What is the time limit before you are no longer a rookie?

[Motivator]

Now I know there were a lot more Rookies around here just a month ago. What do you all think that you are Salty dogs now?

Start Posting so we can help each other out.
Please don't think you know it all....I know i don't.

[Plaso]

I am no rookie, but I will give you my thought on this subject. I think that in most departments they will consider you past this when you have a year or so on the job. Personally I think it takes about four to five years for the newness to wear off. I think that at that time you can consider yourself above wearing that rookie handle. Recently, due to so many crashes, Sacramento PD denied anyone with less than five years on the job from driving the faster Chevy patrol cars.

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Remember, there's a fine line between Macho and stupid. You cross the line, you get hurt.

[me again]

Originally posted by Motivator:
Please don't think you know it all....Yes, I pretty much know it all now! http://computer.freepage.de/avi1234/smilies/JUMP.GIF

[RyanP]

I just recently started the academy, so I know I don't know it all. Far from it.

[k9 girl]

Sometimes I feel like I'll be a rookie forever. I have been out of the academy for about a year and a half now, but I still don't think I know enough. I am with my second dept. and have been for a few months. Being a reserve officer makes it harder to keep up on things all the time, at least in my case. I don't have the time to work there every day, but I have been trying to work some hours every week. I have been lucky to be working with some great guys who are always willing to answer my questions and not make me feel like a total idiot when I make mistakes. I just hope that eventually I won't feel like such a rookie. http://www.officer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[This message has been edited by k9 girl (edited 01-14-2001).]

[JKT]

Don't feel too bad. I've been in LE since 1980 and still feel like a rookie sometimes.

Especially when laws change and you're not aware of it http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

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

Jack

[RaychelR]

You stop being a rookie when you get seniority over someone.. LOL

[Don]

Originally posted by JKT:
Don't feel too bad. I've been in LE since 1980 and still feel like a rookie sometimes.

Especially when laws change and you're not aware of it http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif



Man can I identify with THAT feeling. http://www.officer.com/ubb/redface.gif

I don't know, some folks actually stay "rookies" through their entire career, while others get to be "seasoned officers" in a VERY short time.



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Don't tell me I look good for my age. That is like saying "Hey, you are pretty smart for someone so stupid!" 6P1 (retired)

[BrickCop]

It's like a Supreme Court Justice once said about pornography / obscenity..."I can't describe it, but I know it when I see it..." The same holds true for rookies. The way you conduct yourself is in direct relation to how long you're tagged a rookie . http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Buying the veteran guys a large regular wouldn't hurt either. http://www.officer.com/ubb/wink.gif Please don't confuse the 'rookie' tag with it's close relative the 'FNG' (F*cking New Guy) tag.

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"He was a bad lawyer, but he was the most sensible looking man talking nonsense I ever saw". -D.O.



[This message has been edited by BRICKCOP (edited 01-15-2001).]

[unhappycop]

I agree whole heartedly that some people stay rookies forever. Being a field training officer for new Probationary Constables, I've seen some good officers, who've become streetwise in only a few months, and a few cotton-wool cases that can only be referred to as "MUPPET"s (Most Useless Police Person Ever Trained).

Anyway, it's up to the field training officers to carry the load and get them over that green stage, where they're most dangerous, and if they don't show the apptitude (and the right attitude), **** them off out of the job, because we don't need to be carrying incompetent dangerous cops.

[This message has been edited by unhappycop (edited 01-15-2001).]

[poacher]

Hey All

I'm new here but saw the post and thought I'd reply. On my dept. you are considered a rookie until you usually get a couple of foot and veh pursuits under you belt,handle yourself in a fight and get the respect of other senior officers. Sometimes it's a year sometimes alot longer and occasionally for some never. Biggest thing to remember is what a senior officer told me. Shut up,listen,and live. If ya do all three then you should learn.

Best whishes Best luck Poacher.

[OZrookie]

few cotton-wool cases that can only be referred to as "MUPPET"s (Most Useless Police Person Ever Trained).

How did I know you were from NSW. I bet you have a "TJF" hat that you wear off duty. Regarding MUPPETS, I graduated with a whole bunch of them. Hang in there and stay safe.

[unhappycop]

Ozrookie, ABSOLUTELY TJF at the moment...

[Sgt. DG644]

I think that RaychelR said it right. Like my FTO told me " I don't care how long you been on you'll always be a rookie to me". http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[capper]

I have five years service and I will be considered a rookie in my new posting. This is not due to my service years but because I am coming out of a very slow posting in the prairies of Canada and am going to a very busy city detachment. In this city more incidents happen in one hour than happened the entire year in Saskatchewan where I was posted. Thus....the renewed "rookie" status!

[Slate]

Websters definition of, "Rookie", n. inf. begginer; new recruit in the Army, etc; novice.

We should remember that at various times in our life, we are all rookies. Even the most senior individual we be a rookie again.

[Ghetto Cop]

The above all seam to be true. 3-5 years is a good rule. I quit considering myself a rookie after 5 years and I work in a very busy area. Compared to some old heads, everyone is a rookie. No longer being a rookie does not alweays mean being able to handle just about every call from a good killing, robbery, or aggr. hybotony call. One has to "cut some days" http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif to be the "real po-lice." Well that's how it is done around here anyway, other depts. have other standards. Stay Safe.
P.S. its all how you carry yourself and how you handle yourself, and taking care of your business.

[AGreen]

I've been on for 2 years now, not counting my 4 years of military police. so if you add it all up that's 6 years experiance. But I still feel like a rookie at times, and I believe that once you think you have seen it all, it's time to move on. I have alot of guys under me on the ladder, and I can't say that I don't mess with them a little about being a "senior officer" but they know as well as I do that it is all in good fun. but its true.. there are some guys around, that no matter how long you have been around, you will ALWAYS be a rookie

[Nine - Eleven]

Motivator,

Real simple. When the respective officer stops living the job. I realized i had a life about 5 years into the job; other than being 24/7; Mr. Cop. I love my job; Would not give it up for the world. But, I let it almost ruin my life. The intra-department B.S. Almost ran my then-to-be-wife out of the house. Worried tooo much about this job. So I went to a better agency.

My passion is still there. I just don't let it rule my WHOLE life. I come to work 12 hours a day, answer my calls, show some activity, and go home.

Basically what I am saying is that I woke one day about 8 years into my career and said: I know enough not to be rookie. Just enough. Enough to hopefully go home after after every night.

I recall an officer on the t.v. show "COPS" say it so: "We are like the little boy holding the flood back. By sticking a finger in a leak of a damn." So true.

That statement rings so true. Hope this answered your question. We are all rookies at heart.

[TasTrooper]

Hey Ozrookie and Unhappycop, re: TJF....try it on my pay!!!!

[David]

You will always be a rookie...

In one form or another.

There is always going to be someone senior to you who will look at you as if you were...

Unless you are the first to their side when he/she requested back-up...

Then you will be free of that stigma...

Until after the call anyway. sigh...

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REMEMBER: Never Knock on DEATH'S door, ring the bell and run... HE HATES THAT!!