Police Officers answer wannabe cops' questions

[HiThere]

Please use this thread if you consider becoming a cop one day.



The first question is as follows: please list the right and the wrong reasons for becoming a police officer.

Also, please list top 5 (or as many as you would deem appropriate) things you love and hate about your job.

Thank you!

[skidmark]

Being a power tripper is the wrong reason.

Wanting to have a job that is always a challenge and requires a great deal of self reliance is a good reason.

5 things I love about my job:

1) Being able to supervise myself.
2) Always a challenge to learn more.
3) The people I work with.
4) Being able to work in the community.
5) The paycheque is regular.

5 things I hate about my job:

1) Transfers
2) The current ambiguity about how to spend my working time
3) Paperwork
4) Court
5) Rude people

[HiThere]

Skidmark, if being a power tripper is a wrong reason, then does it follow that RCMP is not looking to hire the so-called "Alpha" males, who by definition are competitive, agressive and power tripping? If that is the case, who would be a typical person RCMP would love to hire?

Thank you!

[jason-ramsey]

Originally posted by HiThere
Skidmark, if being a power tripper is a wrong reason, then does it follow that RCMP is not looking to hire the so-called "Alpha" males, who by definition are competitive, agressive and power tripping? If that is the case, who would be a typical person RCMP would love to hire?

Thank you!


Not all "Alpha" males are like this, the RCMP have a very selective approach to picking there officers. I have seen some that would and could rip your head off. Then I have seen some that you see them and start looking for there mom. I was selected for the Surrey Auxillaries. I had a 45 minute interview where they asked me questions ranging from personel to scenerio. They are basically looking for a good character. Most police officers at first will start off alittle trippy,but it will pass. the ones who do not get over it will find them selves in more trouble than it is worth. I my self have been out on numerous ride alongs and I have work Security for awhile. The peddy little things that used to bother me no longer do.

Jason

[TJeeper]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by skidmark
5 things I hate about my job:

1) Transfers

I understand that unlike previous decades, today the upper brass may take into account your lifestyle, spouses employment, etc. That said, what is the likelihood of being transferred from a posting when you have a wife that is very successful in her position at that location.

[skidmark]

The official word from staffing in BC is that you could expect to spend about 8 years in a posting, then prepare to be moved.

I don't think that they take into account spouse and family desires.

If you end up in the lower mainland, that isn't a problem as you could live in the same house and work in all the different lower mainland detachments.

[HiThere]

Skidmark, what is the reason behind moving RCMP officers to another detachment? What are the chances of working in a liason office abroad or in headquarters in Ottawa?

[skidmark]

I'm not sure that all the transfers are really necessary, but that's the way the RCMP works.

Being posted to Ottawa is not out of the question, but it is rare to be posted abroad as a liason officer. One of my troopmates is currently stationed in Vienna Austria doing that job. I haven't heard from him since he left but I imagine he is doing a good job.

[HiThere]

But transfers are a good way to remove an officer who may not be getting along with the brass, I would imagine. Sometimes the change of the environment is all that is needed. Though I would think transfers are one of the reasons why RCMP sees fewer people applying these days. That, and drug testing, perhaps? :)

Here's a big question for you, Skidmark! Which car do you like better, Impala or CrownVic and why?

[fookeneh]

The 2004 GTO is nice.Built in Australia,rear wheel drive,6-speed,350 hp corvette engine.:D

[skidmark]

I prefer the Impala myself. Better acceleration and smaller turning radius.

[Parnelli_001]

hehe hate the tahoes, dont handle well on persuits of any kind :redneck except border jumpers.

[Joe M]

This is sort of on topic, sort of off....

What is done to a police car to make it what it is? Obviously theres a shield to protect the officers from the backseat passengers, funky lights and sirens, but are they tuned at all? Any hardware changes that affect how it drives compared to one you buy off the lot?

[skidmark]

As far as I understand it, you can buy the same car we do off the dealer's lot if you know what to order. I expect that they probably won't include the DRL kill switch though.

[Parnelli_001]

at least for down here they gut out the cars almost totally, build them with a reinforced window between the rear of the front seats and front of the rear seats which looks like it doubles as a roll bar of sorts, plastic seats and floor are in the rear (for obvious reasons) the center counsel is removed and a full radio center is in its place including the control switches for take down lights, side lights, traffic lights and such. the actual mechanics i dont think are tampered with as in modifying it like skidmark stated. now the exception to this are the patrol cars out on long stretches of road, such as the interceptor camaro based in kelowna. i dunno, it COULD be stock, but it was fast as h#ll.

