Older Rookie

[leedesert]

How do other cops generally treat older rookies? I will be starting as an LEO next year at the young age of 38. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif
I'm just curious what to expect from fellow officers when the time comes. I've been in the military for 20 yrs so I'm quite use to saying "Yes Sir" to a 23 year old.

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It's easier to get out of jail than it is a morgue. Live long and defend yourself!

Jhn 3:16
COP in 2002
NRA Lifer
GOA
GSSF
KABA

[Don]

Not to worry. But it does get kind of cute when you are 38 and your 26 year old FTO is telling you "the relationship between a rookie and his FTO is like the one between a father and his son!" http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

That is a good comparison on the relationship, but it would sure sound funny in this context.

In most cases, by the time an officer has become an FTO they are not going to be intimidated by your age. So if you can handle it, which it sounds like you can, you shouldn

[DesertRat]

There was a guy 52 in my last academy (last as in 1) most recent and 2) I'll NEVER do that S$#! again) He ran circles around everyone in there and still peddles a bike on patrol on Fremont Street at 59. God bless him and anybody else that can keep it together that long.

[drunkhunter]

leedesert,

Just laugh at all of the "pops" and "grandpa" jokes and you'll be okay. We had a 47 and a 49 year old in our academy class, and I personally thought that they added a lot to the class.

By the way, you know me fom a couple of firearm related forums where I use a different nickname. I'm glad to see that you are joining the thin blue line.

[leedesert]

Hmmmm, now who could that be?

------------------
It's easier to get out of jail than it is a morgue. Live long and defend yourself!

Jhn 3:16
COP in 2002
NRA Lifer
GOA
GSSF
KABA

[drunkhunter]

I'll send you an email.

[This message has been edited by drunkhunter (edited 05-26-2001).]

[Mack811]

Greetings Lee from another "seasoned" rookie. I'm 5 months from 40 myself and have found that the younger officers I work with respect my life experience and do not treat me any differently because of my age.Most of the Sgt's are about my age and we relate well.My military background causes me to be very rank aware and I address all above the rank of patrolman by title, all the younger officers I have worked with go by first name so that is not an issue.We are a small department and no one is very uptight about titles and such.I have found it's all about attitude and how you present yourself. Age is not an issue. I am in decent condition and can run down the local hoodlums if I HAVE to http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif, I don't wet myself when the siren comes on and have seen enough of the world not to get overly excited in most situations.The sprinkle of silver hair seems to inspire confidence when dealing with the public and folks often seem to assume I am the senior officer on scene when I am standing next to a 25 year old officer. I always tactfully defer to the other officer and it does not become an issue.Bottom line...Go for it! Don't let your age even factor in to the equation. Think of it this way, we passed a background check that covered DECADES, that should count for something http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif Good luck my friend.
Edited because Mack caint spel to good tonite

[This message has been edited by Mack811 (edited 05-28-2001).]

[leedesert]

I don't wet myself when the siren comes on

Thanks Mack, I needed a laugh tonight. I just wish I could jump forward about 8 months and get started. The last year till retirement seems to drag.

------------------
It's easier to get out of jail than it is a morgue. Live long and defend yourself!

Jhn 3:16
COP in 2002
NRA Lifer
GOA
GSSF
KABA

[C4]

Seen many over 40 in academy. Can't say anyone really paid much attention. Some were cops from another state. Others were ex-military. They got their props. I went thru last one at 36, 20 weeks, piece of cake.

Study & run, run & study. No big deal. Had one in my 1st academy was 52 & ran circles around me. Another academy was 200lb drag for 100ft, guy was 48 & threw bag over line...passed.

[grum]

The RCMP recently had a graduate from their academy that was 53. He was excited but I think it was a big change for his wife at that stage in life.

[Mark THG]

I turn 43 this week.
I will take the State boards end of June and hope to find full time work thereafter. Guess I'll be a grandpa rookie also.

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Mark THG
Montgomery County Tx. Constable Pct. 2

In god we trust everyone else is a suspect!
mde@customholsters.com

[DeputyDan]

One of my closest buddies at the Academy when we graduated is 40 years old. He spent 22 years in the military. Pretty funny when you have someone old enough to be your dad as one of your close buddies. He takes alot of joking, but he dishes it out pretty good too.

Another guy I know started out when he was 48. He likes the job and the guys he works with treat him well. Again, he also gets nailed alot, but he dishes it out just as well.

Good luck...SIR!!

[Glockarmorer]

Lee,

You already know this is a military town. Half of our new hires are retired jarheads. Sometimes its not the age that's the hurdle, its convincing them that they're not senior Staff-NCO's anymore and that your average street scum is not the least bit impressed by a high and tight haircut! http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Not to worry.

G.A.

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No cops, know anarchy.

"He aint finna come all up in my house and act a fool and be gettin away with it cause I will go smooth off." -Movista

[leedesert]

LMAO!! http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
It's easier to get out of jail than it is a morgue. Live long and defend yourself!

Jhn 3:16
COP in 2002
NRA Lifer
GOA
GSSF
KABA

[Watchman]

I'm 41. Ive only been with the dept. for a year. Age does not appear to be an issue to the guys I work with but in many cases where a younger and an older guy work together the public will generally want to speak with the older guy...which most of the time is me.
Of course I usaully defer them to the officers with more experience than me. There are some situations where the officers will let me handle it..usually on domestic calls. The younger unmarried guys ( of which we have several) have no problem letting me talk to people that are usually around my age anyways.Even the younger couples that get into disputs naturally want to talk to older people.

I live by the golden rule. Treat others(that includes younger officers) as you want to be treated. It works quite well for me...