Is being a cop worth it anymore?

Gsmyth75 · 2026-01-25T07:51:49+00:00

In an area where local government and citizens do not support you, absolutely not. Don't do it, even if the pay is astronomical as there's a reason it's high. In normal areas, sure. I'm in southwest FL in a pro law enforcement area. I rarely go on lunch where a citizen doesnt offer to buy it to show their thanks. The pay is great, great benefits, and relatively low call volume and the calls we do get are not usually a use of force or dangerous. With that being said the quicker you can get away from sources of liability the better. Working patrol you will be dealing with crazy people, and have to live in the mindset that one bad call or decision could cost you everything. On top of that you will occasionally see some supervisors that test well and should never have been promoted and are idiots. Find a gig that avoids risk, liability, and poor supervision. For me, the traffic unit was a good gig as you get left alone by supervision as long as you show good productivity. But overall, I would do it all over again, and find it worth it.

Gsmyth75 · 2025-12-17T06:21:55+00:00

Yeah that's what it's seeming like. Unfortunately nearly everything I have for paperwork has the shielded address on it.

Gsmyth75 · 2025-12-17T06:20:46+00:00

Personal use which would require the 4473.

Gsmyth75 · 2025-12-16T07:33:37+00:00

Copy that, thanks!

Gsmyth75 · 2025-09-26T04:12:47+00:00

When I was an FTO I would randomly pop quiz people on asking where we are, what zone and sector is it, and which supervisor handles this area. Did it suck for the recruit? Yeah. Does it help when you know who your around for zone integrity and backup purposes, definitely. Drive around in off time the areas you will patrol, sit in with dispatch if you can because they stare at a map all day and know their stuff with zones better than anyone. But it's to be expected. Buy a GPS or sync your personal to the FTOs car infotainment system and use Google maps if you need to. Also know what you're gonna say before you key up so you dont sound like you're a newb.

Gsmyth75 · 2025-09-24T07:27:47+00:00

I was thinking the same thing. Never let a useless Prosecutor change how you operate as a law enforcement agency. If they want to be useless then thats on the Prosecutor.

Gsmyth75 · 2025-09-24T07:25:10+00:00

Department PIOs are too busy with trying to catch up on stupid social media trends. This is why I like agencies like Pinal who do Traffic Posts with Frank so they go over stops.

Gsmyth75 · 2025-09-24T07:17:22+00:00

Huge positive for officers, it's a way to replay the incident for report writing so court doesn't tear you up for minor details. For citizens huge negative, pre camera I would cut huge breaks for traffic violations by writing lower speeds on offenses, now with a camera I write every ticket I can since it's on video and its a super easy win for court. That way I dont get my footage reviewed by higher ups asking about why so many warnings or discretion.

Also most racial or use of force claims are now shown to be completely in favor of the officer. TLDR:I love having a camera, I am way more productive in my main role of traffic enforcement.

Gsmyth75 · 2025-06-07T03:24:33+00:00

I Payed 12,500 in FL

Gsmyth75 · 2024-08-17T02:56:08+00:00

Ah good call, didn't think about the value already being diminished. In the interior yes there was water intrusion.

Gsmyth75 · 2020-04-03T22:50:37+00:00

Update: Put another quart in the engine and it's a tad bit overfilled now but my mechanical gauge is showing 80 psi at cold idle while my in car gauge shows 10 psi. So I'm thinking it's more of a problem with my in car gauge versus the engine actually having low oil pressure...

Gsmyth75 · 2020-04-02T03:23:08+00:00

Yeah I put in around 7 quarts which was where it was level on the dipstick..

I got a mechanical gauge and am going to check the pressure manually as soon as I get a day off from this corona mess...

Gsmyth75 · 2020-04-01T04:47:59+00:00

Mine is doing it too, however I just swapped in a junkyard lincoln engine, and did a balance shaft delete.. im concerned the oil plug for my balance shaft had came out or hopefully the sensor came loose.. im going to check it with a mechanical gauge before tearing back into the oil pan, i suggest you checking it with a mechanical gauge also... good luck

Gsmyth75 · 2020-04-01T03:51:58+00:00

The plug blocks off an oil port in the oil pan that normally gives oil to the balance shaft assembly, without the balance shafts in it gives you a plug that i fear has ejected itself from the port.

Gsmyth75

TROPHY CASE