[HiThere]

Well, I have run out of questions. Imagine that

[muddhunter]

Most cop cars are juiced up, the 9C1 Caprice (cop specs) is basically an Impala SS, 350LT1 and beefier suspension components, without the leather and good looks.:D
My buddy used to work at a chrysler dealership, and did a service on a Grand Caravan highway patrol vehicle, and he said it was way faster than a stock Grand Caravan.
5.0 mustang intercepters are supposed to be faster than stock too, but only available in the US.

[fookeneh]

I heard camaros are more desirable due to better traction and high speed characteristics over the 5.o stang. I wouldn't want to start a brand flame war here though.:p

[HiThere]

Cops in Europe have BMW M5 for a cruiser...

[HiThere]

Skidmark, please forgive me for asking this question, as it probably sounds petty and immature, but I would really appreciate some information.

Basically, when I ask myself what makes police work hard, the usual answers of "odd hours," "stress," "having to deal with people who died a violent death," and such come to mind. But then, if we think about it, I believe one of the most difficult parts of being a police officer is being far away from washroom facilities for an extended period of time.

Yes, some people may giggle, and some may roll their eyes, but we in Canada are so accustomed to being able to relieve ourselves pretty much whenever we feel like it, that we forget that some people, like police officers, have to "hold it" for hours at a time without the possibility of using the facilities. And it can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful.

So, Skidmark, the question is this: is there some specific food(s) you recommend, or maybe something else one can do (aside from not eating) to avoid having to experience a very unpleasant feeling of "having to go" when you really cannot go, because you have to stand in a certain spot (surveillance, etc) or investigate a collision, or something like that.

I once again apologize for the question, but I think it's an important one, and someone with your many years on the force can really answer

Thank you!

[skidmark]

The first law of traffic policing:

Never pass up a chance to go to the bathroom.

I never considered it too much beyond going easy on the coffee. When I was in the Okanagan you could drink all day and never have to go to the bathroom. I'm sure we sweated it all out.

For the males it was usually easy to find a spot out of sight for a quick whiz, but the females generally had it tougher. You'll have to find one to ask her though, I don't know.

[HiThere]

Thank you, Skidmark, I already fell better. Though I do feel sorry for the officers stationed in treeless locations :-)

Let's move on to more pleasant subjects, shall we

Is it generally the case that by volunteering at a community police station a person increases the chances of being hired as a police officer?

Thank you!

[skidmark]

We have a recruiting officer in our detachment and I do spend some time talking with him, especially now that my daughter has expressed an interest in joining the Force.

He tells me that they are looking for people with life experience that can demonstrate decision making skills based on choices that they have made. He has suggested that I encourage her to take a couple of years of post secondary education and to do community volunteer work of any kind.

Apparently the second interview is a very structured one and candidates are going to have to show how they made good decisions in their lives and back it up with examples. He says most people straight out of high school have difficulty doing this.

Others were a surprise. He spoke of people that worked as a conservation officer in Alberta from April to October and then went on EI for the winter. No attempt at school, another job or volunteer work. No job in the RCMP either.

[Parnelli_001]

Hithere, i can speak through experience on this part to, having just gone through over 8 months of the recruiting phase.

Life experience, and yet again, experience, once more, experience is necessary now. the questions are general so anyone from any background can answer them, but be aware there are tougher standards that white males have to follow then minority groups. I know this sounds bad, but its published on the website so i feel i can bring it up.
One of the things that helped carry me through the process is my experience with my part time by-law enforcement job, my volunteer hours with our local Citizens on Patrol, and search and rescue hours. They also seem to focus on your past in the thoughts that if your in a trend of speeding tickets, criminal activities or what have you that you are not about to stop just because your getting into the force.
i know MANY people who have been turned down at interview stage because they dont have enough life experience, and volunteer work seems to counteract this decision quite well.

so, in short if your thinking about a career in the force, be ready with a ton and a half of experiences you have had in your past and always try to add on some more. Sorry i dont think i can get more into it then this, hopefully it helps a bit.


(edit) Skidmark, i think your right, we do sweat it out down here, even our heavy coffee drinkers only go 2wice a shift it seems.:D

[HiThere]

Speaking of female cops, they seem to be very attractive. I saw a Vancouver PD cop a few months ago, and it was like she came straight from Miss World competition. Just could not believe my eyes. A few RCMP female officers I saw were not bad at all either

Do female cops tend to date male cops, or is it not the case? How does the force look upon cops dating each other?

[Parnelli_001]

:laugh :laugh i dont want to touch that with a 10 foot pole.

but since you brought it up... once your employed in the force its not good practise but yes, inter office relations go on. (again this is from a smaller detachment) we just had a Corporal and Constable marry a few years ago who both worked out of the same detachment.
Now, when you go through depot this isnt the case. there are no relationships beyond professional within the barracks period.

