View Full Version : Thinking of leaving Law Enforcement
Hello comrads,
Let me start off by saying, I am very unhappy with my current job. I have tried to keep a good sense of humor about things but many factors are starting to take its toll. I love the idea of being an LEO, serving my country, having a license to carry a firearm, knowing how to keep my self and family secure, making my family proud etc etc.. But nothing has added up to what I always hoped it would. I am 25 years old with a wife and 5 month old daughter. I am working for my 3rd agency (I started as a young punk :) ).
I have become extremely negative, almost depressing at times. I feel guilty because there are alot of guys who would kill to have my job, and I hate it so much. There is not alot of comraudery (I know it's misspelled) in my office and that makes things worse. I know there is potential to move up in my agency but I don't even care. THe worst part is I hate myself for being like this. I used to be gung ho and now I can't wait until it is time to go home. I have tried to change my attitude but I haven't had much success. I dread going to work. The other hard thing is that I don't even know what to do with my life at this point. I am not qualified to do anything else. Right now I am considering law school. Don't worry I would never sit on the defense table. I don't even want to work in the criminal justice system. I guess the thing I am most afraid of is turning into a bitter disgruntled old man like the majority of people in my office. I owe it to myself and family not to be that way. I have thought about applying once again with other agencies but I just don't think I'll find peace there either. Just for an FYI, I felt at the time that when I went to a new agency it was an advancement and it was in terms of money, promotional potential, and prestige (so I wasn't just floating from one place to another). Sorry I just felt like getting some of this out. Let me know what you think.
FED
Hello comrads,
Let me start off by saying, I am very unhappy with my current job. I have tried to keep a good sense of humor about things but many factors are starting to take its toll. I love the idea of being an LEO, serving my country, having a license to carry a firearm, knowing how to keep my self and family secure, making my family proud etc etc.. But nothing has added up to what I always hoped it would. I am 25 years old with a wife and 5 month old daughter. I am working for my 3rd agency (I started as a young punk :) ).
I have become extremely negative, almost depressing at times. I feel guilty because there are alot of guys who would kill to have my job, and I hate it so much. There is not alot of comraudery (I know it's misspelled) in my office and that makes things worse. I know there is potential to move up in my agency but I don't even care. THe worst part is I hate myself for being like this. I used to be gung ho and now I can't wait until it is time to go home. I have tried to change my attitude but I haven't had much success. I dread going to work. The other hard thing is that I don't even know what to do with my life at this point. I am not qualified to do anything else. Right now I am considering law school. Don't worry I would never sit on the defense table. I don't even want to work in the criminal justice system. I guess the thing I am most afraid of is turning into a bitter disgruntled old man like the majority of people in my office. I owe it to myself and family not to be that way. I have thought about applying once again with other agencies but I just don't think I'll find peace there either. Just for an FYI, I felt at the time that when I went to a new agency it was an advancement and it was in terms of money, promotional potential, and prestige (so I wasn't just floating from one place to another). Sorry I just felt like getting some of this out. Let me know what you think.
FED
Well we have some stuff in common. I am 25 years old and married yet I have two very young boys. One thing about law school before I delve into this long message. Law school is extremely expensive and often times you can not work. With a wife and child that makes things a little hairy if you know what I mean. My wife and I were going to do it but changed out minds because of that. Do what you need to do though...
I too have been extremely frustrated with the place I work. The seasoned officers have put in 20-30 years in one office and they dislike everything from Pizza to the President. The negativity within the office is abundant. The place I work has a pretty bad reputation for job satisfaction as well as there have been suicides and countless EEO complaints. Ahh what a wonderful place...
You have indicated that you used to be "gung ho and now can't wait to go home." Brother, I can tell you that I have had the same issue. When I first started working at my Office I never wanted to leave. Finding drugs and dirtbags was very very fun, so much fun that I would actually be a little hesitant to leave at the end of shift. As time went by I started listening to what the "old guys" had to say. I let them vent on me, influence and get me down. Needless to say I developed a more negative attitude and started to join in the Port bashing and job bashing. My father is a USCS manager so we had a talk. He told me about the history of the port and how things came to be from a management perspective (he is not in the same location.) My dad also helped me understand that I should not develop the local attitude because then "work comes home" and my self worth would start to deteriorate.
