What to Know About Joining the Police Department

First and foremost, to become a police officer, it is often said a sense of helping others would be required. A sense of right and wrong also helps. But some people think it's easy; they think it's like the film Police Academy, but it couldn't be more different. This line of work is high stress, high risk and can sometimes be fatal. But, when you take someone dangerous off the street, it's incredibly rewarding.

Ironically enough, these officers are with the Cincinnati Police Department. The bridge in the back ground is known as the Roebling Bridge, or to locals, the Suspension Bridge. It leads to the Kentucky city of Covington

Half of police involved in shootings suffer from PTSD

-Like members of the military, police can suffer from PTSD after traumatic events, such as having to shoot someone, seeing something horrific at a crime scene, etc.

Police officers have vastly different opinions on the gun laws

-Not surprisingly, police officers are usually armed to protect themselves. But even police officers have opinions on the gun laws. Some officers are completely in favor of concealed carry licenses while other officers are strongly opposed to it

Firing a weapon is not out of the question

-Being a police officer, you will have to use your weapon to protect yourself, even if that means taking the life of someone who means you harm. But, as investigations proceed, it sometimes turns out that that was the other person's intention-suicide by cop. Despite what you hear in the news anymore, a lot of police officers go almost their entire career without discharging their weapon, let alone taking a life

There is a specifically high rate of alcoholism among police

-If you think, for one second, your job is stressful and requires a stiff drink at the end of the week, think about the high level of stress police officers are under. They see things they shouldn't see, they go to places they shouldn't. Various studies have shown that alcoholism can affect 1 in 4, which equals to 25%, of all police officers. The situation certainly is not helped by drinking in social situations because of the stress of their jobs

There is a strong connection between poor health and police work

-Sure, cops love donuts. It's a stereotype that can sometimes poke fun at police. But in all total seriousness, poor health and being a police officer go hand in hand. Because of the random sets of hours they work, they have to eat when they can, sometimes on the run. And because of this, they develop bad eating habits, leading to poor health, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes

They often use outdated equipment

-You would think that being a police officer, you'd get updated equipment. That's not true; a lot of police departments don't always get the newest, shiniest equipment out there because of funding. If a department does not have a lot of funding, they will stretch their equipment to their maximum amount of use. A lot of police departments depend on government funding to help them get new equipment and if that government is strapped for cash, there's a high chance the local police aren't getting new cars, new guns, new Kevlar vests and more

Police academy training is demanding

-It should be demanding; it's teaching you skills that will save your life and other's lives. The police academy is tough both physically and mentally. You must be able to have the physicality to get you through as well as the mentality to help you through. You must be physically able to chase down a suspect as well has have good mental health to help you through the times that make you want to quit.

Field training is difficult, near impossible

-Police academy training is one thing, but field training is another. Out in the field, you do what are called "ride alongs". You ride in the passenger side of a patrol car or shadow another police officer and learn how they do their job. This helps you to develop a style of policing that will be both effective and unique to you. Field training can prove difficult, even impossible because you have to take EVERYTHING you learned in the academy and apply it to real life and you're being constantly scrutinized by veteran officers

Long and irregular hours

-It's said that being a police officer, you will work crazy hours. You might be working the lonely graveyard shift one week, dayshift another and so on. This is because police officers are needed at all times. There could be times when you work 12 hours one day and have the next day off.

Thorough background check

-Becoming a police officer involves a thorough background check. The rule of thumb here is if you have anything to hide, the police world is not for you. You better believe in a New York minute that if you're thinking about becoming a police officer, they will do a thorough background check on you, which includes investigating any misdemeanors, felonies, past drug use, credit checks, etc.