[HiThere]

Do male and female cadets sleep in the same room in the depot?

[skidmark]

Not when I was at Depot!

I am one of those in office romances too. My wife was a constable too at the time we met. I stuck with it and she quit after our son was born.

[HiThere]

Here's a question!

A guy I know was driving "fast," and was pulled over by an off duty RCMP officer who had flashing lights installed in the headlights of his personal vehicle (not the light bar). The officer then used a cell phone to call his on-duty friends to come and do the usual traffic thing. I do not know who charged the guy (the off duty cop, or on duty cops), but he ended up losing his licence for a while. Two questions:

1. Is it legal for an off-duty police officer to make a traffic stop in his personal vehicle? Is there a special law to this effect? I suppose anyone can install flashing lights as long as they do not impersonate a cop.

2. The legality of the stop aside, would you make such a stop yourself, since you have no weapon or vest and have no idea whether the guy you are pulling over is armed?

Thank you!

[fookeneh]

So, Skidmark, the question is this: is there some specific food(s) you recommend, or maybe something else one can do (aside from not eating) to avoid having to experience a very unpleasant feeling of "having to go" when you really cannot go, because you have to stand in a certain spot (surveillance, etc) or investigate a collision, or something like that.

I think HiThere should change his name to 'I'M-High-Here' :laugh
I would recommend eating a box of doughnuts,then wash it down with a couple extra large coffees.If you are in a deep under cover surveillance situation ,then you should have some hard boiled eggs and bean burritos with twinkies for snacks.That should bung you up pretty good.:D

[Parnelli_001]

an off duty officer has the same powers as an on duty officer. as a municiple peace officer i never wear vests or carry a firearm and constantly deal with armed and usually drunk members of the public. it is up to the officer himself whether he approaches the car being unarmed/unprotected, if he called an on duty officer as you said i am sure he probably just sat behind the car and waited, insuring the driver didnt switch seats, hide the beer, etc.

[HiThere]

No, the guy was not drunk, and he was the only occupant. The most hilarious thing is that he was driving "very fast," and the cop was ahead of him in the left lane, so the guy actually flashed his high beams at the cop to let him through! Needless to say, your brother in arms obliged, and only after that started the light show

:)

[skidmark]

(2) Red, white or amber flashing lamps may be used on the following vehicles:

(a) a fire department vehicle driven by a member of the fire department in the discharge of the member's duties;

(b) an official vehicle driven by a peace officer, constable or member of the police branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the discharge of the officer's duties;

(c) an ambulance, as defined in the Health Emergency Act, if the ambulance is responding to an emergency call or transporting a patient and it is essential for the ambulance to gain the right of way;

(3) Only those vehicles described in subsection (2) may be equipped with a system which alternately flashes the headlamps of the vehicle.

(8) An official vehicle driven by a member of a municipal police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or the police branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the discharge of the officer's duties may be equipped with and illuminate blue flashing lights.

If this car is the personal property of the officer, he is out of line with the lights. He is also crazy to be doing enforcement like that out of uniform and duty equipment.

[Parnelli_001]

skidmark, i've been looking for info such as what you just posted- can i ask that you post a link to where you found it? ok it might have been out of line to put lights on his personal car- i asked myself WHY he would want to do that, once he leaves work isnt that enough for a day? but at the same time as a sworn in officer is he not supposed to prevent the continuation of an offence if witnessed even off duty? yes he went to extremes- probably too far to do this kind of stop.

[Parnelli_001]

maybe this can be answered in a link you might post, but what constitutes an official vehicle? i know for a fact that 2 of our PC's happen to be personal vehicles of a Corporal and a S/Sgt. out of our detachment. the vehicles are rarely used during duty hours but both are equipped with red and blue alternating lights as well as headlight/taillight flashers. Maybe they can do this to their personal vehicles because they can be called in to a scene at any hour while they are off duty or what?

[skidmark]

An official vehicle would have RCMP on the papers as registered owner.

You can find a link to the common driving statutes on our Rulebook page. (http://www.island.net/~cihp/rulebook.html) The information that I posted came from the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.

[Parnelli_001]

Thanks for the link, that'll definately help. So both these guys have rcmp written as RO's of their vehicles? why would they do that when they just paid 40k for them? i guess i wont ask. Seeing as their vehicles must be official then, can any member take it out and drive it? i havent seen that happen yet :laugh but i guess it probably could

[HiThere]

Skidmark and Parnelli:

How easy is it to get fired from RCMP? I hear conflicting stories. One of my aquaintances who knows some RCMP officers claims that falling behind in your paperwork (as in actually taking your days off, as opposed to working for free in your days off doing your paperwork, since there is never enough time during your scheduled shift), will result in termination

But then I read about this disgraced officer who stole money and property from a crime scene, and now RCMP is having a hard time getting rid of him

So, what is truth, and what is fiction?

