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ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

FR

I've known and worked with a lot of cops. Most of them are good people. A few are assholes, so much like the general population.

A very large number of them have relationship problems and get divorced. Unfortunately it's a lifestyle that isn't very family friendly. Long shifts, weird hours, frequent unplanned overtime (because when you've got a prisoner or are caught at a crime scene you can't just clock out), and canceled vacation time make it hard to make plans or to find time to socialize. They can sometimes be moved to a different station or department which is much further from home or has worse hours, and they have little or no choice in the matter. Then, add to that the high-stress nature of the work - the risk of injury, the aggression they face, the things they see (suicides, sudden deaths, murders, domestic abuse, rape cases - this stuff takes a tremendous toll even on those people who can build up a tough shell), the pressure they are under to meet certain targets, the negative view some people have of the police, the frustration at the court system... all in all, cops can carry a lot of issues and some people handle that better than others. I wouldn't say 'stay away from cops' but rather like getting involved with someone in the military, or a celebrity, or someone who is a carer, there are certain problems and challenges you can expect to face and for some people they can destroy the relationship.

Something to think about if you've got your heart set on a police officer.

Also, a lot of police officers don't like being treated as a cardboard cutout, which is what you do when you decide you want to date someone BECAUSE they are a police officer. Nobody likes to be defined by only one of their traits.

quote:

ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

I'm in the UK. Policing here is divided into forces, of different sizes. They wouldn't be moved huge distances like military folks but even to the other side of the city can add an hour each way to the commute and some of the policing areas are pretty big in less populated areas. They can also go from a cushy 8-4 post to working shifts with little notice. Not huge things, but certainly little things that can add up to unsettled times.