they depend on me, they always have been able to. |
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| Posted 10 days ago Alienbow, From skimming through the readings here is the problem I see....Btw I am female so I can say this and not be sexist....You are indecisive, if you don't like your job find another one with another agency...Someone said you bash you agency all the time what makes you think it is going to be any better on patrol. It isn't going to be because you have already been labeled as a trouble maker and a pain in the butt female.... I have a strong feeling that you can't handle patrol either...You are a whiner whether you want to be or not just this post is whining,,What should I do, just want your opinion, blah blah If you have to ask you shouldn't be on patrol nobody is going to tell you it's ok to shoot that guy he was going to kill you anyway.... From a field training officers point of view, unless I saw something I am not seeing here, I would fire you...The second chance your agency gave you was probably only because you are a female... I am not trying to be mean I am trying to save your life or another officer's life. In patrol it is split second decisions no wishy washy stuff I see here. |
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| Posted 10 days ago Alienbow, I must agree with Odin here. You do seemto be skipping and dodging the questions. How many push up can you do in a set time. That was asked over 6 hours ago. Not very hard to get down and see how many you can do in 2 minutes. Mile and half run. Dont know what your time limit is there, but once again, not hard to find a place and time yourself. (15 minutes should be oodles of time) Yet you keep saying you havent done it. I suggest you do, not to answer people here but for your own knowledge. If you dont come upto speed, then you know you've got more work to do in that area. It gets back to the P's Propper planning and preperation prevents piss poor performance. The ball is in your court. I know its hard if you are working and hate the work you are doing, but if you want to move on, you have to plan and prepare. No good just griping about everything. That achieves nothing and only gives you a bad rep making it harder for you to move on. All the best with your plans and future anyhow. Cheers A horseman should show niether fear nor anger, same goes for a police officer. |