Long hiring process

-If you think, for one second, becoming a police officer is a piece of cake, think again. The process of hiring a police officer is long and tedious. It can take more than a year to become a police officer. Potential officers are scrutinized through a lengthy training process and intense background check. And some departments even require previous experience from other law enforcement-type jobs before becoming an officer. If all is good and everything comes through clear and positive, you're on your way to becoming an officer

Excuses, excuses

-Whether you are actually breaking the law or some other reason, everyone has been pulled over at one point or another. Every driver has an excuse of one thing or another. Police have heard every excuse in the book and sometimes, if they are lucky, they get to hear new excuses. So the next time the blue and red or blue lights appear in your rearview mirror, just be honest or keep the talking to a minimum and move it on out

Higher education is not necessary

-While it does sound nice and certainly helps, it's not necessary to becoming a police officer. The reason for no requirement on higher education is because potential officers go through academy and field training.

Not so great $$$

-This is not one of those high paying, Fortune 500-level paycheck jobs. The pay isn't great, but for a lot of officers and even detectives, the reward of giving someone closure on a murder case or taking someone dangerous off the streets often is better than the pay. Police work is often said to have a poor work-life balance

Police officers are only drug tested during the hiring process

-There is a sad but true statistic about police officers and struggles with drug addiction. Some officers are able to struggle from drug addiction and hide it well from their fellow officers and even their lieutenants and captains. The reason? Many police departments only do drug testing during the initial hiring process. Like alcohol, drugs can quickly become the other major coping mechanism for the nasty sights and horrors seen by officers

It's all about politics

-To give you a sense of this meaning, watch the television show Blue Bloods and notice how there are always politics involved. In addition to trying to do their jobs by keeping the streets safe, police have to deal with politicians, local police watchdog groups, civil rights groups and the public. It feels as though every move they make is under constant scrutiny and this can lead to frustration and lack of trust. It's all because of politics on the job

High level of scrutiny

-Every time you hear about a shooting on the news, what is the first thing you hear about nowadays? Body cam footage! Police are under constant scrutiny because even the littlest mistake will be reported to their superiors. Like politicians, police are the second most scrutinized job in the world. Some decisions are not fair, but police still take heat for it. It's almost superhuman how police officers can take so much crap from people but still manage to do their jobs

9 Annoying Things Friends Say When Returning from Travelling

We all have friends who brag about all the amazing things they did on their time away. Or they brag about how they met all sorts of interesting people, the amount of booze they drank or whatnot. Here are 9 annoying things friends may say when returning.

1.) You haven't had coffee until you've drank it here!

-It's pretty much a known fact that each country brews coffee differently. It may not have been grown in the volcanic soils of Hawaii or passed through the digestive system of an Indonesian cat, but coffee is coffee none the less

2.) "That place was way too touristy for me"

-For starters, you want to say to them "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WERE?!?!?!" Every country has those locations considered too "touristy" but people still go to see them. It's amazing the things that come out of people's mouths

3.) I had the craziest night at the Full Moon Party

-For one thing, a lot of countries have parties to celebrate things that are important to them. For example, in springtime in Japan, when the cherry blossoms bloom and fall, parties are held to view them because it is considered a beautiful occasion. (I would go and see them like the locals) No one really cares about the drunken nightclub war stories you have.

4.) You have to see [insert famous landmark] when the sun is coming up.

-This is so typical it's pathetic. Not everyone wants to go to the same places for the same reasons as you. Everyone has those places in the world they want to see for reasons personal to them. So if you keep irritating people about seeing this place when the sun is coming up, you're going to find something being shoved where the sun doesn't shine!

5.) Travelling really changes your personality

-Travelling is different for everyone. Some consider backpacking through Europe to see the historical sights an eye opening experience, especially if you've never been out of the country before. Some consider drinking the bar dry in Riviera Maya, Mexico a legend to behold. It's not like travelling changes everyone. If it's your first time, last time or just a vacation somewhere, it can certainly open your eyes and make an impact

6.) It was time to unplug

-Yes, we all know we're just dying to post those pics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other mindless drivel called social media. Funny, for someone who said they wanted to "unplug", those social media sites are seeing some high density from you...

