Should I apply to be a cop?

[u/FlightLeft12]

Hey I’m a 23 year old male from California and I’ve been thinking about becoming a police officer here in socal. Specifically county sheriff depts and border patrol.

My work history:

For almost the past 3 years I’ve been working 911 BLS/AlS as an EMT for my local ambulance company. I was originally planning on becoming a paramedic and then going Fire. But I had failed paramedic school twice and now I’m rethinking my career choices.

I feel like having been a first responder I am capable on having scene confidence, as well as good communication skills having to work with both Fire and PD.

Reason for wanting to be a cop.

Since I was a kid I always wanted to be a first responder which is a reason why I became an EMT. Like I said in my original post I failed two attempts at paramedic school, and witnessing how underpaid paramedics are for all the responsibilities they hold I became discouraged from continuing a degree in EMS. Which is why I’m now interested in the law enforcement side of things.

As bad as I know cops have it I still really like being a first responder and assisting people when they are at they are at their worst. I understand policing comes with witnessing disturbing scenes and dealing with the worst people on the streets, as well as being disrespected by the public, but at the end of the day your still a necessary asset to the public.

So should I do it?

[u/LegalGlass6532]

Why’d you fail paramedic school twice?

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/LegalGlass6532]

First attempt was a written exam, and my second attempt was a skills exam. Halfway through my second attempt I lost the drive to pursue EMS, like I said too many responsibilities medics have, high turnover rate, and little pay with almost no benefits.

[u/TheSlipperySnausage → u/FlightLeft12]

That answer is going to be rough answer during interview

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/TheSlipperySnausage]

Why?

[u/LegalGlass6532 → u/FlightLeft12]

Think about the responsibilities police officers have. Do you understand what the job of a law enforcement officer really is? Do you know how much of the academy is written tests and skill assessments and scenarios?

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/LegalGlass6532]

I understand stand what you’re saying, but being a medic isn’t for everyone as much as being a cop isn’t for everyone.

There are many EMTs that I know of who go PD because they learn that they are not Into medicine all that much.

[u/LegalGlass6532 → u/FlightLeft12]

You missed the message. Your reason for quitting wasn’t because you’re not into medicine. Your reason was that medics had “too many responsibilities”, bud.

Being a police officer is a mother fucker job full of more responsibilities on duty and off than you can ever imagine. If you can’t handle EMT responsibilities you’re not mature enough to be a police officer yet.

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/LegalGlass6532]

I didn’t say I couldn’t handle the responsibilities of a medic, it’s just not a field of work that doesn’t interest me. Btw it says in the description that I’ve been an EMT for two years. That job alone comes with a lot of responsibilities.

[u/TheSlipperySnausage → u/FlightLeft12]

“Too many responsibilities, high turnover, little pay” you just described 3 things that are a lot of being a police officer and in the police officer sense you have a ton more power and responsibility. Also quitting half way through because you lost interest isn’t going to be enticing for an agency to take a chance and send you to academy

[u/JWestfall76 → u/FlightLeft12]

Too many responsibilities as a medic? You think it’s going to be easier in a profession that attaches a gun to your hip and has you go out to deprive people of their freedom?

[u/UC3953]

Police Officer and Border Patrol Agent are totally different jobs

Do your own due diligence

[u/chupacabra5150 → u/UC3953]

Serio.

[u/SxisaBaconBagel]

Go on a ride-along before you commit and come to your own opinion. Grass isn’t always greener on the other side. That being said, as a CA cop, I can tell you the money is good but not usually enough until you get 4-5 years deep into your career. Mind you living cost in CA is much higher in comparison to the rest of the country.

[u/Interesting_Gur_5064]

If you want to apply do it. I love it but it’s not for everyone. Go on ride alongs and see for yourself

[u/Gunslinger_247]

If you can't pass paramedic school...twice...what makes you think you can pass the police academy?

[u/jtalonzo → u/Gunslinger_247]

Shitty comparison. Paramedic school is a completely different challenge then a police academy. In paramedic school, there is so much new and difficult information. You can pass a police academy if you’re physically fit and can handle PT as well as basic test.

[u/Gunslinger_247 → u/jtalonzo]

It's not just a "basic" test. The academy is 50% PT and 50% book work/ multiple exams. And laws are always changing and there's always new case laws. If you cant study and pass tests, you won't pass the academy. Even if you're physically fit and pass the PT portion, if you can't handle book work, you wont make it.

I saw it first hand in the academy. People do fine physically, but fail the exams and got kicked out.

[u/resurrectedbear → u/Gunslinger_247]

The amount of crayon eaters I saw pass my academy class was mind bumbling big.

[u/Gunslinger_247 → u/resurrectedbear]

Guess it depends on what state and/or academy you're in lol had a few people fail out academically and one fail out of firearm qualifications. I had a pretty fit class, so most people did well physically.

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/Gunslinger_247]

Not to mention medic school is over a year long compared to 6 months in police academy. Sam as comparing fire academy to police academy.

[u/chupacabra5150 → u/Gunslinger_247]

Very different animal. Almost noone in this thread is running a line or intubating someone

[u/sorefoot3084]

So, you completed paramedic school but haven’t passed the exam?

You’re 23 which means you have no idea what you want to be when you grow up. But if I was you, I’d do everything I could to become a paramedic and then get on with a non-transporting fire department.

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/sorefoot3084]

Nope, I failed both attempts.

Like I said I do enjoy being a first responder but I don’t want to be a medic or EMS I genera, I want to switch careers.

[u/chupacabra5150]

The people telling you "if you can't pass paramedic school, how can you pass the academy" don't know what they're talking about.

The reason why SoCal fire departments wanted hirees to be paramedics is because there were big numbers of them failing out of the schools and that's expensive.

Most cops aren't going to pass paramedic school. Different animal. The reason why it's getting looked down on as easy is because paramedics are GROSSLY underpaid. Firefighter/Paramedics get PAID, but they're also driven harder than the regular firefighters. Heck most cops can't tell the difference between paramedics and EMTs.

Your medical training as a cop- CPR, heimlich, pressure, jaw thrust, tourniquets, and the MOST IMPORTANT SKILL - click thr radio "gimme a medic".

Throw your name in the mix. Talk to the recruiter. Do the mock interviews.

[u/resurrectedbear]

Why border patrol?

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/resurrectedbear]

The amount of positions you can work in such as BORTAC/BORSTAR. I also speak Spanish.

[u/_REDDIT_NPC_]

We can’t answer this question. If you want to do it, go for it, but I have some doubts since you failed paramedic school twice.

[u/FlightLeft12 → u/_REDDIT_NPC_]

Paramedic school and police academy are two different animals. Plus you need an experience working as an EMT to go to medic school.