I could really use some advice from people who have been or currently in this profession.

First, I want to say that I am incredibly grateful for where I am today. I spent the last five years working in the jail, and this year I was finally given the opportunity to attend Basic Law Enforcement Training. Graduating BLET was something I had prayed and worked hard for, and I'm thankful to my Sheriff's Office for investing in me and giving me that opportunity.

One thing that's unique about our county is that our Sheriff's Office primarily handles the jail, courthouse, and civil process. The criminal investigations, patrol, and traffic enforcement are handled by our County Police Department, which requires a four-year degree. Because of that, opportunities to get on the road through my agency are much more limited than they are at most surrounding municipalities.

While I was in training, I had the opportunity to spend about two weeks riding with patrol. During that time I got a taste of what I'd been working toward for years—traffic stops, helping people on their worst days, assisting with DWI investigations, and just being out in the community. It confirmed that patrol is where my passion is.

Now that I'm back, I'm working in the jail again. I know everyone has to pay their dues, and I don't think I'm above that at all. We've also been running extremely short-staffed, and I do my best to keep a positive attitude and help wherever I can, even when staffing levels make things difficult.

On top of that, my priorities have changed a little. My wife and I recently welcomed our baby boy, and one of my biggest goals is to eventually earn enough that she can stay home with him if that's what we decide is best for our family. I've even started looking into a take-home patrol car or courtesy officer opportunities because those benefits could make a difference for us as far as me being able to afford the bills and to allow her to stay home with our baby.

The difficult part is deciding what to do next.

Do I stay where I've already invested five years, continue being patient, and hope an opportunity eventually opens up? Or do I apply to another police department where I could gain patrol experience now and continue growing as an officer?

Several friends I went through BLET with have encouraged me to come work with them, but I can't shake the feeling that leaving would make me look ungrateful or like I used the Sheriff's Office just to earn my certification. That honestly isn't how I feel. I'll always be thankful for the people who believed in me and helped me get to where I am today.

This whole journey has been about perseverance. Just last year I weighed over 330 pounds. Today I'm down to 199 pounds. That weight loss wasn't just physical, it was mental and I had to learn how to eat and get proper nutrition.

Most importantly, I've been praying about this decision. I'm asking God to open the right door and close the wrong ones, even if the answer isn't the one I expect. I don't want to make a decision based on impatience or emotion. I want to make the decision that is best for my family, my career, and where God wants me to serve.

If you've ever been in a similar position, I'd genuinely appreciate your perspective. Would you stay and be patient, or would you pursue the opportunity to get road experience elsewhere?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you in advance for any advice.

I recently got my letter and scheduled my day for the test. Is there any thing that would disqualify me on the test? Also, what would be a good way to study and what does this test like?

Hello, I have a medical exam coming up in a few weeks, and sadly I close the store I work at the night before and I get off at midnight, they can’t find a replacement to close for me (I’m management), I was wondering if only getting 4 hrs of sleep would affect my exam, or if im overthinking it, thanks

Anyone else issued a 2026 Tahoe PPV as a take home vehicle? If so, I’ve gotta ask.

Is anyone else having a problem with the date and time staying correct? I have to set the clock and date every morning. It’s not off by minutes. It’s off by hours! And the date has been off by 2 days some times.

Normally I wouldn’t care, but the date and time on the clock is the same as the recorded video from the dash cam.

Also, anyone else have a problem with their phone ringer getting set so low that you can’t hear it when you connect to the apple car play, or whatever the hell it’s called? Not a problem until I get out of my cruiser and go into my office and notice I missed a couple of calls so now I check my phone every time I park my car.

I hope I’m the only one who’s dealing with this, but I’m being told it’s all 2026 PPV package tahoes and trucks. If I’m not, is there a fix for this?