7.) "That reminds me of this one time in Argentina..."
-When someone asks you if you've ever been to a place, it's okay to say yes and tell them about it. It's a completely new thing to shoehorn your travel experiences into a conversation that has nothing to do with it.

8.) You should be able to fit everything you own into a backpack

-First things first, consider where you are going. Some places are subject to radical changes in climate. You need to be prepared. A carry on and a suitcase should be sufficient. For example, if you plan on climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan during the spring and summer, you need to bring proper winter gear for climbing the mountain, such as winter clothes, winter coat, hat, gloves, VERY GOOD hiking shoes and proper summer and spring weather gear for when you come down. It's all down to knowing how the weather and climate is in the destination you're embarking to

9.) I'm glad I went when I did

-Here's a translation for this: "I had the best trip ever and you will never come close to that". Everyone has those one or two special destinations they want to see. They've been planning, saving and doing what they needed to prep themselves for that special day when they can embark. It does not reflect well on you when you basically brag about them not having as good a trip as you. Everyone travels to different places for different reasons. For some it's culture. For some it's religion. For some it's to see the sights. Do not take away the specialness of their dream destination(s) just because it doesn't compare to what you did. Not everyone aims to get completely London Blitzed on alcohol the whole time they are on vacation. Do not put someone down for wanting to go to a certain place in the world simply because you don't want to go there.

Day 6-Something You've Always Had a Problem With

This will be interesting
https://never3nding.tumblr.com/post/2660644142/tumblr-30-day-challenge

I've always had issues with self-confidence and self-esteem. Me and my sister have. Growing up with a set of parents like ours will do that. Me and my sister had unusual parents. What I mean is our biological father bullied us. He called us names, made fun of us, stole from us, did everything to his own kids that you are not supposed to do. He stole the small cross I got for my first communion and pawned it for cigarette money. He would steal the tip money and paycheck money my sister earned from her job in an ice cream shop for cigarettes. He would call my sister gorilla arms or orangutan arms because she had hair on her arms that would remind you of an ape. Because of that, she took to shaving her arms and had to hide it from our mother. She noticed and my sister was hesitant to tell her. She spilled the beans and our mom nearly killed our dad for that. She yelled at him something fierce. There's a lot he did and said to us that we were afraid to tell our mom. Mostly it was out of fear of retaliation or the simple fact he would yell at us and punish us, telling us "You two never keep anything secret!" or "What happens in this house stays in this house!" As for me, he would call me Billy Bass Lips, Jagger Mouth because I happen to have very full lips, like Mick Jagger. It used to make me so mad. When I was in college and he was home, he would sometimes offer to drive me to school. This was only after I said I was leaving to catch the bus and he said "Don't do that. I'll drive you." Every time he did this, I walked into class 10 minutes before it was due to start, instead of already being up there at least a half hour to an hour before it started. He made me almost late to class each time he "offered" to drive. This was because he was playing a video game and didn't want to stop. I had to keep nagging him just to get his response. The only reason we didn't move in with our mom and stepdad is we wanted to finish school. We didn't have to worry about leaving friends behind; we both had hardly any.

When we were younger, if we said we wanted to go into a certain field later on, our dad would tell us, something to the effect of "No matter how hard you work at it, it'll never happen." Or "It's useless having dreams because they never come true" or "You two are better off just working some 9-5 job just to earn money and pay bills, like NORMAL people do". When we were younger, my sister wanted to be a firefighter. She was obsessed with the movie Backdraft and she read anything and everything about the firefighting industry. I, however, wanted to go into medicine. So, essentially, we both wanted to be first responders of a sort. Our dad told us that both jobs would be dangerous and costly to go into. He told me that I was better off not doing that because I would be in school forever and then I would have to decide a specialty in nursing or medicine and even then I'd be debt until I'm dead. He told my sister that she better change her mind; firefighting is dangerous and life threatening. She knew this and didn't care; she loved the saving people and helping people aspect of it. Same goes with me and medicine. Suffice to say, you don't say this to your own kids when they already are planning their careers. Suffice to say, we are not in the first responder industry; we are both working jobs just to pay bills and having to take the simple joy in doing things like concerts or vacations. To be honest, I think our dad hated us. I think he thought of us as being an obstacle to whatever job he wanted to do.

