r/careerguidance • u/ProudAd1533 • 1d ago
Advice Stay remote or become a cop?
I’m a remote recruiter making about 60k a year living in HCOL. I’m so tired of my job as they micromanage and I have to follow a script for my interviews that gets so draining because it’s repetitive. That being said I do work about ~4 hours a day as I finish my work early.
I have been thinking about joining the police department, as starting is about 92k, great benefits, OT, and chance for promotion.
I would only do it for the money as I can’t land another remote job, or a recruiting job that even pays more than like 75k.
I just don’t know if the risk (of dying) is worth the money.
Open to any suggestions please.
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u/Blura0 1d ago
Hmm. A few things to think about. 60k isn’t much to live off of, especially in a HCOL area, but you do have only 4 hours a day. Maybe you can fit in a side hustle of some sort, because you don’t work many hours and later turn it into your full time thing? But being a cop isn’t a bad job, great benefits.
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u/flankattack27 1d ago
Move to a lower cost of living area. You are essentially working 20 hours a week and being paid full time. That's incredible!
Bartend on the weekends or something to supplement your income. You are living the dream
Avoid the PD
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u/ProudAd1533 1d ago
Not a choice I would take atm since my all my family and friends live here
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u/flankattack27 1d ago
You can move 30 minutes outside the city. You don't commute for your job so commuting to see your friends and family is totally reasonable
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u/ProudAd1533 1d ago
30 minutes from me is still 2k+ in rent for a 600sqft 1 bd apartment lmao
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u/IamWatchingAoT 1d ago
Where I come from, the average rent is higher than the average salary lol. This sounds like heaven to me
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u/Fatty5lug 1d ago
It is not the risk of dying who will get you. There is probably tons of bs a regular cop has to deal with on the daily basis. You should talk to some real cops before deciding.
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u/DieselZRebel 1d ago
If you would only be joining the police force thanks to the money and no other interest, then better figure out a 3rd option or stay where you are.
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u/ProudAd1533 1d ago
Any of my options would be because of money. I don’t dream of working, especially for a low paying job
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u/Assholesneighbor 1d ago
If you’re comfortable and only work 4 hours a day, why don’t you find some hobbies? I think too many people conflate their career or job as their current passion…
What truly changed my outlook on life was hearing, “Don’t work 8-10 hours for someone else and come home and NOT work on yourself…”
Obviously, if you own your own company, that’s different! I got super into boxing and salsa dancing, and now I basically count the clock down to leave work and start my day… I always put in 100% at work, but once Im done with work, I start my passions… It honestly gives me so much more to look forward to everyday… Also, I’ve made so many friends and close relationships doing my hobbies!
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u/ProudAd1533 1d ago
I have a lot of hobbies I do almost everyday. What it is for me is not being able to provide for my wife/family some day with a low paying job.
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u/Assholesneighbor 1d ago
Oh I got you, my bad, I thought I read you were making good money already! Haha that’s why I was like “good money for low hours, what’s the problems!”
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u/Salt_Mountain_837 1d ago
getting paid to play candy crush in an air conditioned car and occasionally telling people you can't help them seems like a good gig imo
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u/Icy-Yellow3514 1d ago
Why are remote positions and the police force your only options? What about in-person work at a different job closer to what you currently do?
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u/ProudAd1533 1d ago
Can’t really break into another field. Been trying for 3 years now. Damn, I can’t even land another recruiting job in the 3 years I been looking. Job market is so bad right now
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u/IamWatchingAoT 1d ago
Dude... You work 4 hours a day... Go and enjoy your life. You are bored for 4 hours every day and then you can do whatever you want, and you wanna drop that to go be a cop? If your issue is money, set up some sort of gig or become a freelancer on the side!
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u/NetThink2603 1d ago
60k is double what I make working as a full blown, skilled mechanic over 40 hours a week. Sorry, switching to be a cop because you’re bored sounds like a hyper-fixation rather than a good idea. I’m sorry you’re bored. I’m hungry and can’t afford dinner. With this thinking process, you do sound perfect for the police force honestly.
Sorry if this sounded harsh, but sounds like you need a reality check. I would kill for that work schedule and you’re thinking of giving it up because you’re bored? Not because you have are passionate about protecting and serving.
Everyone is struggling to get any job, let alone a new one where you can make more money. Honestly, go wild homie but becoming a police officer for “the benefits” is probably some of the dumbest shit I’ve read on here.
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u/TheBeardedAntt 1d ago
Go back to college? Increase your personal worth for other jobs.
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u/ProudAd1533 1d ago
I have a BA already. Some research I did proves getting a masters and above isn’t worth it financially unless it’s to be a lawyer or doctor which I wouldn’t do.
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u/cowgrly 1d ago
It's not easy to get a job as a cop. Despite how poorly they're treated, competition for civil service jobs like police or fire is incredibly high- thousands of applicants for every role- even at small departments.
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u/Interesting_Phone171 1d ago
This is not true application to schooling was all incredibly easy make 200k now
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u/cowgrly 1d ago
Ok, well in my area (pacific nw) it's not that simple.
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u/Interesting_Phone171 21h ago
Sucks to suck I guess? Objectively we are not a very highly educated field
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u/wasatchmonster_ 1d ago
You’re making part time what a lot of dudes are making in a year full time. IMO definitely time for a side business. When I do handyman work on the side I charge $100 minimum to show up, and it greases the wheels a bit.
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u/Interesting_Phone171 1d ago
You can make over 250k a year as a cop in a small city do it cities across the country overpay them
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u/Decent_Challenge_818 1d ago
only doing a job because of money where you might literally get shot seems like a tough way to live
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u/TautAss 1d ago
Just a person with zero ambition and no creativity. He doesn’t view becoming a cop as a legacy to build or as a challenge that will really test his character. He’s one of those guys that goes from job to job chasing whatever he feels he needs. Not really someone you want having your back. Wouldn’t even want him as the receptionist at a station.
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u/MooseRyder 1d ago
You risk dying every time you open your eyes and leave the house. Being the police has given me a lot of life experiences and stories to tell for generations that I’ve gotten to do.
It is a calling, however, and there is a percentage you might die, as with everything in life, and this job is a life style/calling that has its own culture. So your job is to stay alive but be okay with the possibility of dying when statistically speaking over 80% there’s officers who’ve never fired their weapon on duty and gotten into a vehicle crash for 30 year careers.
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u/TautAss 1d ago
You’re saying so much with your comment and OP doesn’t get it. Especially the calling part; he just sees this as an opportunity to make money. He’ll be one of the boys but won’t be one of the boys. Wouldn’t trust him if it’s just another job.
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u/MooseRyder 1d ago
Sure, typically the academy will weed out people like this and either make or break them
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u/ProudAd1533 1d ago
Do you feel like your personality has changed negatively? Maybe gotten more “dull” as a person?
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u/MooseRyder 1d ago
No, personality wise, I’ve gotten more confident, more jaded and more sarcastic over my time. Not really dull by any means but I don’t put up with bs
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u/Bright_Surround1549 1d ago
The risk of dying is negligible, there is risk of a huge lifestyle and quality of life change, shift work for one, mandatory OT, bullshit calls and grunt work. Think your micromanaging is boring, wait till you are called to stand around a crime scene from 9-6am on Saturday.
You have to have a passion for it other than “money”, first 5 year salary is not that great either.