I was an active duty officer for one year and then I went to a civilian job for a year. Before leaving active duty, I was sworn in as a reserve officer in another department. While I was working as a civilian, I was able to maintain my certification as long as I worked 12 hours a month(unpaid) and kept up my firearms qualifications and annual in-service requirements. This was done through the reserve section. I later went back on active duty with no problems, where I remain to this day.

You may have to work for free and buy some of your own gear, but as some of the others on here said, some experience is better than none. Working for free shows initiative!

Good point. I'll keep that in mind if they call me back. My pressing question is whether I really want to be a LEO. That's why I decided to go in for the interview: to get a better feel for the job, hoping that would help me conclude definitively yes or no whether I really want to. Still undecided.

Again, thanks for taking time to reply and the information.

Guy, nothing personal, but you are all over the map here. You've asked for and gotten some solid advice on many different things. You need to settle down and start focusing your energy.

As far as you wanting to be in LE, only you can answer that.

HK, thanks. I didn't take it personally.

Next, let me state for the record that, yes, I have received some very solid advice from some very solid people on every question I have ever asked on this board. This forum being no exception. I would expect nothing less from the caliber of people who frequent this board. If I have not expressed enough my gratitude for those who have taken time to offer me their sincere thoughts, let this post suffice. Thank you, to all! And, if anyone feels they wasted their time in doing so, my humble apologies: I wouldn't ask if I knew. And, I would never intentionally dis-respect anyone who tried to help me.

Not sure what you meant, HK, by settling down and focusing my energy. I presume it's not drinking green tea with my wife while watching Judge Judy in between yoga sessions. (Joking).

Seriously, though, thank you, again, and most sincerely, to all who have replied to any of my questions! The replies have been beneficial. Perhaps more than you'll know.


Most sincerely, Spot.

P.S. CAMedic, no, I cannot afford the approximately $1,500 it will take for me to attend the academy -- gear included.

Spot wrote:

. My pressing question is whether I really want to be a LEO.

Have you done a "ride a long" yet? Every citizen is entitled to a "ride a long". Also,if you know anyone at the station well enough,ask if you can shadow them for a day or so to see what they go through.

Spot wrote:

Good point. I'll keep that in mind if they call me back. My pressing question is whether I really want to be a LEO. That's why I decided to go in for the interview: to get a better feel for the job, hoping that would help me conclude definitively yes or no whether I really want to. Still undecided. Again, thanks for taking time to reply and the information.

Spot, consider going on several ride-alongs. You will learn more from riding with several officers than any interview. If you ask to ride with a more seasoned officer you will get the no bullshit good and bad. King county would be a good choice or Portland PD would be good for a wide range of calls. Best of luck.

Great suggestions. Thanks. I'll look into it.

Spot, why would you want to do this type of work? To serve people? To carry a badge? For the excitement?
I been dong this career choice longer than most and not as long as others and I still ask myself why do I do this job? It dosent pay real well, everybody is going to get you fired, everybody is , work a rotating shift, I may not come home one day, evening or night, been shot, stabbed, thrown by a rancher, struck by a car, bit by my own dog (but thats another story).
I have all kinds of cool certs from state and federal academies and I still ask myself WHY? Well, Its beacuse somebody has to stand up for the ones who cannot, or wont.
I have dined with the dregs of society and have broken bread with the obscenley rich. Shed tears over a childs body, traded jokes with burglars and bitch slapped stupid people.
Many men on this forum who are much wiser than me and a whole heck of a lot smarter and better edcuated than I have given you their honest opinions, and heres mine. Learn a trade, be an electriction, barber, a machinist, welder, mechanic ANYTHING first. THEN become a cop, because when you hit that wall that all cops hit, you can fall back on your trade for a while and still provide for your family. Many may not agree with what I have posted but, when I started out, my FTO told me this sage advice, and I pass it on to you. Learn a trade and then come work wih me.

Be safe.