Contemplating a Career Change...

Many of you may not know that in a previous lifetime, I was a police officer. In fact, it's been 20 years since I last held a sworn position. I got out of it when Cynthia was small, and when I came to work here at the City of Lawrenceville.

Through the years, I would occasionally get the itch to go back out on the street, but it would pass. Lately, I've been having a full break-out. The itch won't go away.

This past Saturday, just to see how I feel about it, I went out and rode with one of the D.U.I. Task Force Officers. A super guy, and a good friend, named Bodie. Other than Pam, he is the only one that knows I am contemplating this change. Riding around just reinforced my desire to get back into the swing of things. I've been looking at these same four walls for 12 years now. And I've been inside, but on the peripheral, for 18 years. I'm ready. I'm in the best shape of my life. (Officially 27 lbs, as of yesterday.) And we are fixin' to have an opening for police officer.

There are a lot of obstacles to overcome. The first being the status of my certification. So I decided that I would explore that before I did anything else. I called the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council today, half hoping that they would tell me that it would require intensive training to get me current. That would make everything easier, as the City wouldn't go for that, and it would be the end of the matter. But the good news is that I would only require remedial training in the high-liability areas. That would be firearms and emergency vehicle operations. Not a problem there, as I know several of the guys would be willing to work with me to bring me to proficiency levels. So it's back to contemplating.

The next obstacle would be the Jeff-issue. The fact of the matter is that he is the Uniform Division commander. Basically, while I would have a shift supervisor, ultimately I would answer to him. But I truly think that he and I have reached a point of toleration and acceptance.

And then there is what I would be giving up. My Monday through Friday, 8 to 5, Holidays off gig. There is the fact that when it is cold outside, I am in my nice, warm office. And when it is sweltering outside, I am in my nice cool office. But when it is 70 degrees and sunny, I would be outside.

I will also need to check to make sure I won't have to take a pay cut. After 18 years, I don't make much more than the starting salary for a patrolman, but it is a couple dollars an hour.

I've got a lot to think about. I guess I've got until Wes turns in his notice to decide if I'm even gonna apply. And then, it might not even be offered to me. So right now, I'm just contemplating...