Thank you!

[skidmark]

The only other way to legally have flashing lights on your car is through a permit from ICBC.

I don't do paperwork on my days off. If it needs to be done that badly, they can authorized the overtime.

The RCMP Act (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/R-10/) specifies code of conduct and in Part 5 gives the grounds for dismissal.

[HiThere]

Thank you for the link, Skidmark. I will read the act and, hopefully, will have a better picture of the reality

[Parnelli_001]

hithere, what i have seen happen especially to the rooks, probably me soon enough, when they are behind on paperwork, they are actually pulled off almost all general duty while on a shift and have tough MUST DO dates set by the Sgt. they would of course be allowed to attend back up and calls when other members are all busy, but couldnt do as many patrols as they had been.
-oh and Skidmark, how about when you were down in the Okanagan detachment, did you have more paperwork then you do now? our guys ALL have to stay late on days off to finish up reports, but mostly RTCC's. Maybe its just because we are seasonal- 3/4 of our calls are in the summer, and fall seems to be catch up time.

[HiThere]

Parnelli, since you seem to be fresh from the academy, would you be so kind and, while preserving your anonimity, tell us about what you were doing before joining RCMP, what made you want to become a cop, describe the application process, how hard it was, and describe your time at the Depot. What was easy, what made you work your posterior off, was it a competitive environment or was everyone trying to help each other. It would be much appreciated!

[skidmark]

I don't find that the paperwork demand has changed at all here. On traffic it depends mostly on what you find by yourself and the number of collisions you attend that drives the paperwork, particularly if you are involved in serious incidents. Analyst files used to take me a long time.

Take a tour of Depot in Regina (http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ctp/index_e.htm)

Recruiting Main Page (http://www.rcmp.ca/recruiting/index_e.htm)

[Parnelli_001]

Skidmark, thanks for the info, i wondered what happened with the traffic guys and paperwork.
hithere- just waiting to get into depot actually, sorry for any misinformation. just waiting for an exact date on which to move over to the cold town.
Before getting into the recruiting process with the RCMP i was a municiple peace officer... well still am. being in a small, seasonal town during the winter months i spend 3/4 of my time backing local Constables on calls, traffic duty, warrants, things like that.
I've always wanted to get into some kind of law enforcement since i was knee high to a grasshopper, tried with the MP's in CFB Gagetown, NB but realized quickly that it just wasnt for me.
So i got some security experience, then complimented that with becoming a peace officer trying to give myself as much life experience as possible to get through the recruiting process.
- i have many close friend who have just gone through depot, they say its mostly a very mature environment, everyone helps eachother to an extent,(senior recruits MUST in order to complete the course) but there is still major competition. The now "college" depot has compared to older times changed greatly. The new rookies have a hard time believing what most of their elders have gone through, but it still isnt easy to any extent. I have heard that since now you have to pay your way through depot just as you would college instead of them paying you while your their, its more like a college environment then it used to be.
Anyone looking to go through the app. process- be sure to put at least 8 months away just waiting for replies, scores, etc... and be sure you have confidence in your life experience, otherwise you wont get past the interview.
Please refer to Skidmarks links, there is a wealth of info there.

[HiThere]

Hello, Skidmark

A question about people who died a violent death

You have probably seen a few badly mangled and/or decomposed corpses. Does RCMP have special training to help the officers handle what they see? Is it much more difficult to see the corpse in person, than on a picture?

Thank you

[skidmark]

Yes, I have seen a few in my time. I find it harder to deal with in person than in pictures.

When I first started, it was more or less grin and bear it. Today we have critical incident stress debriefings and a full time psychologist who will sit down with you by appointment and help you cope.

As a collision analyst, we were entitled to one trip to the psychologist locally each year just for a mental health tune up.

[HiThere]

Skidmark, perhaps a sensetive question, so if you don't feel like answering, I understand

About a year (I think) ago there was an aboriginal RCMP officer shot and killed on duty in Manitoba(?). From what I remember, he was trying to drive away in his cruiser from the two attackers, and they chased him in their vehicle and killed him. I am wondering how come he was trying to get away from them, as opposed to standing his ground and shooting back? May he RIP

Thank you

[skidmark]

April 21: In his opening statement, Crown prosecutor Bob Morrison said Const. Strongquill and his partner pulled over a truck that had gone through a stop sign. As the officers approached the vehicle, they were shot at.

