<p>Is there anybody out there who might happen to understand why I would not want my daughter to be a cop?</p>
<p>FWIW, I have a friend whose D graduated with high honors from Grinnell. After cashing out of a fabulous computer job she now has her dream job as a cop. It happens!</p>
<p>Yes, we understand why you wouldn’t want her to become a cop. But let me tell you this, if she decides to become a cop and get a job out here where I live, she’ll make a small fortune and be able to retire after 20 years with a great pension and lifelong medical insurance. It’s not a bad idea as long as she’s not a cop in a dangerous city.</p>
<p>Agreed! A career in public service can be very rewarding. There are many, many opportunities for women in the police force. A good friend of mine recently retired as a PIO from a good size police force. She has raised 2 beautiful girls and is now able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labor.</p>
<p>Understandable a parent may not want his/own child to become a cop. It is a dangerous job. Otherwise, I see no problem. A police career is honorable and can also open doors in other fields. Many ex cops in politics, consulting, social work, law, so it is not a permanent choice.</p>
<p>Can you steer her to the FBI or Treasury Dep’t?</p>
<p>I understand. And you should still be very, very proud of her.</p>
<p>I think if she’s looking for excitement, she should ride a rollercoaster.</p>
<p>sonssecty, I understand completely, and would have the same qualms if either S decided to choose this career, let alone a D. </p>
<p>However, I have a female cousin who has been a LAPD cop for several years. It can be dangerous, of course, but when I talked to her about the kinds of things she has done, she talked about community outreach, being in charge of beach patrol, organizing access to counseling services for other officers. So it’s not all dangerous, and certainly in a smaller city would be less so.</p>
<p>The important thing is that she has chosen to do something, so she will pursue it with enthusiasm and be successful. Has she thoroughly reseached the job and talked to current officers so she’s fully aware of what she’s getting into? Getting through training can be rough.</p>
<p>FBI is a good suggestion. Also DEA or secret service!</p>
<p>I’ve been suggesting ideas for majors for our daughter (HS Junior) and I’d love a science/engineering choice but I don’t know if she can handle some of the courses. The CC that she’s attending now has an associates degree in computer forensics major that she said sounded interesting.</p>
<p>The public sector isn’t looking that bad with 401Ks and pensions languishing.</p>
<p>
I don’t understand. Good for her, you should be proud. You have raised a bright young woman who has decided to be part of an honorable profession.<br>
What are your objections?</p>
<p>I don’t think I would want my daughter to be a city police officer. But the suburban police around here seem to be in a good situation. What about the state police?</p>
<p>God love you both, sonssecty. My daughter is planning on joining the USCG out of high school. Great, my beautiful girl facing down drug dealers in Miami, drunken boaters on the Chesapeake, and Heaven knows what else Heaven knows where! </p>
<p>I’m torn between pride in her courage and her feeling that this nation has given her so much that she wants to give her service back, and absolute terror. I’m thrilled that all my blather about women’s choices and careers has obviously sunk in, and I’m longing to lock her in a room until she gives up the idea. So yes, I can see why you’re not 100% behind her decision. But I’m sure you’ll support her when she makes her decision and I will add my hopes that she will always be safe and wise.</p>
<p>Stanford has a huge sign up this week advertising for jobs available with the Stanford police department…I think they handle lots of bike thefts and drunk freshman.</p>
<p>S2 is a college freshman planning to major in Criminal Justice. I’m putting off worrying about him because S1, college senior, will be commisioning into the military in May. I can only worry about one at the time.</p>
<p>Our suburban town police dept. has several women officers. I agree that it might be more scary for a young woman in a big city. Who knows?? She could be the next Brenda Lee Johnson (please tell me somebody else watches The Closer besides me).</p>
<p>As Tango said, it’s great that she has chosen something that she wants to do. I’m assuming she isn’t the type of person who changes her mind often, so having decided on a future career is really great and commendable.</p>
<p>Has she said why she want to be a police officer? Does the decision seem out of character for any reason? Is it well-thought out? Does she have an accurate view of a police officer’s job on a daily basis?</p>
<p>I can feel your pain. I’m a nervous nelly about dangers so I would feel like you do. But at the same time, some of the greatest things my D has done make me tense. </p>
<p>I was just saying to someone hte other day, I would have loved to have been a detective, but you have to be a regular cop first and that would have been hard for me. But as you move up in rank, it could be oh so exciting! Maybe she could even put her science to use and be CSI-like at some point!</p>
<p>A friend of mine is an FBI agent. He has a science BA, which is how he learned about the FBI, since they look for people to do lab work. In order to be in the labs, you had to first be an agent, and before applying to be an agent you have to be out in the real world for a couple of years. At least, that’s the way it used to be, could be different now. Friend never made it to the labs though, since he enjoys the fieldwork too much. He’s had some amazing experiences. His parents are alternately proud and worried, so OP that doesn’t help you much.</p>
<p>I went to a party for my Ex a few weeks ago. Her BIL (who I know very well from the years I was married to Ex) is now retired. He was talking about his recent trip to Alaska (we’re all from Texas).</p>
<p>He retired last year as a municipal policeman at age (approx.) 60. Full pension and benefits AND he now is an independent contractor to companies on security issues. AND he does paid speaking engagements on security topics which was how he and his wife got the trip to Alaska. </p>
<p>Nearly 20 years ago when I was married to my Ex, I’d go on night patrol with him. Believe me, it is a stimulating and fascinating job.</p>