Any troopers??

[speedfreak68]

Is anyone here a state trooper, and what do you think of your job. I'm thinking of getting into the academy when I get out of collge. I was just curious.
Martin

[68X426]

I am not, but several friends and acquaintances are. I have learned from them --

Pro: They enjoy their field work, overall find it rewarding
Con: Hate the paperwork and bureacracy.

Pro: The pay and benefits are un-freakingly great (California anyway).
Pro: Retire at 50 with lifetime security and benefits.
Con: Is that worth dealing with the public and a good portion of them are scumbags?

Pro: You really are doing good deeds with your work. Very honorable work.
Con: You have to deal with death and tragedy. Real life mayhem, not the movies.

Lots to consider, talk to those in the field today (not second hand stuff like this). See if your state allows for ride-alongs by the public. CHP is hot on recruiting, see if your state has introductory programs for recruiting before making the big commitment.

Wishing you success however it turns out.

[Hemidog]

If it's anything like CHiPS, sign me up!

[TruckDriver]

If it's anything like CHiPS, sign me up!

[greenpigs]

I have heard you need to be in good physical shape. Plus grow a mustache and get a flattop haircut.

[Todd Wilson]

I got a star on my car and one on my chest,
A gun on my hip and the right to arrest
I'm the guy who's the boss on this highway
So watch out what you're doin' when you're drivin' my way
If you break the law, you'll hear from me, I know
I'm a-workin' for the state, I'm The Highway Patrol

Well, you'll know me when you see me, 'cause my door's painted white,
My siren a-screamin' and my flashin' red lights
I work all day and I work all night
Just a-keepin' law and order, tryin' to do what's right
If I write you out a ticket, then you'd better drive slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

I'm the highway patrol, the highway patrol,
My hours are long, and my pay is low
But I'll do my best to keep you driving slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

[ac_knight]

Depends on what state you are talking about.

[HITMAN 149]

im not a "state trooper" but im a cop for a specific town.... im 4th Generation in my family to wear my badge... it's the same one my grandfather, both my uncle's (his sons) and now I wear it with PRIDE!!!!!!! #149  and i have various cousins on the job also.
its a great job!! the benefits are great!!! (pension & health benefits for you & your family!!!!)
yes the politics & silllllly games SUCK!!! also the many sad things you can see... but they get outway'd by the great stuff you can do!!!! just think how the economy is right now... there is NO loyalty/security out there.... but there is security & a steady paycheck in L.E.
yes go talk to anyone else you know who's a cop, and also see if they have a recruitment dept....
good luck & keep us posted!!!!!!

pic of me & my old partner who's verrrrry happpily retired!!! the bastard!!! lol

[Sabre]

I have heard you need to be in good physical shape. Plus grow a mustache and get a flattop haircut.

I've also heard that if you're a cop in the state of Georgia eventually you'll have to chase two guys in a an orange souped up Charger.  Sorry couldn't resist.

[elacruze]

 

I got a star on my car and one on my chest,
A gun on my hip and the right to arrest
I'm the guy who's the boss on this highway
So watch out what you're doin' when you're drivin' my way
If you break the law, you'll hear from me, I know
I'm a-workin' for the state, I'm The Highway Patrol

Well, you'll know me when you see me, 'cause my door's painted white,
My siren a-screamin' and my flashin' red lights
I work all day and I work all night
Just a-keepin' law and order, tryin' to do what's right
If I write you out a ticket, then you'd better drive slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

I'm the highway patrol, the highway patrol,
My hours are long, and my pay is low
But I'll do my best to keep you driving slow
I'm just a-doin' my job, I'm The Highway Patrol

[THE STIG]

I'm no cop i any way but I an in the L.E. field and it has it's pros and cons as stated by 68x426. The suckiest part of having any public job is the politics, when your ultimate supervisor is some politician it can really make you hate your job sometimes. In most states the Gov's office will change hands every 4-8 years, one guy will spend money like it's water (you get a raise every year) then some other guy comes in and wants to slash spending because the state is broke (you get no raises until the next election year, yet road work continues rural state highways). And politicians are quick to throw thier people under the bus when the public gets wind of somthing unpopular, not neccessarily the little people but the Head of whatever Dept. you work for, and the next thing you know every aspect of your job has changed and you have to completly re-learn your job. But like somone else said it probably depends greatly on what state you live in, whatever Good Luck with what ever you do.

[speedfreak68]

ya, Ive heard the politics can be a real sob, Ive got an "almost" stepbrother thats a trooper, I never really thought about it until I talked to him. Right now its my plan, Hopefully the state will start hiring cycle again so I can attempt to get a job.

[HITMAN 149]

yessssss the politics & red tape are the worst sometimes.. and also working for a jerkoff who just happened to do better than you on a written test.... that reallllly has nothing to do with real being out in the street policework!!! uggggg lol
but overall its a great job... with many good benefits.. as well as knowing you made a diff in someone life sometimes!!!!

gooood luck!!!

[speedfreak68]

All I can say is that I'm ready for collge to get out... I'm pretty excited to go to the academy. Thanks for all the input guys! 

[Ponch ®]

I am not, but several friends and acquaintances are. I have learned from them --

Pro: They enjoy their field work, overall find it rewarding
Con: Hate the paperwork and bureacracy.

