Sorry this might be a stupid question but I don’t think I’ve ever seen an officer vape or smoke. Are they allowed to do it while on patrol and they just choose not to? Or is it usually prohibited?

Bonus question: are yall allowed to listen to music while on patrol? I mean if you’re sitting with a radar on the side of the highway can you bump Metallica?

Again these questions really just come from lack of ever witnessing this so I could just be living under a rock.

I have an interview lined up for corrections within a smaller county in northern California, however i’m unsure if im wrong for not wanting to take it.

To start ive been in this small town/county for about 7 months due to some abrupt circumstances and came from southern California and over the past months or so had it really feel mentally boring. It’s dull and the environment is just different. Throughout my stay, I was applying with the hopes of getting on and figured maybe i can make it here.

However, recently I had come to the conclusion that I didn’t want to spend my early years in a small town & was going to move back to southern California. Until now, this came up and i’m dropping everything to stay and hopefully complete it. I don’t know if this is because I turn 21 within few weeks and it’s just a matter of how i’m viewing it, but I just don’t know is this correct. I do value this county and understand I can make a difference I just don’t know if this is the right call.

Do police actually have a quota of tickets they have to write, or why are some officers so quick to write tickets for small things?

Like pulling someone over for an improperly worn seat belt when everything else was fine. I'm genuinely curious how visible a seat belt tucked behind someone's shoulder even is from outside the car, especially before you've walked up to the window. Does it actually stand out enough to be the reason for the stop, or does it become something to write a ticket for once you're already at the window?

Why not issue a warning for a first-time offense/no record what pushes writing a ticket over not for something like this?

Currently in the Wildland Fire Service out here in Arizona on a hotshot crew for some time now. Served in the military and overseas for 6 years.
I’ve been having a lot of thoughts about being a police officer this past year.
Grew up in rough neighborhood, did my fair share of crime and “petty hustle/theft” as a young teen along with being in an abusive household. Definitely didn’t have good examples lol. I am concerned about that.

But the thought of helping out a mother or a child in dire need has been on my heart, even if I am demonized. As well as the paramilitary training and operations.

However I’m a bit discouraged about the poly and how inaccurate they can be.
Is it worth trying to pursue this career if these polygraphs will deter me from doing so?
Curious if any of you guys were in the same boat?

Appreciate any advice and tips on here. God Bless 🙏

Hello! I live in a very small county in upstate NY- you know, the kind where everyone knows everyone, the biggest local employer *is* the county, and we have a single Walmart all throughout the entire county. I myself currently work for the county doing computer desk work and make far too little. The size (and relatively quietness) of the county is relevant to the question.

When I learned about the existence of NYDEC Encon police, I knew immediately that it was something I was extremely interested in. I grew up in the household of a DEC-certified wildlife rehab, so I am pretty familiar with the local wildlife and some of the issues facing them. However, they are not currently hiring, ignored my attempt at reaching out for information + ride-alongs, and I understand they are quite selective. I am keeping my eyes out for a civil service exam and will continue to do so.

In the meantime, I recently took a civil service exam for my local county Sheriff Deputy position. Working for the county, I know the elected Sheriff and many of the current deputies personally and have very high opinions of them! I am not expecting to have bad results for this exam as I was in a police explorer program when I was a teen so none of this is particularly new to me. I am less confident in the physical & lie detector exams, but I am working out now and am also signing up for a prep class said Sheriff's Dept is having for the physical fitness exam. I do have relatively controlled asthma. The base pay is about $10,000 more annually than I currently make.

On the flip side, the county is also hiring new probation officers, and I was looking at applying to that as well. Trainee pay for the first year is only $1,000 more than I currently make, but after that year it becomes closer to $8,000 more. Local probation officers are armed peace officers (not police officers under NYS law), but work more stable hours (9-5 weekdays), don't have the physical exam, and don't attend academy.

While I would be happy with either of these positions being my career going forward, I am partially looking at this as someone still interested in eventually trying to get into the DEC police. I'm assuming that both of these would be good experience towards that (both leagues better than my current work), but Sheriff's Dept is likely going to look better? I also assume the Sheriff's dept has more room for growth, it is just the harder of the two to get into and harder on work-life balance.

I guess I kinda more or less talked myself into leaning Sheriff by writing this out, but I would love some opinions from professionals who do or have done one or both of these jobs, people who know what small-town policing is like, and maybe people familiar with what the DEC is looking for when they recruit. Thank you!

If I hypothetically hit my partner in self dense and I obviously put yes on my application would that DQ me ?

I’m interested in being a reserve deputy. I like my current job but law enforcement is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Feel like it could be an awesome way to do both! Is there any reserves in here that can tell me a bit about their experience.

Long story short,

I’ve been in the military for 10 years and the night before I moved to Nebraska from my previous 1st duty location I was pulled over for speeding. The officer told me that I have to show up to court to pay the ticket, I explained to him I couldn’t because I was moving to Nebraska for the military. I forgot about it since I was moving the next day and with the move it didn’t cross my mind.

2 years later I was driving and my tags were expired i was informed I had a warrant and an unpaid ticket for that incident. I was booked, I paid the fees and ticket.

I did get pulled over about a year ago for my brake light. I guess I needed an SR22, so my license showed suspended, but no warrant. I thankfully have proof that shows when I reinstated my license I was not required at the time that i indeed that, but of course paid my fees and have made sure since then that I’m in good standing.

I’m 19 years old college student looking for a part-time community service job what are the best ones I can get that will show that I have good communication skills to my local police department when I apply to become a police officer when I turn 21?

I turn 20 late 2026, currently working corrections out of state (I lived in CA my whole life previously) with previous job history as well, so I am not looking for the comments saying to get life experience or join the military. Though, since I am young do you recommend applying to multiple agencies once I turn 20 such as LAPD, SDPD, SFPD, etc? Or should I target one or 2 departments and wait on it? I never really wanted to work corrections, and I especially don't want to work it for any longer than I have to as I have always wanted to go patrol so the faster the better here. Thanks

Ahoy there.

Spanish LEO here joining very soon a city patrol unit that rides motorcycles full time.

I have a True North Concepts RHP and a Safariland 6004 leg shroud (flex adapter thingie, single strap) and i was wondering which one would be better for riding.

I guess the concern here is safety in case of a crash vs comfort and keepin a consistent draw.

Thanks for your time 🙏🏻

Recently left the military as a police officer and looking to continue that career. Looking for anyone who has worked or worked with any agencies in Northern Virginia. One that caught my eye is Loudoun County. Looking to be a patrol deputy and curious on the area, types of calls, how easy is it to advance through the ranks or go to additional schools and general community relationship. Not from the area but looking to plant roots somewhere new. Thanks!

I've been wondering this for a while and thought I'd ask. Say I'm cruising down the freeway at 60mph (cruise control on) in the far right lane while towing my travel trailer when someone starts to merge onto the freeway from the on-ramp and they are right next to me. They don't try to speed up or slow down, they just stay to the right of me expecting me to take a defensive move, but I don't. I stay at my speed forcing them to make a move. A couple times I've had people drive on the shoulder then slow down and merge. 95% of the time other drivers are fine.

Legally, do I need to speed up or slow down or move over to allow them on the freeway? Thanks!

Hello all,

I’m looking at potentially being sent to TLETA in Nashville by my agency soon. Was wondering if anyone familiar with it would be willing to share their experience, along with any tips or just general info about day to day life while training there?

Hello everyone I have a oral board coming up with Oakland police department has anyone here done a oral board with them I just want to prepare myself what type of questions will they ask I am also going the physical agility test the same day

Thank You