PoliceLink

I have in the past and am again.  Now I'm going to be sworn.  Won't stop until I am.  Many on these boards keep saying it.  Follow your dreams.  You know what is right for you.  Go for it.

chimp0082 says ...

I found a good layout of info for you on the PSP.  Good luck and hope you do well.....LOL.......

ha ha ha thats more complex than the actual decision

Wow I guess I am the only person on here who decided to switch career paths!!!

Im in the process of attempting to go from a tech support job to being a LEO. Hopefully it will work and Im dead set on becoming one.

I have been doing research for the past 4 months or so and have weighed in the pros and cons of the posistion. Changing jobs in this economy isnt somthing to do on a whim though. Make sure its what you want before you quit where you're at.

Thanks for the support everyone. All of your comments have reassured me that I did not waste a degree just to switch careers. I guess if I wanted both I could create kick ass montages with the persuite footage on my down time!! HAHA. But seriously, one thing that has me set on doing this is the brotherhood and willingness to train. Where I am not in career, I don't think one of my coworkers would back me up if a commercial went wrong let alone take a bullet for me. So again, thank you all for your moral support and I still encourage others to write about their opinion and experience.

 I say  now is the time.  I have wanted to become a LEO since I was like 4 or 5. i used to pull neighborhood kids over on my bike with my makeshift light and vocal siren.  Once I graduated HS at 17 I had to wait until I was 21.  In the process I became a small business owner at 19 and met a lot of law enforcement officers which only made it worse.  I was in a position to where I had to run my company and couldnt walk away at 21.  I'm now 27 and after being slammed by the economy and taking cuts in pay like crazy,  I am pursuing my dreams finally.  Although now I am married with a wonderful wife, and two sons I guess now is as good a time as ever.  I decided to apply and take on the Alabama state troopers.  My wife is supportive and so is my family but my 6 year old son (who told me at 4 he was going to a detective and then a judge) Continues to support me most vocally every day.  Now is a good time for me. With sales going to hell Time to tackle my dreams.  This child gets up and goes running with me every morning before he goes to kindergarten and asks me scenarios all the time.  So even if i wanted to punk out I cant.  I have to show him you can do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it.  It's going to be a huge accomplishment to get started now I am waiting for my exam.  I look forward to a long rewarding career as a trooper.  I'm sure the stereotypes about state troopers are not true but it will be fun to find out.  I've got to get my A**hole glasses and grow in my handlebar mustache and I guess I will be set.  Kidding of course.  Anybody with any words of advice let me know. But I'm ready to live my dream that i've held onto for 20something years lol.  I know I will take a paycut but Detective114 said it best. Happier than i've ever been careerwise in my life and look forward to going to work everyday.    

Your not the only one to head into another direction in life.  I have been in the trucking industry for the last six years and was in the Navy prior to this.  I kick myself for getting out.  I probably would have been a CPO by now in the Master at arms field.  I thought getting out and making big money in the trucking industry was going to be the life.  I started out great,butnow I am loosing everything.  College is the only thing thats going right in my life now, but I never quit and I Will be a LEO.  Determination will get me and my family through this.  So good luck everyone in changing your stars.  It can be done and having such a great website to keep you on track and positive is a godsend...

Be safe and have a great holiday,

Aaron V.

I'm also in the process of a career change as well and I have an associates in Electronics.  Currently in Data Management and IT Support but I'm moving through the application process with our police department now.

My family is supportive and my wife is as well.  Although, my wife's first comment was, "I married an IT guy, not a Cop."  She grew to be supportive and understanding of what I need to do.

I wanted to be in law enforcement since I was younger but didn't get much support at the time.  I went into IT during the late 90's and have stayed in because that's all I knew.  That dream of being a police officer finally kicked me in the butt this year and I applied.  I don't think wanting to be an officer ever goes away.  So do what you need to do with your life and what makes you happy.  I've done well at my jobs because I'm determined, not because I enjoyed my work.  But I think I'll do much better in a career in law enforcment because I'll enjoy what I do.

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck.  I'm glad you finally made the decision too!

Good topic, interesting to read everyones mindsets. I started working retail when I was in High School @ 17, I'm 35 now. Around a few years ago I got turned on to the Loss Prevention end of retail.  I seemed to be helping the store detective in spotting shoplifters, and decided I had a real knack for it. . Through LP work I've made a lot of contact with Officers , which helped ignite my desire. .Since I was a kid  I' always wanted to help in some way, a career as a LEO is the only path I feel a real connection to, and one that I feel I will be good at.  On a deeper level, when I draw my last breath I don't want to have memories of a sales job flood my mind, rather a life spent helping others .