Should I become a police officer?

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punisherthunder

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Greetings all,

I’ve been thinking lately about becoming a police officer. Although I cannot think of legitimate reasons about becoming one, I feel as if this is what God wants me to do. Yet, sometimes I wonder is being a police officer a good career choice for a Catholic? What if I have to kill someone? Miss Mass because I’m working a shift? Anyone else here a cop or know where I’m coming from on this? How do you deal? Thanks.
 
Peace be with you!

I’m not a cop yet, but I’ve done the cadet program and now I’m waiting to finish up the rest of my school before I go into the force (I’ll probably be applying within the next year). I understand your concerns…I’ve had them as well. Especially lately I’ve been thinking that perhaps God wants me to become an apologist or do some sort of ministry work (not as a priest, though). I think that’s probably because I have been out of the cadet program for a while and haven’t gone on any ride-alongs for a long time either.

But just this morning I was riding the light-rail (a public transportation train in my city) to school and there were these people sitting next to me talking about all the crimes they’d committed…just talking loudly about it in front of everyone. They sounded proud of it. One guy said he would have shot someone once if he had to (while he was selling guns for some Russians and Iraqis) and how someone who robbed him now has to “walk with a cane the rest of his life”. I was so furious listening to them just knowing that there are people like that in the world and wanted to go after everyone like them. Then as I was walking to class after I got off the bus (I ride the train and then the bus) I thought that God put me on the train in the same part of it at the same time as these people because He wants me to become a police officer and go after these kind of people and arrest them and get them off the streets.

And there’s nothing in Church Law or even tradition that would stop you from being a cop…St. Michael himself is the patron saint of police officers. But as far as the possibility of shooting someone…well, that’s just a risk you have to take. None of the officers I know (save one) have ever had to even fire their guns. And the one that has has never killed anyone (I don’t think he’s shot at someone since becoming a cop; this was when he was a security guard). Not to say it won’t happen, but while it would be terrible to have to kill someone (and I hope to God I never have to), it wouldn’t be a sin because you would only do it in defense of your life or someone else’s.
Hope this helps.

In Christ,
Rand

p.s. There’s a man in my parish that has been a police officer for many years and he’s a great guy. He’s very involved with our parish too–he sometimes is the lector at mass.
 
Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God”.

IF you become a police officer, become the best one that you can, be fair, be honest. I see cops at mass all the time. It makes me feel more secure and I say a little prayer for their safety.

We need defenders of our safety and defenders of our freedom. Just don’t forget to duck if you have to, and IF the occasion comes when you have to fire, don’t hestitate because it could cost you your life or the life of an innocent bystander.

It takes a brave and courageous person to be a cop or soldier. For the people who have what it takes to get the job done, they have my support always… except for when they catch me speeding or overdue at a pakring meter 🙂

:blessyou:
 
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punisherthunder:
Greetings all,

I’ve been thinking lately about becoming a police officer. Although I cannot think of legitimate reasons about becoming one, I feel as if this is what God wants me to do. Yet, sometimes I wonder is being a police officer a good career choice for a Catholic? What if I have to kill someone? Miss Mass because I’m working a shift? Anyone else here a cop or know where I’m coming from on this? How do you deal? Thanks.
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To be a cop is an awesome calling because you would be working for justice. Although it can be a dangerous line of work, most of the time it would not involve shooting crooks. You could be doing other things such as writing citations, taking reports, investigating spouse/children/animal abuse, directing traffic at crash sites, etc.
I do not know your age, but if you are married or plan to be you must consider the danger element. Do you want the increased possibility of leaving a widow and children without a father? How do your parents feel about this? These are all things to consider. As far as missing mass, there are masses on Saturday and Sundays. If you have to work both days you can get a dispensation from your priest.
 
I am police officer and have been for about 7 years. I’m now finally going back to college to get an education and maybe go into teaching. I was a cop for 5 years before I got married and if you are married you definatley need to make sure your spouse is ok with weird hours , call in 's in the middle of the night, extra duty on the spur of the moment, and sometimes you may not get off work when you’re suppossed to so you miss diner and the kids.

Those things changed my outlook on life ,While I love my carrer as a Police Officer. I hate not seeing my kids do things at school or missing birthdays and Christmas and thanksgiving . And I’ m tired of dealing with the saem people on the street with the same problem everytime, every few days with the same problem.I miss Mass a lot because of work which is not good for me personally, I need Mass! So iplan on going to school getting a degree and teaching maybe religion or historyand make a difference that way. In police work you will also see many things you won’t like. Things tha will turn your stomach, but you learn to live with it ! and you keep on keeping on cause you know that one day things will be better.

