A new rookie

[resdepmark]

I am still in school, obtaining my 2 year Criminal Justice degree. It will take me 3 years however as I work full time to support myself.

I hope I can condsider myself a rookie. I am a newly hired reserve deputy. I work primarily summer nights and during some special events.

The training for me is going well, it seems to me that the FTO's harp on you alot. That is their job afterall. It just came to me as kind of a shock as I am or thought I was friends with one of them. He is treating me no different than anyone else, which is very good.

Of my VERY, VERY limited experience so far, only being in the training, one thing that I have to say is that they harp on you for a reason... to save your life. How can I get mad at that? In alot of ways, I enjoy it, perhaps I need that discipline... I don't know.

I hope to learn alot from these forums.

[RaychelR]

Welcome to Officer.com!

[Don]

Hey Mark!

Welcome to the forum. A whole lot of us started out as reserves. If you have any questions about the forum, feel free to drop any of the staff an email.

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**Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.**
6P1 (retired)

[Buddingnovelist]

Welcome to the site. Good luck in your endeavors.

Chris

[FLLawdog]

Welcome aboard, Mark! You sem like you have the right method of dealing with the FTO program. Kep up the good work.

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

[KingPin120]

A few thoughts for you: Understand that even though you "thought" that one of your training officers was a friend, keep in mind that he's the boss first... Also, think about how other officers will think of you if your "friend" treats you different than others. It's called a label, and it's not a good thing to have at all and especially at the beginning of your career. My advice would be to bust your butt and prove that you're an asset, to your training officer and especially your co-workers. Also, talk with your training officer and get it clear that you don't want and don't expect any favoritism, especially since he is also your friend. The best way to fit in is by DOING and being rewarded, not by LOAFING and expecting the same rewards.
Like my dad told me, "Show me a man who KNOWS NOTHING, I'll show you a man who DOES NOTHING."

[resdepmark]

That is VERY good advice. I have told him not to treat me any different, believe me, he hasn't.

I am trying to bust my butt, I start on May 11th. I will try to become the best out of all the new people hired, as some are messing up big time.

Thank you very much for the reply.