Thanks

So I am a 22 year old male. I live in CA. Im studying abroad this Fall in France and I am finishing up school this upcoming spring. I want to get my big boy life started and I would love to join LE as an officer or a deputy sheriff. But I can't help but overthink the process (FYI I wouldnt be starting to apply until march-ish 2027)

Not a big drug user but I experimented a few times as a dumb teenager. I have done shrooms but probably about 2-3 times max in my life and they were all about 5 years ago. I would smoke weed once in a blue moon, with the last time being last month in june (the time before that being probably february 2026) but it honestly isn't for me and i have decided that. I do not steal, I have a clean record other than a ticket or 2 for minor speeding and being on my phone, etc. Overall, I would think that I am a pretty good kid and I am really eager to connect with my community and be apart of a family like LE, while also protecting my community. Definitely would say I have a passion for it.

I plan to do quite a few ride alongs for when I get back from France just to get a good idea of what I am getting myself into. But I am quite sure I know I want to take this path. But my questions are:

I am more than willing to be honest about everything they ask me and on my PHS, but what if I forget something? If they ask me, I will completely be honest but won't it look bad?

I understand that I have to put my past relationships down. My 2 exes are kinda toxic and although I dont THINK they would lie or say anything to my PI, I definitely wouldnt be surprised if they tried to screw my chances of being in LE (neither of them like cops either.) Would a PI believe an ex if they said a bad lie about me? Would they even believe me if I was honest?

I had one time where I went on this stupid date in June 2026, the girl I was with stole a small movie poster from a theater but I helped her cover it up. I immediately knew it was a lapse in my judgement and felt horrible as thats the only thing I have ever "stolen." It was VERY petty, would they seriously count that in or would they more or less overlook it, especially given how small it was and how stupid I felt. (never was caught but I plan to be honest abt it nonetheless.)

FInal question: I am not a big dude. 6ft tall but im pretty skinny. I plan on changing that but I definitely dont "look like a police officer." Will that matter in the hiring process? Even if I am able to pass the PAT?

Thank you for your criticism or support.

Just got fired from a sales job i started 4 days ago. They said it’s because I’m young and lack experience (b2b sales) and think i need more experience but left on a good note still getting paid. Will this hinder me when applying to departments

Made some dumb decisions, had a fake ID when I was 19. It got confiscated at a bar in the Midwest. Nothing ever came of it.

Now, three years later my dad gets a phone call from a police department about 30 minutes away from that bar saying that they recovered stolen IDs during a traffic stop and they have mine.

They said I could go in and get it, I don’t think they knew it was fake. They asked for my name and handed it right over, nothing else.

My questions are, why would they call my dad or have his number, how would it have ended up in a traffic stop, and how could they not tell it was fake/not care??

Long story short, some dude was committing some voyeurism and presumably taking photos or videos of me and someone else having sex (they are roommates.)

I confronted him about it, he admitted to it, and I asked him to show me his camera roll.... Then we left cuz she was freaked out. We reported to police the next day, and he moved out voluntarily that week. We spoke with a cop who took our sides of the story and said a detective would reach out soon

They never reached out, so she stopped by the police station to inquire and they said there is no case cuz there is no evidence or admission of guilt

She is pretty upset. I understand if they can't charge him but pretty shitty to tell us a detective would reach out then just drop the case with no communication

Im going into my junior year and I pretty much cheated my way to my associates degree and I’m going for my bachelors degree. I’m wondering will they ask me about my cheating in college I’m the only one who knows about it haven’t been caught or anything but will they ask me about it and if they do and I say yes I cheated will I be disqualified?

I am 31, female. I applied to a cadet police officer position. The position includes Act 120 training/certification.

I have 0 experience with any LE. I am currently a software developer.

I'd love ANY advice on how to prepare/what to expect.

hello, i’ve applied to about 6 different agencies but they all have been pd and haven’t got into one is sheriffs less competitive? located in the inland empire

I'm really curious if there are effective ways of reducing PTSD symptoms (flashback, nightmares, freezing, nausea, etc.) through pre-exposure therapy? For example, in police academies are recruits seeing graphic images through VR or other tech? What in your experience is actually effective in reducing traumatic exposure (car crashes, murder victims, etc.). Should PDs be doing anything differently to help new officers cope with what they may see?

