I miss the people (most of them) that I worked with. The job can go fuck itself. I was turned into an unwilling social and mental health worker and relationship counselor. Law Enforcement became a distant third on the radar.
Posts: 2763 | Location: Lake Country, Minnesota | Registered: September 06, 2019
Found that I missed it, and it was all I really knew how to do. Went back, to another agency, and like what I do. The job has drastically changed over the years however.
Posts: 308 | Location: Pa | Registered: September 20, 2007
I left after 26.5 years, but my goal was 30. Burnout was the major factor why I had left.
I thought about becoming a reserve so I could stay in the game, but I never acted on it. I took classes to maintain my license just in case, but I would have to jump through more TCOLE hoops to get back on now since I’ve been gone so long - it is just not worth it to me now.
I miss it because it was what I did and who I was. What I don’t miss is the move from law enforcement to a social justice emphasis. Just as the military is/was trained to kill people and destroy things, I was trained to equally enforce the laws. Other than my health, this new thinking pushed me out before my plans were complete. I love retirement more now so all of that is behind me now.This message has been edited. Last edited by: ftttu,
Retired Texas Lawman
Posts: 1226 | Location: Texas | Registered: March 03, 2016
Retired August 1 after nearly 28 years. I miss some of the people, but I honestly don't miss being the police. A lot of friends have told me they haven't seen me this relaxed in a long time.
Posts: 1650 | Location: Suffolk, VA | Registered: March 23, 2005
Timely thread. I have been in law enforcement for 26 years. Just turned 50. I have my retirement paperwork filled out. Just having a bit of trouble turning it in...
Posts: 7746 | Location: West Jordan, Utah | Registered: June 19, 2007
I miss most of, but not all, of the people that I worked with, but I'm glad I retired.
I retired six years ago, but we still get together occasionally for wings & beer, or to go to the range. They all tell me that if I was still working, I'd be fired within a week. I was never very politically correct & if I had something to say, I was going to say it.
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"It's hard to imagine a more stupid or dangerous way of making decisions, than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." Thomas Sowell
Posts: 2048 | Location: PA | Registered: September 01, 2013
I have 2 years, 2 months left and can't wait to be gone. The senior officer on my squad has less than 4 months left and he can't wait to leave. My best friend was one of those poor bastards in Ferguson, he worked that whole shit show from start (worked night shift following the Darren Wilson/Michael Brown shooting) to last January 2019. He went out for a couple months for PTSD (loss of focus, loss of sleep , anxiety, etc) He is working corporate security now and couldn't be happier.
I am just going to say it isn't like it was......and then you have "progressive" prosecutors who are only interested in releasing criminals and putting cops in jail.
Posts: 4084 | Location: St.Louis County MO | Registered: October 13, 2006
Voted I'm glad I retired (2008) and do not miss it. Sure, I miss some of the folks but several have now retired or moved to a non-LE job anyway. The job is not the same as when I started in 1976.
Originally posted by gw3971: Timely thread. I have been in law enforcement for 26 years. Just turned 50. I have my retirement paperwork filled out. Just having a bit of trouble turning it in...
When you do finally turn the paperwork in you will be missed. No Utah LEOs are fantastic and you are one of them.
He he, you sound like my old partner (PSP Troop A)
quote:
Originally posted by Ironbutt: I miss most of, but not all, of the people that I worked with, but I'm glad I retired.
I retired six years ago, but we still get together occasionally for wings & beer, or to go to the range. They all tell me that if I was still working, I'd be fired within a week. I was never very politically correct & if I had something to say, I was going to say it.
Posts: 308 | Location: Pa | Registered: September 20, 2007
I retired the first time at 51, and thought I was done with anything LE related. Couple years later I went to work as a non sworn employee in the same agency's crime lab. Being around LE again, I got the bug to work as an officer again, and perhaps move to a smaller town. I did both, and worked as an officer for another decade or so. When I retired again, from the smaller town PD, I stayed on as a reserve officer for several more years. Then I was really ready to retire,and resigned as a reserve. It was the right time, and retirement has been good. Still miss it sometimes though
NRA Life
Posts: 1586 | Location: Under the Tonto Rim | Registered: August 18, 2003
Retired from two agencies. 42 years total. I miss many of the wonderful people I worked with but not the environment so much-it is a young person's profession. I get my thrills vicariously by watching LivePD
Originally posted by ftttu: I left after 26.5 years, but my goal was 30. My health was the major factor why I had left.
I thought about becoming a reserve so I could stay in the game, but I never acted on it. I took classes to maintain my license just in case, but I would have to jump through more TCOLE hoops to get back on now since I’ve been gone so long - it is just not worth it to me now.
I miss it because it was what I did and who I was. What I don’t miss is the move from law enforcement to a social justice emphasis. Just as the military is/was trained to kill people and destroy things, I was trained to equally enforce the laws. Other than my health, this new thinking pushed me out before my plans were complete. I love retirement more now so all of that is behind me now.
I’m in Texas, too. Got a question for you if you’d be kind enough to e-mail me. Thanks.
Most anyone who makes it to retirement in this field probably liked the work, despite disliking the administration. Once one gets a taste for hunting bad people, the desire to do so, does not easily fade. Nor does one forget the connections of the tribe. However, the astute among us will hopefully realize when it is time to move on. I didn't. Luckily my wife happily pointed it out to me. Lots of peripheral work for those who want it.
I miss the action and the guys I worked with. I am an Adrenalin junkie and loved the excitement.The rest of it, not so much. And I miss the hunt. I liked hunting and catching bad guys, especially burglars and car thieves. And you can retire, but it never leaves you. Too many vivid memories. I have PTSD (so they say, anyway) but other than certain things causing flashbacks and some dreams, I am fine. Main retirement problem: I still want to drive like a cop!
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
Posts: 16476 | Location: Marquette MI | Registered: July 08, 2014
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