Group Forums >> The Illinois Law Enforcement Forum >> Questions?
Questions?
1660 posts back to top |
Posted 3 months ago Anybody have anything they want to ask? Hopefully about LE work in Illinois. Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
2 posts back to top |
| Posted 3 months ago Hi Pete. I do have a question for you. I am 31 years old and actively applying to LE agencies around my area in SW Illinois. I am fairly deep into the interview process with a local pd and during the interview some things finally hit home and got me worried. I have two young kids at home, 3 and 1, and we all are used to me working straight days, 5 days a week, no weekends, no holidays. I knew getting into this would involve nights, weekends, holidays, etc., but as I said, it all hit home as I spoke with the detective who did my interview. He, rightfully so, made it abundantly clear that I will be working some holidays, overtime and obviously every other weekend. So, I am wondering how this change is going to affect my family. Have you or anyone else around here seen or experienced similar circumstances? If so, how did it work out? I know LE is what I want to do but I also have a family to think about and how it will affect them. Any stories, comments, opinions, etc are appreciated. |
357 posts back to top |
| Posted 3 months ago Pete I hope you don't mind my input here. If this is something you are going to pursue have a sit down with your family. This is the best way to deal with this. Let them know that your schedule is going to be different if you end up with the job. Law enforcement is hard on families if they aren't prepared for what is ahead. It's easier to cope with if they know ahead of time. Lay out what the detective said. Things will be smoother with the family. I brought an extra can of whoop ass just in case! |
|
1660 posts back to top |
| Posted 3 months ago Hey miarylan2k, not only do I want your input, but feel free to help answer.....as you did very well. Anyone else feel free to assist answering. RB2009, like in any new job there will be changes needed to be made to your family life. Like what was posted, you MUST get your family involved and informed on what will happen in the next few years. Being on the low rung of the senority list is something many of us have had to deal with: working Holidays, forced OT, working midnights, undesirable assignments, no OT, extra costs for start up (equipment and such) and so on. Also mention about how being an LEO will effect you family, just because you are one. Friends and neighbors will treat you and your family differently (you are no longer Mr. Smith who lives in the beige house, your now the cop who lives down the block). Most families are proud that dad or mom are the Police protecting everyone. It also makes you sorta a hero and roll model even more to your kids. Everyone with a family already in place and becoming an LEO has felt the same way you do. Don't worry, with more time on you will get more time off (funny how that works) and Holidays too. Sacrifices have to made to get into this field, but the benefits are many. Good luck, Pete Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
|
1660 posts back to top |
| Posted 3 months ago Someone sent me a PM that was a very good question. What do you look for in a trainee when you are FTOing? I'll let others answer first. Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
|
357 posts back to top |
| Posted 3 months ago willing to learn, able to take constructive criticism, hands on I brought an extra can of whoop ass just in case! |
|
1660 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago bump Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
683 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago What's the best experience you've had while being with Joliet? Noah Ballard "Train like there is no tomorrow, and there will be a tomorrow!" - Unknown |
1273 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago Um, getting away from Sauk Village??? (Sorry, Pete, I had to!) LOL Don't sweat the small stuff....you'll dehydrate |
|
1660 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago IamQnMutha says ...
That's for sure. Funny thing is I'm friends with the K9 handler from there. He was hired after I left and is now a Sgt. I have no regrets leaving. Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
|
1660 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago NoahBallard says ...
It sounds corny, but the people I work with. Some of the things they do in their free time is awesome. A lot of charity work and fund raising. A lot of them can tell you some of the greatest stories. Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
|
1273 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago PETE114 says ...
Heck, I've known Chris and his family since he was just a little guy! LOL (I keep in touch sometimes with MadDog, too) Don't sweat the small stuff....you'll dehydrate |
|
1660 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago IamQnMutha says ...
I'll probably see him tomorrow in Oak Forest for K9 training. Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
|
683 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago Ok here's something I've been needing to know.
What are the positives and negatives (differences) between a large department, say Joliet, and a smaller department, say Kankakee city or Sauk Vill. Noah Ballard "Train like there is no tomorrow, and there will be a tomorrow!" - Unknown |
|
1660 posts back to top |
| Posted 2 months ago There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages. I'll try to explain. Large PD advantages: More room for advancement, better pay and benefits, more/better equipment, better resources, your own dispatch, better manpower to assist on calls, bigger town makes for more to do. Large PD disadvantages: More competition for units, positions, and promotion, equipment may be spread out thinly, manpower shortages due to budget constraints. Small PD advantages: Opportunity for more training, you will know your town (and people) faster, less competition for advancement and units, sometimes not as busy as larger PDs, more choice and decisions on equipment. Small PD disadvantages: Lower pay, budgets for training and equipment may be smaller, town can get boring after a while, you can be only one of 3 Officers on a shift, your dispatch may be linked with other PDs and you fight for air time.
There are other things to also for each. You have to look at the City or Town also. Is it a dump and falling apart? Is it a snooty rich town that think the Police are a "necessary evil?" Where will the town be in 10, 15, 20 years down the road? I personally like working for a bigger PD. In Illinois, excluding Chicago, you have Joliet, Aurora, Peoria, Springfield, Rockford, Bloomington/Normal, Waukegan, Elgin, Naperville, Decatur, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Schaumburg, Kankakee and so on. I went from a Village with a pop. of 13,000 and an 18 man PD, to a City with a 150,000 pop. and a 300 man PD. I like to keep busy and see new things everyday. Making the jump was good for me, but maybe not for others. I enjoyed my time working for the smaller PD, but for me the grass WAS greener on the other side. As for Chicago PD. Think of it as a City with 25 Joliets in it. Thats how many Districts that are in Chicago PD. There are also differences in working for County Sheriff's Office or the State Police. Just because you trained for something, doesn't mean you're prepared for it. - Anonymous
|