As for our biological mother, she is opinionated to the point of brutality. She will be brutally honest with you and if it hurts your feelings, oh well, suck it up buttercup is what you will be told. She thinks that people need to be able to take the truth and not be a baby about it. Truth hurts is something she seems to live by. I have always had the feeling, and my sister shares this same feeling too, that our mom blames us for keeping her from going to medical school to become a nurse.

The British Knight by Louise Bay

If you know me like my parents do, I don't mind reading a romance story. But it has to have the right balance of suspense, mystery and a little adult time, lol. Not surprisingly, my sister and mom always laugh when they look at some of the romance novels on my Kindle or in my room. They always involve either some aspect or part of London, soccer, Australia, organized crime or Japan.

Sadly, the picture just had me drooling, lol. But, of course, the storyline sounded good and thank God it proved to be a good book! I do, however, have to wonder why is it that most of the romance stories I read involve some part of London or soccer? Maybe it has something to do with my hope of going there some day or maybe it has something to do with the fact that people in Britain were raised with manners and respect for others, which seems to have died out with the Black Plague years ago over on this side of the pond, lol!!

Summary
-Violet is a young woman with no desire to settle down and raise a family. She has a sister named Scarlett and a sister-in-law named Darcy, who lives in London. When Violet is offered the chance to work in London for three months at a London law firm, she could set land speed records with how fast she can pack. She's excited about going to her dream city, London, a city filled with black taxis, red phone boxes, red double deckers buses and more! For one thing, this distraction will be good for her, as it will distract her from the disaster of her breakup with her boyfriend. They both started an IT firm together, but after he broke up with her, he is about to gain millions from going live with the announcement of him taking it over. But, as she's heading to work one day on The Tube, where she says it's nothing but sexy as ever British men in suits, she stumbles and falls against an achingly hot British gent who is as gentlemanly as Mr. Darcy from the Jane Austen novels and as charming as James Bond. Dark thoughts about what she would like to do him start to fill her mind.

-Little does she know that this gentleman is her boss. She soon finds out that his devilishly handsome man, who makes her drool at the thought of him, is short tempered, moody and the most arrogant man she's ever met. Which means she's automatically attracted to him.

You're not gonna believe this!

There are true and false facts about college!! This definitely makes me feel a lot better about going back to school; it puts a little relief on my mind about it, eases my ever worrying mind, especially since my aunt last night called and all but discouraged me from going back. If you read this and find it shocking, don't be. My aunt's been like this for years; discouraging me and my sister from following our dreams!

1.
-American colleges are the best in the world.
Not true according to a study done by Jeff Selingo, who wrote a book about higher education. The U.S. only ranks about 14th in the world for education. Mainly because the cost is out of control and the quality of education is questionable. Also, more and more colleges anymore are taking up study abroad programs, which allow its students to travel to other countries, soaking up the local culture and attend college in those countries and learn like the locals do

2.
-You get what you pay for
He says there is really no difference in cost if you attend one college over another.  He says that some people would go to an expensive college thinking they'll get 5 star education when compared to someone who goes to a modestly priced college will get the same level of education

3.
Most students graduate in four years
-Fewer than 40% of students graduate in four years and 58% students graduate in 6 years. You're no better than a high school student, says Selingo

4.
-Majors determine your future
Most employers want employees who are quick to learn (ME) and have the ability to learn and love of learning (ME). These employers also want people who can find the answers to tomorrows' questions. Most fields the major matters.

5.
Community College is for losers
-It's said that students who come to a four year university after attending a community college graduate quickly. Because they're motivated to do well, tuitions are lower at community colleges.