In the end it is up to you if you want to become a Police Officer. But I would sugest some strong prayer on the subj and ask God to lead you. And please if you do become a Police Officer dont forget God , as I have seen many Police Officers do.
 
Here’s some links from the Catechism that might help:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c2.htm
scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c2a1.htm
scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c2a2.htm
scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c2a3.htm
scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm#III

And here’s a link to the entire Catechism:
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

Please read the above links and pray to know your vocation. This is obviouslly something you don’t jump right in to so take your time and make sure that this is the vocation God has chosen for you. I recommend praying to our Blessed Mother to help you discern your vocation.

God Bless.
 
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punisherthunder:
Greetings all,

I’ve been thinking lately about becoming a police officer. Although I cannot think of legitimate reasons about becoming one, I feel as if this is what God wants me to do. Yet, sometimes I wonder is being a police officer a good career choice for a Catholic? What if I have to kill someone? Miss Mass because I’m working a shift? Anyone else here a cop or know where I’m coming from on this? How do you deal? Thanks.
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With that kind of screen name, I’m not so sure you should be armed.:rolleyes:
 
Celtic Son:
In the end it is up to you if you want to become a Police Officer. But I would sugest some strong prayer on the subj and ask God to lead you. And please if you do become a Police Officer dont forget God , as I have seen many Police Officers do.
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Celtic Son is VERY VERY wise. i was a volunteer police officer, and a paid paramedic all through my masters program. ive been in EMS since i was 16, cause in new jersey where i spent 5 years, a 16 yr old can get their EMT. after i graduated high school, i took 18 months to get an AA for my paramedic, and then 6 more months to finish the law enforcement. 2 more years for a BS in biosciences, and then a break, and then 2 years for my masters in pharmacology.

after i got my MS, i went fulltime as a cop and paramedic.

i completely lost my faith while doing the police and paramedic thing before my masters. it wasnt until i was working a medic shift, and a supposed patient of ours drew out a .32 on me, and i had NO VEST on, did i start thinking about God again. and here i am, still trying to sort things out, and having much trouble doing it.

you will see things that are just UNIMAGINABLE. they will haunt you for many, many nights. i really have more experience overall with EMS/paramedic, but the time ive worked as a cop has been nooooo picinic.

on the lighter side, IT IS SO MUCH FUN. wait until you get in good with a group of guys that steal your cruiser, and park it 3 blocks away. wait until you steal a paramedic’s ambulance or a fire truck while the numbskulls are dozing off!!! if you are a local cop, state troopers are the BEST to make fun of. they are so uptight that there is untold ways to have fun with them. some of the people you meet out there and just simply the best, and the funniest you will ever meet. get a good old grumpy man or woman that tell it like it is, and oh boy, you will have loads of quotes to recall!!! the transexuals are also a riot too.

just remember, if you leave your cruiser running, someone eventually will steal it. someone will put shaving cream inside your bulletproof vest. a firefighter/medic WILL put a sign on your cruiser questioning your sexuality. you most likely will have someone put an anti-theft device on your running cruiser.

hey, but payback it always, always fun, and keeps the job bearable.
 
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BioCatholic:
Celtic Son is VERY VERY wise. i was a volunteer police officer, and a paid paramedic all through my masters program. ive been in EMS since i was 16, cause in new jersey where i spent 5 years, a 16 yr old can get their EMT. after i graduated high school, i took 18 months to get an AA for my paramedic, and then 6 more months to finish the law enforcement. 2 more years for a BS in biosciences, and then a break, and then 2 years for my masters in pharmacology.

after i got my MS, i went fulltime as a cop and paramedic.

i completely lost my faith while doing the police and paramedic thing before my masters. it wasnt until i was working a medic shift, and a supposed patient of ours drew out a .32 on me, and i had NO VEST on, did i start thinking about God again. and here i am, still trying to sort things out, and having much trouble doing it.

you will see things that are just UNIMAGINABLE. they will haunt you for many, many nights. i really have more experience overall with EMS/paramedic, but the time ive worked as a cop has been nooooo picinic.