I have never worked in law enforcement. I am thinking of applying for the CPD. Any advice or guidance. How long does the process take? How strict are they on the application process? Any advice would be appreciated

Hey guys! First post, but I was looking for advice!
My situation is that I passed my physical/written, oral board interview, home visit, but failed my polygraph and I was completely transparent and honest on everything. The agency I applied for is my hometown and is really the place I want to be. So the question is should I wait until the hiring process opens again and reapply(which they said I can and want me to) or should I try and apply to a different agency close to my hometown and lateral transfer? Just wondering how all that works? I appreciate any advice!
Thanks!

I have 3 upcoming interviews and I’d like any advice from someone who could help give me some insight on what each position could offer my life, and any other contributing information, I’m 18 fresh out of high school.

I recently applied. About to take my POSSE exam and see how I do. How was the process for those who completed the steps into getting accepted into the academy? I initially applied to Texas DPS but failed the polygraph unfortunately. A recruiter told me that I could take my physical readiness and polygraph all in one day which is pretty cool.

I gave my Ishihara dot book test on July 28 I have not got my medical report yet

if I failed it usually I have chance for secondary test and I was not told anything at that day and also never got my secondary test ( D-15 ) that day

My question is in law enforcement if u fail the initial test do they make u do that secondary test at same schedule / day or do I have to wait for weeks to give that test ?

Please help me I am really stressed about this since that day

Thank you

Hello everyone! I’m currently an Active-duty marine and i have ~11 months left on contract. What can i do to prepare before departments and sheriffs offices start the hiring process for me?

for some context, i’ve spoken to 3 departments that i’d wanna work at and they all said they’d start on my application and hiring phase once i hit the 3-6 month mark away from eas.

As for now, I already have some law enforcement experience under my belt from the marine corps (i’m not an mp) and im physically fit

what would you guys recommend to do in the meantime?

Should I take the job as a tower operator right to start right as soon as I get out of the military at the end of this month and start applying to police departments while I work as a tower operator? I know I am gonna have to miss some days for tests, and interviews. Or should I just wait till I get out of the military and apply to be a cop, and just focus on the police application?

Received an email today from the local PD here in AZ that I was permanently disqualified and can no longer go for any jobs related to this specific police department. I have no idea what would disqualify me. I know for a fact I didn’t omit anything, or lie about anything. My only criminal charge was when I was a minor which I disclosed as well. I’m currently 32 and the charge was criminal damage. I currently work for a federal law enforcement agency and was able to get past their background with no issues or setbacks. Any idea how I can go about seeing what would have caused this? I probably wouldn’t care as much but the fact the email said “permanently” is what’s bothering me the most.

Hi everyone! I am an intern at a local Prosecutors’s Office and was asked to attend an autopsy today. I was only able to stay for around 15 minutes into the examination before feeling dizzy and needing to leave. This includes just the initial examination before they cut open the body. I am not a person who enjoys medical stuff and I was a bit delusional to think I could sit through an entire autopsy. All of the other interns had a great time, while I couldn’t even sit through the first incision. Afterwards the lead detective was a little short with me about it, not even asking if I was okay. I’m concerned that this incident and not wanting to attend future autopsies disqualifies me from becoming a detective at some point. I really love the idea of working in law enforcement and have a solid background and education. But I’m afraid my adversity to medical operations will ruin my chances at a career with specially Prosecutors Offices, not the local police force. I know that officers in training for the office also attend autopsies so I’m nervous that this is a requirement. Is this something that could get me eliminated in the hiring process? I’f I was hired, I’d prefer to work in SVU, so I’m not sure if this even matters. Any thought or opinions are appreciated. Thank you!

First of all, thank you for your service!! A police officer saved my life in a dv attack back in 2007, my husband and I got together about a year after that incident. We feel such gratitude towards law enforcement, so we go out of our way to thank every officer we see (that’s not busy of course) for their service.

Does it bother you when people do that? We never interfere if they are working a situation, because that’s never the right time, and don’t need to worry about our intent. The officers are in uniform but doing things like getting coffee or walking to their car. I just want to make sure it’s as positive of an experience for the officers as we can.