My New and Improved 'Bucket List'

Sorry it's been a little while since I did any posts. Actually, I just did one on Julian Lennon. Recently, I've been thinking about going back to school. Just didn't know what for. Also, I was able to find a job. I work at a copy center for a law firm downtown called Vorys. And man o man, is this stuff boring! I was actually working for another law firm in Ohio called Reisenfeld & Associates; I was working in the shipping department for the mail room there. That job is awesome. The people are nice. But, since I'm a temp, I have to go where they send me. And now I'm stuck in this torturously boring job in downtown Cincinnati, and I can't leave this God forsakenly boring place until this woman at work, who's pregnant, goes on maternity leave and comes back. After that, I'll be hired on full time. Oh please let it be the other place. There's a lady who works there who has two cute lil kitties named Thelma and Louise. And oh brother, you'll laugh reading this. One of the ladies at work has 4 English bulldogs. And you'll never guess what she named them. They are all male, here it is: she named them Mick, Keith, Ringo, and George, lmao.

But, lately, I've come up with a new and improved 'bucket list'.

Find a job I love.
-This will soon happen. I've postponed it :D

Fall in love hopefully.
-Hopefully my 'Mr. Perfect' is nice. Also, it wouldn't be bad if he was cute, my age and English, lol!

Travel the World
-So many places, so little time, lol

Get a tattoo
-Still haven't decided on the design yet. I'm thinking about Asian symbols, a Geisha girl, a lotus flower with Japanese symbols in it, an Irish cross or a Day of the Dead skull

Get my first place
-IDK why, but I love those single floor ranch style homes, along with industrial lofts, love those for some odd reason. I also love lofts in general and those Mexican adobe houses; they're warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Plus, they're pretty

Meet someone famous
-Would love to do this. Would love to meet Paul Stanley from Kiss. He's my sort of celeb crush. He's still cute, and even cuter in the black spandex on stage

Learn a new language
-Besides learning Spanish, I'd like to learn some other languages. Definitely Russian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Italian

Go back to school
-I've finally decided what I want to go back to school for. Criminal Justice. I can't believe I was this thick headed and didn't think of that before. With all the law shows I watch lately, including Law and Order: UK, I should have taken that as a hint!!! Well, it's decided: I'm going back for that. And plus, working, in a way, for a law firm, only makes it better. Now only if I could get hired on at the other law firm I was working at, then it would be HEAVEN!!!

Study Abroad
-This would be cool to do

London. This is where I want to study abroad...

Get my first car
-I'm bound and determined to make my first car a VW Bug or Mini Cooper!!

Get my drivers license
-I'm well on my way to this. All I gotta do is get in some more practice and I'll be driving in no time!!!

Try something new and exotic
-IDK why, I'm really thinking about trying bungee jumping. It looks fun!

Go to a rock concert
-I'm still waiting on this one. Hope it happens...

AC/DC would be the dream concert for someone who listens to rock music as much as I do

Write a book
-This would be cool

Have a dream job
-Everyone has a dream job. Mine would be writing columns at Rolling Stone Magazine!

He is drop dead gorgeous!! God, I wish I were Gwen Stefani...

Be told I'm beautiful
-Some may think this is odd, but I would love for someone to tell me I'm beautiful and actually have some meaning behind it instead of doing it just to be nice!

Go bungee jumping
-This ties in with my 'go try something exotic' goal

Lose weight
-I'm trying to do this. I've lost 10 pounds. Just gotta keep exercising and get Just Dance 4. Then the pounds will really shed off when I'm dancing to Moves Like Jagger, lol!!

Travel to London
-Something I've been dreaming about since high school

Live somewhere exotic
-Everyone has those one or two places they call their second house. In the newspapers, they have international temperatures and weather. My stepdad says "how is it in my second home?" Meaning Tahiti. My other "homes" include London because the local culture is too interesting to pass up, Sydney, Australia because it's warm and sunny with really hot guys with even hotter accents or Tokyo because the culture is awesome!

Awwww, he's so cute!!!