I took his advice and decided that I would be gung ho at work and not give a sh#$% what the others thought. Through this I started to get more and more seizures, arrests and friendships with other law enforcement agencies. My home life became better and my self esteem was back on a level plain.
Right now I am in the hiring process for a couple of other jobs and hopefully I get at least one of them. Point is, focus on the mission of your current employer and less on the negativity. Life is too short and being in a LEO position the added stress of hating the job only makes you less healthy. It is hard to do and takes time, just know that we have all been there. Persevere.
I can also sympathize with your frustrations. I've been in law enforcement for about 8 years now and am 31. Four years ago I was so fed up I left and went to work in the private sector as an insurance investigator. Well to make a long story short I hated it worse than I did law enforcement. I went back to my old department and six months later moved on to another agency. I still don't love going to work every day and honestly I think that is kind of idealistic. I'm sure there are people who have that but I would guess they are few and far between. My only advice would be to try and do something different within your agency if you need a change. I've become an FTO and am trying to get into our school resource officer unit. It's still law enforcement but at least not every contact you have with the public will be negative. Law enforcement is a broad field and if your fed up it may be time to move on to another agency. I'm not saying leaving is the wrong thing to do if that is how you feel but just be aware that the private sector has its own stresses and frustrations as well. Good Luck
This may sound silly but think about taking some time off and going away to get a new spin on things. This may be a short term fix but if you remove yourself for a week or two and have the job totaly out of your mind this may help.
I have faced those days and weeks before, I know how I felt and what I thought and maybe its how your are feeling right now,,, its a tough nut to face.
As the last post said, think about looking to move around but within the same job...even if only for a few months. A change can do wonders. I have been doing this work for some years now and see that just like any other job we have good days (weeks) and bad days (weeks), but we are faced with some issues that people on the "outside" never do.
I could go on with a laundry list of ideas but simply put its important for the idea to come from you as its you who has to take action on it.
Question, at your job do they have a peer support group? if not do the neighboring jobs that you could visit ? if not, why not start one.
I wish you the best of luck in working this out and by all means keep us posted on how things turn around for you and the family.
Virgilthetiger
06-20-2004, 19:19
see a pyschologist....no really it can help.
Virgil
rdtrooper
06-20-2004, 19:41
For what it's worth, I've been an LEO for a little over 14 years now and I've found that it's VERY normal to experience mental ups and downs in the LE profession. Like you, I've worked for a few different agencies and while each are different in a million different ways, they all have seem to have a few people who piss and moan about absolutely everything (and it always seems to be the same generic complaints). As a young officer, I found that if I listened to those depressing morons long enough, I'd start to believe all the negative crap they were talking about. Ultimately, all that negativety began to effect my work and my life. Remember, misery LOVES company. If four guys hate where they are and who they work for, they want EVERYONE around them to hate it too.
Bottom line is this: The only people who should have an impact on your attitude are you and the those you truly love (and it could be argued that the latter shouldn't be included in that short list, either). It took me a long time to actually realize that I controlled my attitude, my level of job satisfaction, my happiness at home and a million other things......not some guy or gal who desparately needs you to jump on the "my life and job suck" bandwagon. It's all about you, noboby else has shit to say about it. Granted, it's really hard sometimes and sometimes it's easier to let a given external force control your attitude. The next time these people beg you to become an agency hating, depressing slug, stop and remember that they don't have anything to do with the potential change in your attitude....it's whatever you let yourself become.
Maybe the LE field isn't for you, but I've thought the same thing many times. Not only do you have child molesters, murderers, armed robbers and drug dealers to handle externally, you've also got those internal issues we've discussed. Heavy deal, man, no doubt about it. There's a few members on here who know me personally and they'll probably tell ya, I'm not much on philosophy and the stars, but the day you realize that you actually control how well you do at work, how well you do at your marriage and how well your life runs in general is the day that everything becomes much clearer.
Don't let somebody else's bad attitude dictate the type of father or husband you'll be. Take it from someone who's got three kids, they'll grow up faster than you could believe and I can't imagine anything worse than growing old and regretting the example I set for my children.
Good luck.
