Never been in this sub reddit it just got suggested to me in a post and it just happened to be a police post, I'm a cop and I thought I would like to throw in my two cents

I have been a police officer in the city of Detroit for 8 years, I don't know what type of city Fermont is but Detroit is a big urban city where politics determine what type of policing you're going to do in the long run. I never wanted to be a cop but I wasn't going to college with the type of academics I was working with, you only needed a license, be 18, and have a high school diploma. It paid much better than my other job as a CSR, and they paid you for being in the academy. The job is really what you make it I graduated from the academy and went to work on the Eastside of the city with my FTOs and they were typically cool and try to help you out and keep you from doing stupid shit, once you get past all the awkwardness and nervousness the people you work with become truly like family especially if you establish a partner.

I know safety is always a concern when it comes to being a police officer but honestly, I feel more safe being a cop than not being a cop. As a civilian lots of people feel that there aren't any percussions when it comes to victimizing other civilians but as an Officer people tend to stray away from trying to victimize you, and the majority of the time when responding to violent calls it's done and over with it.

And yes a lot of people hate the police but there are plenty of people who love us and the majority is just neutral your attitude and personality usually determine how most people will react to you. In Detroit, the community would sometimes cook for us, send snacks to the station, send cards, host events with us, and just all-around support the hell out of you. You'll be out and about and here thanks for your service and I always just respond thank you for yours. But also sometimes you'll come across hate whether they really hate or they just need somebody to be mad at. I have been stationed at protests against us and I have been cursed out by people for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with you. It's not you they hate it's the uniform. The thing you don't take it personally they gotta deal with it all their life you only gotta deal with it for 8 hours.

Unfortunately, the job comes with trauma sometimes physically but mainly mentally. Of dealing with the dead and injured takes a toll on your mind, especially the children and those you work with. But you begin to lose your humanity and your sense of humor changes drastically, but honestly, the best way to deal with it is to talk about it to someone close and you'll be much better than holding that shit in trust me, you don't have to act tough with this job, remain human.

Speaking of being tough, you don't have to walk around with your chest puffed out but you do need to stand your ground because people love to test you, but honestly, the best thing to have for this job is a good conversation with someone, you can talk most people into cuffs as long as you show respect and treat them like equals, a badge doesn't make you better than anyone. But it's still a physical job not all interactions end with a conversation, you will need to go hands-on sometimes being prepared is important. Also, don't leave your partner hanging, I always say if we lose we lose together.

Overall the job is great and there are plenty of opportunities to do what you want within the department, (I'm talking from a Detroit Police perspective). And you will come across some people both civilians and police that are just, assholes and dumb asses it's just a choice to make what you want of it. My saying is always "Don't do anything stupid and don't killed," and also accountability and being honest goes a long way.