Confessions of a Former Bastardo Cop - NOT! The title may make for interesting, 'marketing' headlines, but the writer of an online viral article isn't a cop. In fact, since just before this year, I have been deeply involved with a very dear, respected Black American, former colleague and friend, to get a glimpse: What it would be like to be a Black American in America today; what life is like for a Black cop in modern-day America; what is the status of being a Black cop in today's society.
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After more than a year of studying and interviewing cops of all races and backgrounds, it is clear to me that being a Black cop has become, for many, a career choice; that their choice to become a cop comes from a desire to serve their communities and protect them; as well as, a personal sense of pride in being a 'real' cop and a desire to be respected by other police officers. Some want to pursue a teaching or medical career, while others are looking for a position as a police officer.
But before you think of becoming a police officer, there are a few things you must understand about law enforcement and law. You must understand the difference between a police officer, a policeman, a sheriff, a corrections officer, and a prison guard, as well as the roles each one plays. This can be overwhelming at first, but with a little bit of guidance, and some basic research, you should easily be able to understand these differences. And when it comes to law enforcement, you must also understand the laws in your state and in those jurisdictions that you will be working in.
If you're looking for a career change but have no prior law enforcement experience, I recommend you start by attending law enforcement boot camps. These camps offer the perfect opportunity to put to test your analytical skills, as well as the ability to work as a team with a group of other officers under a mentor.
A law enforcement career can be rewarding in many ways: you can be a part of helping to protect and serve your communities; and your fellow citizens; you can be a part of educating and training police officers and helping to better the society as a whole; you can be a part of training the next generation of officers to ensure the safety of your communities and of tomorrow. This is one profession in which you are going to be proud to keep for a very long time.
The decision to seek a career change in law enforcement is one that is difficult; but not impossible. Take a chance on it; it could change your life.