Day 2: Things You Wish You Could Do

Things I wish I could do? Wow, that could mean anything. It's supposed to be 2, but there's a lot I really want to do to just choose 2

One thing I really wish I could do is study abroad. If I had the money, I'd go to either Australia, because it's warm and sunny, and when not in class, be down at Bondi Beach working on my tan, trying to clear the acne I'm trying to rid myself of, reading a book. London. People say it's cold and rainy, not really sure about the rainy part. Every time I see it, looks just fine. The fashion is kinda cool,  they wear pinstripe suits, at least the guys do, and they all look so handsome in their suits and ties, and the women all look so pretty in their suits and dresses. And when not in class, I'd be trying to catch a soccer game, hopefully the Arsenal Gunners would be playing, and if not them, maybe the Tottenham Hotspurs. I guess I somehow developed a love of English soccer from my stepdad. And who knows? I might see a British barrister in their white wig and robe walking down the street to the Old Bailey to go back to trial? Who knows what I'd see? I'd get excited at just being there in general!! If you read this and you're from England, you'll probably laugh at my excitement. I'm the kind of person who finds the biggest excitement in the smallest things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would say drive. But that's already in progress. Wish 1, almost done. Just gotta pass my test, which I feel confident that, after some major practice, I can pass. Maybe not first time, but pass none the less

IDK why, this picture kinda makes me laugh. I think it's a car from England called a Reliant K or something along those lines. They have 1 wheel in the front and tip over easily. They did an experiment with that on Top Gear once. Also, this kind of car is the one Mr. Bean keeps knocking over on the show

Get a really cool job. To be almost the envy of most people from high school. I'd love nothing more than to have any one of these jobs:
Video Game Designer. I'm hoping to go to school for this
Nurse. Maybe this? I've always been interested in medicine
Criminal Justice. With all the law shows I watch, like Law and Order: UK, Criminal Minds, The First 48, maybe it's a sign?

Go to a freakin' concert!! I'm dying to go see an actual concert. Preferably rock. And if I can have the money and maybe a car by the time either July or August rolls around, it might happen. Rush is supposed to be coming here on their 2013 Clockwork Angels tour, and I plan on seeing them live!! These photos below are pretty much all the peopel I would loooooooooooooove to see in concert!!


Rush

 

Alice Cooper. I have my sister to thank 4 this one!



Kiss

Kinda obvious here who it is...



Aerosmith



U2



My Biggest Wish?

Continuation of a tag post

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, you're kidding right?

I have so many wishes I'd love to come true it would make your head explode. Well, here goes nothing

To be beautiful; have someone say I'm beautiful and have some meaning behind it and not just say it to be nice

Wouldn't mind seeing The Stones in concert, as long as it's not too much to ask. I kow I've said I wanna see them in previous posts, but I wouldn't mind seeing them. Everyone seems to get what they want. Why can't I have a little happiness in my life? I know it seems like I'm asking for the moon, but believe me, I'm not. I'm asking for a little tiny star, lmao!!

Graduate college and get the hell out of this stupid school. Gateway SUCKS!

Have some money tucked away to do stuff I like

Win the lottery and help out family

Actually have a job in Graphic Design and actually like it. Definitely screen printing (making T-shirts and stuff, even though my mom says it's not a real job. Gotta have something worth hoping for)

Meet someone famous

I'm Employed!!!!!

I have a job!! I'm, as of 11am this morning, going to work. I now work in the bookstore at the college I'm attending. I never thought I'd be able to find another job, but it has come true!!!!!!!

Some Careers I Would Love to Do...

I have a whole bunch of dream jobs I would love to have if I weren't going to school for graphic design. Here are some of them:

Artist

Bartender

CD Cover designer. I want to design things like this, make them cool like these 2 designs below.

Cook/Chef

Dancer

Teacher

Jewelry Designer

Writer

Traveler

Interpreter for foreign languages

Tattoo Artist

Video Game Designer

Photographer

Criminal Justice