Pro: The pay and benefits are un-freakingly great (California anyway).
Pro: Retire at 50 with lifetime security and benefits.
Con: Is that worth dealing with the public and a good portion of them are scumbags?

Pro: You really are doing good deeds with your work. Very honorable work.
Con: You have to deal with death and tragedy. Real life mayhem, not the movies.

Lots to consider, talk to those in the field today (not second hand stuff like this). See if your state allows for ride-alongs by the public. CHP is hot on recruiting, see if your state has introductory programs for recruiting before making the big commitment.

Wishing you success however it turns out.

It has always been on my list of "things I wanna be when I grow up" (as if my screen name didn't hint at that  ), but I hear right now it's kind of a bad time to try to get in to the academy due to the budget situation. Plus, you can be stationed anywhere. I'd hate to be a CHP officer in Barstow or some place like that.

[THE STIG]

ya, Ive heard the politics can be a real sob, Ive got an "almost" stepbrother thats a trooper, I never really thought about it until I talked to him. Right now its my plan, Hopefully the state will start hiring cycle again so I can attempt to get a job.

As for the hiring cycle, in most departments they will announce that they are hiring, they won't disclose hoe many they will hire but let's say 100. They'll get about 2000 aps and then begin the process of weeding out with the written exam, physical exam, psych. etc. when they are all done they'll be down to a few hundred, they take thier 100 from that and as they need more over the next year or two as more veterans retire or what not they will contact the others who passed but weren't in the first hundred. So if you don't get on in the first cycle don't get discouraged just be patient.

[472 R/T SE]

I really hate to speculate but here goes.

HIT, ac_ are your superiors' like most other lines of work?  You can do your job better than them when they were in the field with you, it's just they have the gift of gab (better at politickin') and were able to kiss the right ass to move up?

[HITMAN 149]

yea basically!!! lol the promotional test isn't geared towards who's the better street cop..or supervisor.... its geared towards who is better book smart wise & who can study & reatain a stupid book better!!!! the test is given by the state...(the dept of personel.)   and each department has a diff way of doing things... so it's not like you can just go by what you would do out on a scene... you gotta go by what "they" (the state) would want you to do according to the books!!!
i studied my A$$$$$$ off for the last sgt's test!!! and i was working steady midnights too!!!!!! OMG you have to put in soooooo much time & the study groups arent cheap either!!! ($2500) 
i came out #20 in my dept, out of about 85 guys who took it.... but unfort due to fact we have a new mayor (who's NOT cop friendly!!!  ) and alot of state cutbacks & crap.... and our lovely new GOV who is against unions & cops,firemen & teachers!!!! (fat bastard asssss douche!!!) i certanley arent gonna get promoted anytime soon!! and the sgt's list expires this year!!! and there prob won't be a chance for me to get rank for at least 10 years from what they are saying!! uggggggg!! they were talking about layoff's & even some demotions maybe?!?!? how's that for MORALE!!! on top of us not having a new contract & not getting a raise for almost 2 1/2 years so far!!! hmmmmmmm 
ok im done w my rant!!! lol

[speedfreak68]

ya, Ive heard the politics can be a real sob, Ive got an "almost" stepbrother thats a trooper, I never really thought about it until I talked to him. Right now its my plan, Hopefully the state will start hiring cycle again so I can attempt to get a job.

As for the hiring cycle, in most departments they will announce that they are hiring, they won't disclose hoe many they will hire but let's say 100. They'll get about 2000 aps and then begin the process of weeding out with the written exam, physical exam, psych. etc. when they are all done they'll be down to a few hundred, they take thier 100 from that and as they need more over the next year or two as more veterans retire or what not they will contact the others who passed but weren't in the first hundred. So if you don't get on in the first cycle don't get discouraged just be patient.

So would it be helpful for me to talk to someone with the state and send my application in now, even though they arn't hiring? I'm hopeing that the fact that I went through collge will make me stand out from some of the rest, even though my degree doesn't pertain to this sort of job.

[twodko]

HITMAN 149,

That's a great picture of you and your partner......damn that guy's got a big ass smile! Your story of how that one shield was passed through several family generations is priceless! Were I you, I might love that shield more than my wife. hahaha
Good for your partner and you'll be there soon. Watch your "six" and go home EVERY night.

Tom

[mikesbbody]

im not a "state trooper" but im a cop for a specific town.... im 4th Generation in my family to wear my badge... it's the same one my grandfather, both my uncle's (his sons) and now I wear it with PRIDE!!!!!!! #149  and i have various cousins on the job also.
its a great job!! the benefits are great!!! (pension & health benefits for you & your family!!!!)

I gotta say Hitman, I'm kinda worried for ya your a Hitman for the mob AND your a Cop too...I sure hope the "Family" don't find out or are you undercover for the mob...  

[HITMAN 149]

hey speed... yes even though you dont have degree in crim justice... some states/departments require you to have aa degree.... or at least 2 yrs military & half of your credits....
i know up/over here by us you can only send in your app when it comes out...
and back to the benefits.... ive been out since mid january w/ shoulder surgery!!!  i have UNLIMITED sick days!!!!


thanks TOM!! i try!!! lol yea he's home happppily doing NOTHING!!!!! lmao im in my 11th year & we have to do at least 25 to get full benefits and 65% pension... 30 years gets you the other 5% to 70%.....

and mike...
ohhhhh minga fougetabout it!!!! it's a fugazy!!! lmao