DallasTX
06-20-2004, 20:29
I feel your pain brother. I'm still relatively new to law enforcement and there are days that I feel like I just want to quit. That scares me. Dealing with the public, other agents/officers, and of course the supervisor brings a lot of stress. Like you I'm not really qualified to be in any other profession unless I go back to school which is not really an option at this time. One thing that helps me is the thought that it could be worse and that I could be a telemarketer or something. I try to acquaint my self with the more positive co-workers that I have whenever possible. That seems to help me a little bit.
Lots of good advice given by our more experienced LE brothers and I will take a lot of those advice seriously myself.
D
Thanks for all of the advice and input. It feels good to know that others care (and especially those that took the time to respond). Really appreciated. I do have to admit though, that I do consider myself to be one of those moaners and pissers. I am not proud of that fact but, the people I seem to see eye to eye with are those very hated people. In response to Sgt. Jon, I took alot alot of leave for the birth of my little one, maybe one day back and I wanted nothing more than to back on leave. In response to Virgil, I am afraid to see a psychologist for the simple matter of having to explain why I went to see one while going through a BI with another agency if I decided to in the future. To add to that, I really appreciate more what you guys have to say than someone (aka PSYCH) who has never delt with our type of issues. I know that looking forward to going to work everyday is unrealistic, but pure dread for it is another animal. I feel like a whiny B@#$h now for saying what I have on the forums. To pikevt, I think law school is attainable for me financialy if I plan things the right way and am smart with my money.
I try not to let the work issues dictate what kind of family man I am, but my wife wants me to be happy and hates the crap we (others in my office) have to put up with. Although I admit that I haven't learned how to completely leave the work baggage at work. This is hard to do without falling into the agency bashing mode so, I'll just say it's alot of crap where the only reward is a paycheck (not a big one I might add), and frankly a paycheck just isn't good enough in my opinion. I want to be proud of what I do and feel like I did something with my life. I just want to know if I am being realistic or is this really all there is?
Once again, thank you all very much. I know there are alot of good guys/gals out here and I know that when it all boils down, whether we agree or not, a brotherhood exists, and that is one thing I would miss the most if I left this profession.
FED
Hope everything works out for you Fed. We have all been there.
Virgilthetiger
06-21-2004, 17:28
Maybe you could see a minister or see a pysch off the books (pay cash). Depression is a real illness. I understand your position, I do. I wish you the best. If I can help PM me.
Virgil
Coming in here a bit late, but better late than never:
Fed you've brought up a lot of good issues that most, if not all of us have faced. To respond more to your last post, I'd say, don't worry that you are one of the so called Piss and Moan Club. Begin today, by not being one of those that complain. I like your comment that you relate to the others, and you agree with them on other issues, so you feel comfortable with them. That's OK. Just keep in mind, that you don't have to agree with everything they do or say.
One message we've tried to emphasize to others on this board, is that no agency is perfect, and no job is perfect. That's true today, and it'll be true tommorrow and the day after. Accept that.
You need to find balance in your life. Work is a neccessary evil that provides financial gain, to afford the other neccessary evils (like a mortgage). Unless you'll be inheriting a large sum of money anytime soon, accept the fact that you are going to have to work--somewhere. Now the trick is find the right profession, followed by the right employer within that profession. LE is like a disease, and it's hard to cure. I always laugh at the scene in "Running Scared" when Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines tell their Captain that they are quitting. His reply is something along the lines of:
"And do what? Open a bar? You're not fit to do anything else!!"
CLASSIC!!!
I recently had the opportunity to listen to a Psychologist speak at FLETC on Stress and Law Enforcement. Very informative. Most of the stuff, was stuff we all know and have heard before. But there were some new perspective on the old issues as well. I would concur with the previous suggestion that you visit a Psychologist or other clinician if at all possible. Most departments and agencies have an Employee Assistance Program, which by law must be confidential. Use it. It's free for a limited number of sessions, but well worth it. Don't worry what some other agency will do or say if and when you disclose the fact during a BI. The only thing the BI will care about is if it was for mental disorder, substance abuse, or domestic abuse. A good offense during the BI interview can address each of these areas, while maintaining confidentiality. A generic response might be:
"I saw a counselor for stress related issues. I will provide you the name of the counselor and sign a consent for you to verify the 'nature' of the counseling, but NOT the specific notes. I will submit to a polygraph to verify that the counseling was for the reasons stated and have nothing to do with mental disorders, substance abuse, or domestic violence. No treatment, other than counseling was ever rendered, nor were medications prescribed. I am not under the care of a physician or other related clinician for any disorders."