The Mounties ran back to their cruiser and fled, but the people in the truck chased them, the jury was told. It crashed into the police car, pinning Strongquill inside.

Laurie Bell yelled, "Kill him, kill him," and then Robert Sand shot Strongquill, who was trapped in the wreckage, four times with a sawed-off shotgun, Morrison told the trial. Morrison said Strongquill was "wildly twisting and thrashing about as he tried escape a fate that he could not avoid."

I can't offer an explanation for the circumstances.
Here is the link (http://www.winnipeg.cbc.ca/indepth/strongquill/) where these paragraphs originated and there may be more to read there.

[ScrubberManFSJ]

Well, I can tell you that to be an A/R in this province, they put you through a lot of "hoops" that you need to jump through in order to get in.

We had to write a resume, complete with cover letter as to why we would make a good A/R. Then we had an information session, then if they liked your resume, they invited you to a meeting that took over 1 hour. Lots of questions, (we had 2 interviewers) and you had to be totally honest. If you were honest in their opinion, you had to wait while they interviewed your family, friends past employers (going back 5 years) and if you passed the security check, you had yet another 1.5 hour interview that you have to pass. And if that went well, then you wait for your security clearance to come from Victoria (Vancouver?), and then you have 96 hours of classroom work, complete with Mid term and Final exam, (not part of 96 hours) then 40 hours "physical" training.

And We haven't even sat in the car yet!


But, I hope its worth it.

[Parnelli_001]

same with the summer student program i believe. i was surprised what they had to go through, even though they were just working through the summer and had to go back to school after. She told me in training it was much like the auxilary program where you go so far as being pepper sprayed, all the physical tests, etc... People dont give the respect the auxs. deserve usually. Scrubberman, i'll shoot you an email when i get back home... i have some friends that have want to be in the regular force.. but saw my 1.5 year wait, and all the hoops and they decided to go with the aux. if you wouldnt mind telling me how you found the training, quality of instruction, etc.. i'll forward it on. thanks.

[ScrubberManFSJ]

Not a problem Parnelli. We have an extremely small class, there is only 6 of us that made it this far out of 27 people. Most were knocked out due to resumes and driving abstacts. We also have a younger det here, so some have been aux's before they were Members and they have been a big help to us, just in the votes of confidence that we get from them. I can't give you trade secrets (lol, like I know any) but I can tell you what they must do, and some of the changes that the A/R program has changed in the last few years. Our class bonded really well, and that is something they MUST be prepared to do. It will help them immensley during class.


Keep in mind:


Aux's are three levels below the K9 Dog, so even they get to order us around. :laugh

[Parnelli_001]

Sure they might teach you that, but in real life as you probably know the officer your riding with will treat you like gold, your unpaid backup for him :laugh I was told a while back i could order aux's around to, but i knew they had much the same training, experience, etc.. So i treat them as i do my boss, when i need the backup they dont wait for orders, they know they can jump in and help. This method is great in the small towns :D
anyway send me an email, i'll be back to answer around saturday this week. rfulcher@cablerocket.com Merry Xmas everyone

[Fozzy]

Wow, what a great thread!

I am considering a career change and police work is something that I have been thinking about. Here is a question.
What are some of the differences between RCMP and say City/Municipal policing? City police would be more appealing to me only for the fact that I would not be posted somewhere else. Any input would be appreciated.

[HiThere]

Fozzy, I am thinking the same thing

As a city cop, you pretty much know what you'd do and where you'd work. With RCMP, you may end up patrolling a frozen wasteland, investigating multinational organized crime rings, or keeping peace abroad. You are also guaranteed to move every 5-7 years, while city cops stay put. Lots of unknowns, but some people like it, looking at how many of them apply to RCMP.

[skidmark]

I think that there are benefits to both, and you just have to decide what is important to you and go for it.

City forces are union, which can have financial advantages for you that we don't have.

The RCMP offers the variety that you won't get in a city force.

I've moved 3 times in 23 years and staffing's current thought is 8 years at any one location unless you are in a lesser desirable posting or a limited duration posting. (some postings you go into knowing that you will be there for 2 years maximum for example.)

[HiThere]

What about officers who work organized crime? Do they also get moved around?

Also, how does one become RCMP brass? Do you need to attend some courses and take an exam?

Thank you

[skidmark]

Everyone gets moved around eventually. Some more than others, but that is usually through their own choice.

Becoming a commissioned officer is difficult. There is the officer candidate program, exams and the requirement to be sponsored by another commissioned officer.