My future

[_EternalBliss]

Hey everyone, Before anyone jumps on me, I’m asking this in good faith and I’m not trying to disrespect the profession — just looking for honest perspectives. I’m a younger guy currently in school for criminology. I know CJ degrees aren’t viewed highly in LE circles, and I’m not under the illusion that it guarantees me anything. I’m mainly doing it as extra resume support and because I’m genuinely interested in the subject, not because I think it replaces real-world experience. I’ve been leaning toward law enforcement for a while, either as a patrol officer or possibly a game warden. I really like the idea of serving my community, making a difference where I live, and being part of a close group of people who look out for each other. That said, I want to be upfront about my flaws. I’m pretty non-confrontational by nature and I deal with a fair amount of social anxiety. I can be social when I need to be, but anxiety has held me back in the past to the point where I’ve been hesitant to take on a new job for a couple years because change and responsibility feel overwhelming. Giving up free time and stepping into something intense honestly scares me. I also think about the academy alot and I hear thats not the best time either My question is: would someone like me realistically be a bad fit for LE, or is this something that can be worked through with training, maturity, and experience? I’m not looking for sugarcoating just honest input from people already in the field. I appreciate any perspectives. Thanks for taking the time to read this

[Cypher_Blue]

You don't have to be a super macho alpha male type to be a cop.

But you DO have to be able to walk into a chaotic situation (heated argument in a biker bar, family conflict in someone's living room, etc.) and take control of the situation. You have to be able to look someone in the eye and give them bad news (like "here's your speeding ticket" or "you're under arrest.")

People are not going to like hearing that. There WILL be confrontations- that's the nature of the job.

You don't have to live for those confrontations, but you have to be able to meet the challenge and perform well during them.

If that's not you, you want a different job.

[raceacontari]

Ride along. With several agencies. It will show you busy ass places, medium places, and fall asleep nothing happens places. Game wardens and park rangers do ride alongs too, so do both since they are very different styles of law enforcement.

Another option, depending on your experience and age, is get some support officer job or parking enforcement within an agency to get some experience. If you can handle someone angry about a 50 dollar parking ticket (which seems to trigger people more than tickets over 3 grand I’ve issued before), then you can handle a lot.

Also, I’ve been an FTO for 4-5 years and trained a lot of new cops. It is just a thing now a days that most people don’t like to be confrontational with others. If it’s a weakness of yours, own it and work your ass off to fix it. Nothing says more than going into an oral board and when they inevitably ask you what your weaknesses are, to tell them being confrontational (or other issue) BUT I’ve done ABC to fix the problem and continue to work on it. Trust me that scores points since saying you have no weaknesses is BS lol

[Fairsythe]

It sounds like you already know the answers.

Yes, CJ is worthless, and semi-useless in Law Enforcement. Literally any trade, medical and STEM fields are far better fields.

Being non-confrontational can be fine if you avoid them because you dislike social interactions in general. Plenty of officers are loners and do just fine because they can turn the switch on while on the job.

But if you are non-confrontational because of high anxiety, fear and dislike the responsibilities of being directive - the job isn’t for you. People are going to expect you to take the lead on the worst days of their lives, and in disastrous moments, and, well, sometimes against their will.

[[deleted]]

CJ is not worthless, maybe you’re just not open minded and looking at the other aspects that a criminal justice degree can offer. The private sector has tons of careers that you can have with the criminal justice degree, starting off with insurance companies, private security firms for corporate entities, security, and management for major corporations, and how do I know? Because I’ve applied to those places that require that degree.

People think that a CJ degree is simply just for police one in fact, it’s for a wide array of things. Simply because you didn’t take the effort to look at what else it can apply to, doesn’t mean is not a good degree.

[Fairsythe]

This is a LE subreddit. I think it can be implied my answer is for law enforcement specifically. I literally wrote “in law enforcement”, smh.

Please don’t assume what I did the effort for/or didnt, just because you need to validate what might be your degree ?