As someone that used to do background investigations, I encounterd applicants that made similar statments. It's hard to challenge. I know one retired aTF Agent, contracted to do background investigations with them, that insisted on specifics and details. In the end, someone explained to him, that if the applicant is willing to state that they have not been treated for a mental disorder or substance abuse, and they haven't been counseled for domestic violence, and unless you can articulate otherwise, you need to back off the issue.
Generally, a letter from the counselor/psychologist, supporting your statement is the way to go, and I can't imagine an agency having a problem with it.
So in short, don't let the "what ifs" related to looking for your next job keep you from talking to a professional about your life.
PM me if you have specific questions or would like to talk off-line.
MAC
Fed406: We could write volumes back and forth to each other on stress and related LE issues and your current situation. It sucks to be miserable at work and I understand your desire for a change.
You need some introspection here. Why did you select LE as a career? What is missing that you sought? Can you find that missing "something" at another agency?
If you leave LE, what are you interested in? What REALLY floats your boat?? Law school IS expensive and AFTER you're done, is practicing law going to make you happy or are you buying time until you "discover" what you want to do?
I agree with SgtJon that it is perhaps a good idea to take some time off and regroup. Take a look at your priorities and discuss your future with your wife.
I'd also take a look at your current lifestyle. Is the LE job all consuming with you? Do you have some hobby(s) outside of the job? Something that you find pleasure in other than LE? Are you involved in a regular exercise program?
Drop me a PM if you've a mind. Best regards, DM
I'd like to piggyback on what DM has to say here about Law School. I meant to make the point earlier, but failed to remember.
You said previously that IF you got your JD, you wouldn't sit at the Defense Table. OK. That implies that you only want to prosecute, although I fully understand there are numerous other ways to put your JD to work. Do you think Prosecution will make you happy? I see the folks down at the US Attorney's Office all the time, and they seem a bit unhappy/disgruntled with "the system", in particular the judges. I'd say, that sitting in the Prosecutor's seat may offer a change in scenary, but it's still the same area. What probably needs to change is the way in which you look out the window.
I like the advice of taking some time off. See what you can do to make that happen. Instead of looking at law school, maybe you'd like to specialize in a particular area of LE, and maybe pursue a Masters in that area.
Along the lines of what DM said about a hobby; might I suggest Barbque. We southerners have always found that charring some poor dead animals flesh tends to make us feel better about ourselves. I look forward to the weekends to catch up on my chores at home, and all day Saturday, I'm looking forward to firing up that smoker or grill.
Hang in there man, we're pulling for you.
see a pyschologist....no really it can help.
Virgil
Do not see A psych or even one off the books. If you go to apply for another job in Law Enforcement this could be a death sentence and I think you know that being a cop. Seeing a psych could set off alarms at the next poly of psycological in your back ground. I just swithced agencies from the Feds (BP) back to City PD and the poly was hard enough without personal baggage that I could have had if I had mental issues....
I hope this makes sense, talk to someone just not a quack....
However....with that being said you could see a councelor or a motivator or advisor......
In 1968, Dr. Marty Reiser was the first Police Psychologist in a major city law enforcement law enforcement organization (LAPD). It's amazing to me that we still see the above response to mental health personnel. We've made alot of progress in LE in 36 years and it's a shame this perception still exists.
Be miserable, suffer and end your life....but DON'T see the police psych. It's a wonder we make any human progress at all. DM
Do not see A psych or even one off the books. If you go to apply for another job in Law Enforcement this could be a death sentence and I think you know that being a cop. Seeing a psych could set off alarms at the next poly of psycological in your back ground. I just swithced agencies from the Feds (BP) back to City PD and the poly was hard enough without personal baggage that I could have had if I had mental issues....
I hope this makes sense, talk to someone just not a quack....
However....with that being said you could see a councelor or a motivator or advisor......
This is seriously BAD advice!!! Not sure what your personal situation was pacman, but off the top of my head I can think of atleast 100 individuals that disagree with you.
