I just went to go burn a few brain cells....

[Blue_Chameleon]

For a while, I was out on my own trying to figure out where I belong...whether it's back in my world of computers or in a dream came true world of law enforcement.

After various reasons, I've decided to return to computers...hence, leaving my position as a police officer. The unfortunate part was that I left at such a short amount of time after leaving the academy. It wasn't because I didn't like the job...I love the job. In fact, I think if it wasn't for family lifestyle and influences, I would have made it my career. Everyone, including my FTOs told me I would have made it. The funny thing is that I know I would have made it. I just think that this was the right time to do this because I was torn between two careers. The longer I stay in law enforcement, the more obsolete my knowledge for computers will be because of the rapid changes in the high tech field. Yet...the enjoyment of going to work was more towards the law enforcement side. Both my Sgt. and Lieutenant told me they never really struggled with this decision since they just "knew" that law enforcement was their calling.

I do, still have the love for law enforcement. I don't know what else I could do to compliment both the computer world and the law enforcement world. People have told me to go to the FBI but I personally would rather be a local street cop. I have no desire to go federal.

I currently work at my old job...the one that I left to go into law enforcement. What's unusual was that I got a raise to come back in...oh well. My next goal is to return to law enforcement as a Reserve Officer. My Lieutenant was the one who suggested that I go this route. He said, "You can work in your computer field and if you have an itch to do cop work, you can do it here."

So in the mean time, I gueses I won't be posting here for a while until the dust settles. I will miss getting advice from you all though...everything I've read has helped me out on the field, even for that short amount of time.

Today is one of my college buddy's graduation from his Academy. I will definitely go and support him. Once I hear the bagpipes play and hear the rest of the people who are in law enforcement re-affirm their "oath", I'm definitely going to tear up. If anything, the reading of the "oath" is going to be the hardest...since I'm not going to be able to participate in it.

Hope to be back here in a few...

[Don]

Hey Blue,

Good to hear from you. This is obviously a decision that you struggled through. From a financial standpoint, you probably made the right decision.

Your lieutenant gave you very good advice. Good reserve officers, people who can be counted on to show up on their assigned shifts and do the job with a minimum of guidance are really needed by a lot of departments.

Also, since you have already completed your academy, if you change your mind later on. . .

Don

[Niteshift]

Glad to hear that you made a tough decision. A lot of guys would either let someone make it for them or try to avoid it.

I'll second Don's post. Good reserves are a great asset, especially since they usually bring with them a skill besides LE. When they get a new computer system or need some expertise on a computer related investigation, finding some consultant isn't hard. But finding a consultant who speaks the lingo and understands stuff like chain of custody....that's a differnet story. That's when a smart cop looks to his reserve guys. They're the computer guys, the firemen who can teach haz-mat, the mechanics who can get a 1952 Chevy running so it can be done up as a replica for parade use.

And reserves work cheap http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Niteshift-
Perseverate In Pugna

[Blue_Chameleon]

I'm glad you guys are supportive of my decision. In a way, I feel like I let my fellow brothers and sisters of law enforcement down. It still upsets me quite a bit everytime I have to tell this story of how I left in order to do something else.

I did go to my friend's Academy graduation and I actually had a good time there. It brought back so many memories from my own Academy. I thought it was pretty neat when the head of the Academy asked all current and former law enforcement personnel to recite the Code of Ethics. As I read it, it almost shed some light to where my life was headed. And that this decision that I made was a good one and to go back and do Reserves.

Even my friend who was the one who graduated completely understands what I'm going through and is supportive of it. At the same time, I think he was really happy that I was there because I can relate to all his worries, happiness, concerns, and just everything related to the Academy. His family were just there smiling http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[JKT]

Blue, sounds like you made the best (and very difficult) decision for you and your family. I agree totally with Don and Niteshift, getting into a Reserve program, especially afer attending a full Academy, you would be a great asset to any department.