on the lighter side, IT IS SO MUCH FUN. wait until you get in good with a group of guys that steal your cruiser, and park it 3 blocks away. wait until you steal a paramedic’s ambulance or a fire truck while the numbskulls are dozing off!!! if you are a local cop, state troopers are the BEST to make fun of. they are so uptight that there is untold ways to have fun with them. some of the people you meet out there and just simply the best, and the funniest you will ever meet. get a good old grumpy man or woman that tell it like it is, and oh boy, you will have loads of quotes to recall!!! the transexuals are also a riot too.

just remember, if you leave your cruiser running, someone eventually will steal it. someone will put shaving cream inside your bulletproof vest. a firefighter/medic WILL put a sign on your cruiser questioning your sexuality. you most likely will have someone put an anti-theft device on your running cruiser.

hey, but payback it always, always fun, and keeps the job bearable.
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erm…

??

Are you sure that wasnt when you had forgotten about God??

I cant imagine St Francis pulling a fast one on firefighters who, so exhausted from their job, wake to find their truck gone just when someone is in desperate need of their help.

Lord Have Mercy On My Soul

In Christ.

Andre.
 
I am speaking as an ex-cop.

It is definitely a calling, and if you feel called, there is probably nothing in the world that will fully explain it. I remember feeling the same way, and then having to somehow articulate it to a very severe, yet saintly uncle of mine.

If you have to take someone’s life, you are not doing so in cold blood, but rather, in defense of yourself or others. Your mind is always working, weighing the risks, and if you are trained properly, your training will take over when the stuff hits the fan. Someone’s life may depend on your actions and reactions.

It is a very heavy responsibility, but also very rewarding.

I did not find it to be so, but ironically in my career path I have come nearly full circle and although I am no longer law enforcement, I am in investigation and I LOVE it!

But I would nto be here if it weren’t for my street experience.

Maybe God is calling you to a temporary experience, or maybe he is calling you to a full time career for life. In any case, pray about it. You will be a much better cop if you remember God in every instance.
 
My husband is a PO. He rarely misses Mass because of his hours. In fact he goes on meal if he has to.My DH had many of the concerns you have about taking a life. We talked it over with or priest and decided that my dh would never intentionally , wrongly take a life. He made sure he put everything he could into whatever training he was offered to insure that as well. The tough part is missing family and school events, sleeping when the kids are up. PO’s have to be careful about detatching from their families. You don’t say whether you have one yet. It is something to be on the alert for. Something to get help with right away . Another downside is mandatory OT. You have to be on guard about your attitude about life. Don’t let the job and all its negativity bring you down. Having a strong faith and prayer life will help with that.

In most places, the benefits are really good. Health insurance, life insurance, vacation time,holiday time, over time, uniform allowance and 20 year retirement. Also , if you work with a good crew you can usually trade days off and make those special events.

It can be a very rewarding career. In general , in most places the public does still respect and trust the police and they are often very grateful for the help you’ll give them. Unfortunately you have to be a bad guy sometimes and tell them what they don’t want to hear or give tickets etc. Sometimes they’ll be good about that sometimes they won’t.

Unfortunately in this world you may have to be careful about being a Catholic . A lot of people are very defensive about Catholics. But It’s like that on most jobs. If you are respectful you will find you will be able to handle it. My DH feels he makes a difference as a Catholic Police Officer . But he has also been unjustly persecuted because of it. Which is a blessing when you get through it .

You are right to carefully consider and pray about this decision. I’ll pray for you as well.
 
If you read the 13th chapter of Romans, you’ll discover that police officers (among others) are actually ministers of God. If you feel called to that ministry, go for it, and promise that you’ll be the best cop and the best Catholic that you can be.

DaveBj
 
Celtic Son:
I am police officer and have been for about 7 years. I’m now finally going back to college to get an education and maybe go into teaching.
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Ironic,
I was a police officer for 12 years (my Dad was a captain), then retired due to diasbility, went to college and became a high school teacher.
Things are different now in some ways, but some things are always the same. The bad guys are still the bad guys.
Being an officer, for me, in patrol, was the best job in the world. I can only say that IF you have the temperment for it, there’s no other job you should have. One big tip: If you have a temper, don’t bother. It’ll get you killed.
Come to grips with taking a life. It might happen. I came within about 1/2 pound of trigger pressure once, and would’ve had no regrets. All the pieces were in place.
It’s funny, but teaching carried ten times the stress and pressure than working the streets. I could write a book, but suffice it to say that without MS, I’d still be in a prowler car, 30 years later.
 
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