Mac,
In regards to the whole law thing, I should have elaborated. I don't want to be either on a defense or prosecutors table. My choice would be to have nothing to do with the Crim. Justice arena. In my opinion, I have a pretty good business mind. I had never given law school (or being an attorney a thought until recently, 4 different people in the same week told me I should go to law school and be some type of an attorney (I know what your thinking, that is not much of a compliment :) ). But I think the biggest problem is I already have been with 3 agencies, I'm only 25 years old, and each one of them has been very disappointing. I'm afraid of going through another hiring process, moving my family accross the country (I live in the same city as my family and wife's family), and then getting myself into another couple of years of disappointment. BTW My true passion is grilling, and football.
DM,
I have 4 adopted siblings (ages 6 through 13), my own 5 month old, my step father (who is basically my father) is starting to show early signs of Alzhiemers, which runs in his family. I am a silent partner in my families mortgage business. I do have a regular work out program. Other than that I have no hobbies, just alot of stress and a total lack of interest in my current job. I would actually be stretching it alot to say that 5% of of the people in my agency actually enforce any laws. I would love to be able to do what it is law enfocement officers supposedly do, but it seems to be that no where is what you think or want it to be. I am struggling with the fact that I like what LE is supposed to be but,living with what it actually is. I now am thinking about how great it would be to work for myself. I don't believe graduating from law school will pigeon hole me into practice either. I think it will only open many other options that I didn't have before.
Thanks for the concern guys. For the first time in a while I am just confused as to what direction to take. I think that is very frustrating, especially when you throw in alot of personal issues. I am open to hearing what you have to say.
PacMan PM'd me as to his concerns regarding my last post. The title of the post was "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful". I deleted the rest.
Nice level of maturity on a serious subject. PacMan, please don't bother me again. DM
richjorg
06-23-2004, 18:01
Browse this website if you like.
http://www.heavybadge.com/
If you want to do law enforcement and enforce laws become a local street cop. Pick a large to medium sized city with diverse neighborhoods. You will enforce laws everyday and probably enjoy the job much more.
Fed,
First of all, I am going to apologize in advance for my psycho-babble. It is a result of my experience as a "psych nurse". :p
I am not in LE (yet), but I know what you are going through. After graduating high school I went and trained as a EMT and Medical Technician. I worked in the medical field for several years and eventually ended up working as a Nursing Supervisor. For as long as I could remember I thought that I was going to continue in the same field and even go back to school to become a PA, MD, whatever. By the 8th year, the depression began to set in. I ABSOLUTELY HATED MY JOB. I hate to admit it now, but there were some Monday mornings that I just wanted to roll up in a fetal position and cry like a baby. (Some days I did :D ) I tried taking some personal time off to "get a fresh perspective", I tried changing my work habits, my routine, my atttidue....but it would only help for a short time. I even looked into working for other medical facilities and agencies. But it didn't help. Bottom line was that I was burnt out and extremely unhappy. To make matters worse, my health started to take a dip. (Migraines, ulcers, insomnia...) I was lost, confused, and felt trapped. I second guessed every decision that I made. The anxiety, depression, confusion, fear, anger...was all very paralyzing. To make matters worse, I would beat myself up for feeling that way. In my mind I should have been stronger. To feel these things were "a sign of weakeness". Who was I to complain? I had a good job, prominent position, great pay.... I should be so lucky! Others would have loved to have my job. I tried to rationalize all this but it still didn't do away with the fact that at that moment I was hating life something fierce.
Then one exhausting morning, I had a revelation. Like someone gave me a boot to the head. I realized that I had the power to remove myself from the situation. It wouldn't be pleasant. It would be a radical change. And it would certainly take me outside of my comfort zone. I would be taking a leap into the unknown. But if I didn't do SOMETHING the job would suck what little life I had out of me. Within a few months I put in my notice. I took a pay cut to go work at a design agency as a customer service manager. Within 6 months I was introduced to the wonderful world of business, finance, and accounting. I fell in love. More importantly, I felt alive again. I was began to feel happy again. The migraines and ulcers went away. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Four years later I am on my way to completing my Business Degree.