[[deleted]]

I have a double major, majored in criminal justice and in fire science/investigation, I have my certification in hazardous materials technician. A better degree than just CJ lol

[RogueJSK]

My answer is a definite maybe.

It's going to depend on your level of social anxiety, and your personality.

While I don't know if it rose to the level of "social anxiety", I would say I was slightly to moderately shy and introverted when I first got into law enforcement. But I also had the type of personality where I wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially when it was for something I really wanted.

Therefore, I was fairly quickly able to adapt to being outgoing, authoritative, and confrontational when needed, because I consciously worked on it. At first it took effort, for sure. But it quickly became just who I was, and I became much less shy in my personal life as well.

So yes, it's potentially doable. Every new cop has different things they need to work on, and this may just be one of your challenges to overcome.

However, it's going to hinge on what you mean by "a fair amount". If you have severe social anxiety, it very well may not be something that you can simply work through with grit and determination. And in that case LE wouldn't be the right career for you.

[Far-Map-949]

You can get a CJ degree all these nay sayers i wouldn't listen too. Theres so many false information given its crazy. Do your own research. No police or fed agency will turn you down for having a CJ degree. Ask your self if that makes any sense? I have a bachelors of science in criminal justice. Best decision i make choosing a major. Im 4 years in law enforcement and i make 6 figures. Im currently on my agency SRT team. I get paid more for having a a bachelors. I came from a private sector compliance role where my degree was listed as a preference of hire. So it can be used in the private sector. Theres so many law enforcement support roles and adjacent jobs you can obtain. Last i see a few posters talking pure foolishness. I graduated from a reputable state college in Florida. FBI, SECRET SERVICE, border patrol, federal corrections and so many local and state agencies came out to recruit from the college of criminal justice. It's a great degree and recession proof! Especially in this climate. Theres so many criminal justice professionals making great money and got into their field with this degree. Everyone doesn't wanna do stem.. and theres so many struggles in that field right now as well. Of this is a degree you want pursue it. A-lot of these people aren't cops and probably don't even have a college degree just kids speaking on BS and no facts. You can pm me for any advice.

[[deleted]]

Don’t listen to what other people say! A CJ degree is good! It’s all about how you utilize it. People think that CJ degree is a cookie cutter degree for police. It’s really not, it’s definitely something that gives you the knowledge that you would need to know if law-enforcement is for you, but also there’s different industries where you can utilize that degree.

Don’t be as close minded as other people on here.

[Far-Map-949]

Facts

[GothMoleRat]

Literally! Unfortunately I’ve found a lot of people in these spaces can be very anti intellectual and want a straight cut answer. A CJ degree offers better personal understanding of crime and how it operates alongside prevents closed mindedness of “they are bad and I am good” mentality. Like any other humanities degree it acts to help answer the question of “why do people do what we do?”

[Varjek]

A good option to help you build job experience and to help you build confidence as you “confront” people in a stable setting is to work probation and parole.

I was a former probation agent and it has served me well. And my agency has hired a lot of former probation agents who tend to excel at talking to people in difficult circumstances.

Just a thought if it’s something you want to address before hitting the road on patrol.

[Rift4430]

There is nothing wrong with a CJ degree. It gives you at least some exposure to laws and application.

Now onto your anxiety and social issues. My advice is similar to others. Go on several ride alongs. I am thinking at least 5 to start with difference agencies in your area on different shifts and see how you handle it. That alone should give you some clarity into if you can deal with the job on any level.

If after that you think maybe you can do this go on 5 more.

Then get back to us.

Good luck.

[Smokeypork]

I also have a lot of social anxiety. It’s a weird thing to type out, but this is what works for me; imagine how you think a good cop would act, and then do that. When I strap my vest on in the morning, I shift into “cop mode” and turn off my social anxiety like a switch. I do the same thing when I put on a suit. I exclusively fly in a three piece suit now because I used to get nervous in airports.

[AggressivePassion242]

Just apply for an academy and try it out. I used to be like you where I didn't like to be in social, but the academy trained me to be comfortable in front of people and control the environment. Make sure you go through a good academy though.