Expert: Loren Stevens - 10/11/2010

Question
1.what do you like about your job?
2.what skills are required for this career?
3.how long did it take you to get where you
are in your career?
4.what is your biggest challenge you face at
your job?

Answer
Hello Peter,
You have several questions...I'll try to help with atleast some of them.
I liked the challenges of police work, as there are usually so many variables, that "routine" becomes a rarity. I liked the spontaneity of service demands, where the ups and downs of adrenaline keeps my interests piqued.
I enjoyed fighting for those, who could not, or would not, fend for themselves.
I liked the parameters of law, and the operational guidelines of policy and procedures. The "team-work' has an appeal, as does the synergy of first responders. There is nothing like the rush, of an emergency situation, and that you have options, on how best to proceed with duties.
The skills required are always evolving, as laws change, procedures change, and the variables change. There are several skills that are desirable, as are the levels of proficiency...e.g., firearms, chemical munitions, various first aid certs, defensive and pursuit driving, law, non verbal communications, martial arts, and defensive tactics, rules of evidence, laws of arrest observation&perception etc, et al.
The gap between what a rookie knows, and what a seasoned veteran knows can be quite expansive. Then, there are subdivisions, and subdivisions of subdivisions. There may be several different units all under the "Uniform Field Services Division"
Each one may have different skill sets, e.g., K-9, SWAT, Traffic enforcement etc.
The basic skills for hire, are usually, and generically: HS or GED diploma, physically able to do the minimum demands, vision and hearing ok, mental testing, no criminal history, drug use, alcohol abuse, poor driving history, stupid debt, and things along these lines. As you progress into veteran status, you will learn substantially more, and if promotion is of interest, supervision, labor law, management, administration etc are also areas to learn.
My career was 31 years in police service. Prior to that, 3 years in the Marines, including one year of combat.
Along the way, I picked up an AA degree, and a double major BS, and tons of post graduate work.
But, there is no specific template. There are several paths to choose from, on how to excel, and proceed with a career, and at varying paces of time and development.
The biggest challenge to the job will vary among different officers. For me, it was not getting so engrossed in the job, at the cost of other interests in one's life suffering. Police work can be like a mistress, or intoxicating, to the point that it leaves little time and energy left for other interests, and demands in a 'normal' life...
Well then, without this turning into a Gothic novel, I better stop here. Hope it is helpful to you.
Good Luck, Semper Fi,
loren