I guess the reason that I am telling you this is because, for one thing you are not alone. Everything that you are feeling is "natural". You should not beat yourself up for feeling this way. I would highly recommend that you pay attention to what you are feeling. You can only force happiness for so long. Do not let fear or uncertaintly box you in. If you are interested in business take a busines class at the local junior college and see if you like it. Take accounting, or business law, or even something completely different like a culinary class. :D You have a right to be happy. Try different things until you find something that really peaks your interest. Even if it means going back to school or finding a completely different line of work. Don't surrender your power to this "bad situation". You are in control. Make a change. Take the leap.
FLdeputy
06-25-2004, 01:59
I would simply state this: If you have decided that you no longer enjoy working in law enforcement, then it is time to move on.
The simple truth of the matter is, there is absolutely nothing wrong with moving on.
But on a side note, I was surprised to see that some folks thought that seeing a physcologist was a "bad thing". Our agency contracts with a professional private practice which provides free counseling to agency members who so desire a consultation at no charge to the member and with 100% anonymity.
Seems like a good deal to me.
FLdeputy
richjorg
06-25-2004, 11:08
Within 6 months I was introduced to the wonderful world of business, finance, and accounting. I fell in love. More importantly, I felt alive again. I was began to feel happy again.
This proves that it's different strokes for different folks. I am an Accounting Manager now and I absolutely hate it. I don't think I could find a more depressing and thankless profession (well I am trying to get on with the CA DOC so maybe I already have :) ). I say good for you, if this is what you like to do.
I believe that it is possible to find a job that you like doing. Remember that we spend more time at work than anywhere else (while we are awake that is) so not hating your job is important.
Well, thats the the funny thing. While I love accounting and finance, I wouldn't want to do it for a living. I am currently working in accounting and I can't see myself doing this for much longer. It was just really nice finding something new that motivated me. That, and I hope that the experience and analytical skills that I've learned in the area will help me in my career in LE.
leogonnabe1
06-25-2004, 13:59
OK i couldnt let this one pass up...i myself am working in the accounting field, ive got my cpa, yada, yada, yada, i can honestly say that i absolutely hate it. the only thing it has done for me so far is too allow me to pursue a career in federal law enforce as well as local....growing up and still to this date my father is a police officer for a local dept...always thought about law enforcement...listened to everyone about not getting a degree in criminal justice...now im stuck with a degree in something i hate, but there is only one person that can change my situationand that is myself...i am slowly but surely making the transition to law enforcement, i have applied with the DEA and am waiting for my background investigation to begin, also i am applying to local agencies as well,,,completed a citizen police academy and did a ridealong with that dept...im going on another ride-along tommorrow w/ a dept in the DFW area,,,I had quite a frank discussion w/ my employer this week about being in the DEA process and how i will be under going a background investigation, etc...i told them my father is a cop and now im ready to get into law enforcement as well, of course i threw in a couple BS of how much i enjoy my current job though :) , i think anyone that is unhappy should look to make a change in profession (if that is where the problem stems from), i think attending a junior college to take some course in your desired field is an excellent idea,,,when im away from work im a whole different person, went to my high school reunion people were shocked as hell about what i was currently doing, then again after i metioned about applying to the DEA and local agencies people seemed to think that would be a better fit for me...sometimes we just need to do something that makes us happy, something we enjoy, and yet we are all not alike, i think we all need to look at our own lives and do what interests us and not so much everyone else...its been a strange few days around the dallas-fort worth area as far as the 2 officers deaths here recently, i think that now that im currently pursuing law enfocement i see things like that from a different light, i have been thinking that one of these days that could be me, either the one attacked/hurt/injured...also you must think that one day i may receive a call on the radio, "shots fired, officer down"...im sure there will be days in my career when this will happen, that is the gamble i take, the only thing i can do is to prepare and hope that i will be ready for that...sorry for rambling , id like to write more but im at work :D
Hey Fed,
I Hope You Find Peace!! I Don't Know How You Feel About Religion, But You Might Find A Good Church Where You Are Welcomed And Invite God Into You'r Life. He Helps Me Get Trhough My Bad Times. And I Am Not The Best Follower . Believe Me I Have Some Of The Same Problems That You Have Mentioned. I Work For A Small Police Department And A Large Fire Department And I See It At Both Jobs.i Did Not See Anybody Mention This And I Hope I Didn't Step Over Any Lines And I Pray This May Help. I Know What It Like To ;) .