Best of luck in your new (old) career http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif



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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

[Topdog]

BLUE_CHAMELEON WRITES
Both my Sgt. and Lieutenant told me they never really struggled with this decision since they just knew that law enforcement was their "calling."

TOPDOG REPLIES
When I applied to my department, the background investigator (BI) was talking to the sheriff about whether or not to hire me. I'll never forget what the BI said to the sheriff: "He feels law enforcement is his calling." That was the first time I'd heard the term "calling." It made me think of going into the ministry or something. I never forgot it and it's interesting that the same terminology is used by other people in other agencies in other states.

[FLLawdog]

Blue, I'm sorry about the way things turned out, but you know your situation far better than anyone else. Good luck to you, but stick around and keep us company!

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[Blue_Chameleon]

FLLawdog: Well, I don't know how my situation is better than anyone else. I still feel the guilt, yet at the same time, I feel that I have made a good decision. But when I look back at all the stuff I did, I really missed it.

I'm sure Reserves would be similiar, but I don't think it may have the same impact as a fulltime officer. It just isn't the same... http://www.officer.com/ubb/frown.gif

[H8Criminals]

Blue --- Seeing that you are from the Bay Area, I can understand why you would go back to computers, as much as you want to do law enforcement work. The family comes first, and along with that, you know that although "money isn't everything" it sure is important around here if you want to continue to live in the Bay Area. It is hard to live on a PO's salary here, and when you throw family members in to the mix, the day shift making more money takes precident. I wish I had kept up with what I had learned in my computer drafting classes etc ... since my rent is going up $270.00/month starting in february. That brings my rent from $1030.00/mo. to $1300/mo. and I live an hour from work (I work in the city(SF).)

Anyway, don't feel like you are abandoning us, or betraying us ... you are doing what you have to in order to survive in the most expensive area in the country. If you have any questions, feel free to keep in touch.

[Motivator]

Damn!!! I was griping about paying $400.00 a month for rent

[FLLawdog]

Things work themselves out. For one unknown reason or another, we do things that just happen to be the right things to do.

If you honestly feel like you weren't ready for the job, then listen to yourself. Get out, gather your senses and see if you really can do without this job.

I started LE in '88. I moved to Florida after 2 years on the job in hopes of getting on down here. One problem followed another and I was out of the career for almost 5 years. By the 4th year I really thought I could without it. I was making about $35K a year, no real danger, I was active, but there was something missing. I sent myself through the academy part time and worked full time over 6 months to recapture my dream. It's paid me back ten fold. I'm the happiest I've ever been and as successful as I've ever been and I owe it to the fact that I got out, got a "new set of eyes" and went back in with a different outlook.

Maybe that's all you need. Whatever happens, just remember it's fate.

Take care of yourself and keep poppin' in!

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[TIGGY]

1.) Motivator, you got any vacacies in your area. I'll commute from, like, wherever to pay $400 a month for rent.

2.) (((((BLUE))))), First of all, MAKE SURE you get some type of union protection that COVERS reserves. Certain depts do not cover injuries and so forth if you are reserve...nonetheless you can run into workmans comp denying any claim since it was "reserve" work. There is sometype of national assoc for reserve ofcs that offers legal and medical coverage. Research for that through your dept and the net. Sorry I don't have the name. The dues are nominal and it is most def worth it. Also, make sure you take the required classes your state offers to keep your certificate in service. In my state after a certain time period the certificate expires and have to go to academy all over again.

You have no reason to be discouraged. Most of us vet cops are from a time when college was the exception not the norm, especialy in police work. I have no regrets about my career and life path. But I do envy anyone, like yourself, that have a second field of expetise ref the job market. Not much out there for a cop w/ no college or previous career field they can enter. And remember, you left on your terms; no one elses. Nothing to regret. Good luck and keep your head down when you go ride on your reserve time. You can be zapped just as quick as the 40 hr a week cop.(((CYA)))!