Ffihc
Rasputin
06-27-2004, 06:16
WEll, I have given the advice to those who have less experience than I do. Mainly it has been "don't take work home". I don't talk to my wife about work. She knows I hate where I am at. She hates where we are at. I hate the attitude that permeates through the Seasoned inspectors that complain about everything. But that is what happens when you have inspectors that have been unhappy for a decade or more at work and have no intention of going elsewhere to further their careers. In the perfect world, one is going to do what makes one happy, but in the real world, that is not the case. All I can say if you are unhappy at work, do things outside of work that makes you happy. Play golf, fish, bowl, hunt, drink, but not alone. Begin looking for new place to work if none of those things work. Attempt to surround yourself at work with those that have the same attitudes as you. Don't let the geezers get you down. If you need to blow off some steam, maybe the occasionally verbal outburst will help. if not, just do the following. ;)
Minotaur
06-27-2004, 19:38
I'm curious, what other doors do you think a JD will open? Bear in mind that more than 10,000 JDs took the July 2003 New York Bar exam. Certainly not all those who pass (anywhere from 5000 to 7000) will be obtaining employment as attorneys. As such, it is most likely that you will not be able to pick and choose what you want to do and where. Defending some criminal who you know is guilty might be the only job that comes along and the only way to put food on your family's table.
Morover, the idea that the JD is a so-called "free pass" to any number of well-paid professions is a myth largely perpetrated by pious law school professors. I don't like to be discouraging and a pessimist, but law school and the legal profession, to be quite blunt, sucks. If you want to be chained to your desk 12 hours a day six days a week for a mediocre salary because some other starving graduate will do it cheaper, then go for it.
At the very least, you presently have job security and a pension. Look before you leap.
Best of luck.
DoD NucE
06-27-2004, 20:29
This situation reminds me of a Ted Nugent quote that everyplace sucks, the U.S. just sucks the least. I have come to the realization that every job, EVERY JOB SUCKS. If you are receiving a paycheck then the reason is that you wouldn't be doing it for free. Some jobs suck less than others, but ultimately all jobs suck. I am going to go into law enforcement because I think that it will suck less than my current profession. It has more of the elements that I like from my other jobs and personal habits than other professions so hopefully it should suck less. The thing that I quite possibly find most appealing about LE is that you generally get to retire at a younger age than you would get to retire at in other professions therefore allowing you to spend more time with your family or whatever doing the really important things. So my two cents are essentially that you should not leave LE just because it sucks because ultimately whatever you do will also most definitely suck. It may even suck worse than LE.
wicked50
06-28-2004, 23:08
My agency has the same program or a similar program as FLDeputy. I have never used it so I can't give you any advice on the quality of help available. Check to see if your agency has something similar (Should be in the same package as your health benefits).
Your 25 and like me your young in this line of work. At my agency I am the youngest officer but have been there for a bit. I notice that sometimes I think different than some of the officers on my shift. I am senior on the shift and sometimes when the supervisor is abscent I have to take charge (this is when I notice the difference in thinking). Some of the guys that have been doing this job for a while have never improved themselves or think that the job is the same as when they started (no offense, not the majority but here it is present). When changes occur in the department they do not understand the reasoning behind it so they complain. Prolonged complaining turns into disgrunteledness (sp). If you hang around with these officers and engage in the conversation you just feed their cause. Try to sepperate yourself and be an example. Just being around negativity can make yourself become negative.
If you are really not happy then it may save your life to get out of law enforcement. There is nothing wrong with this and your real friends won't think any less of you. Just make sure it is what you really want.
The best advice I was given about on the job stress (IMHO) : Police Officers are born with on/off switches on the back of their necks. When you go to work switch to ON and forget about problems at home. At the end of your shift go to OFF (sometimes easier said then done) and become a husband and father again.
......And get a punching bag. They are almost as good as a psych.
Good luck and be safe!!!!
silverr6
06-29-2004, 23:53
Fed,
If you want someone to talk to PM me, I know a police psych that I could put you in touch with. Good luck with your frustration.
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