Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

[jeremym480]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

I don't like kids or teenagers so, I think I'd go with being a cop.

Although, I really dislike dealing with John Q. Public either.... Tough choice.

[Bullit]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

So the only people that should be cops are the people who hate the job, have no children, and are single?

OOOOps What I meant to say is that since the OP did not like the idea of being a cop then he shouldn't . It is a job that you have to have a "calling" for. And since he has a wife and kid to consider then it was not for him, as in my opinion and personal experience it would just be heartache for everybody. His wife doesn't want him to be a cop, he doesn't want to be a cop so why be a cop.

Fixing my orig. post. Thanks for the patience sometimes my fingers move faster than my brain. I am late picking up my daughter from school and did not edit.

[Artman22]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

Okay...then you've come to the right place.

First off....POLICE OFFICER...
I would say right off the bat, it's not for you. You describe the job as sitting on the corner like a bird. Sure...if that's what you want out of the job...you can do your 20(is it 22 now?...I think there is a new Tier for new hires)...just getting by. But there is A LOT more to being a police officer if you are really interested in that line of work.
That is one job that what you put in...you will get out in spades.
However....and this is a big one...you really need to be in the mindset for police work. Doing your shift in Douglaston and doing your shift in the Bush(Bushwick) are two very different animals. You have to be ready to do either(unless you got a crane for a hook and can get put anywhere...and if you did...you'd choose the Bush!)
On to the money...You will BY FAR...and I mean BY FAR make more money as a Police Officer than as a teacher. If you decide on promotions....it's even a larger gap. If money is your motivating factor....N.Y.P.D. NO QUESTION.
As a fireman...we are in line with P.D. salaries....without even trying with overtime...I earned over $100,000.00 last year. You want Oscar Tango...?...you'll be pushing $115,000.00 - $120,000(easy to make O.T. as a police officer with arrests)..
There is also a ton of room for advancement on P.D. as opposed to being a teacher. Sarge....Lt.....Capt....plainclothes....detective. .....mounted.....Emergency Service....all open for any officer...the first three through straight up exam. No special services required.

M.K.
Knight165

I hear you, but I don't agree about the money and I'll tell you why. Yes you'll make more money faster, but Teachers only work 180 days a year as oppose to cops. A teacher can teach summer school and that is double pay in the summer. I personally know a college professor who teaches in high school as well. He makes $90,000 from the HS and $65,000 from the college(3 nights a week) and always has his weekends off. Don't get me wrong cops do make money in NYC, but they also do a lot of OT and deal with a lot. The reason why I said like a bird is because I've spoken to many cops and the majority of them told mne they weren't happy, but that's probably just them.

[NDAlum]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

You sound like you have your mind made up.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

You sound like you have your mind made up.

Yeah, he really does.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

If I was choosing for me? Teacher. I have a crippling fear of death.

[fistofrage]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

If I was choosing for me? Teacher. I have a crippling fear of death.

I thought you would say cop. The schools are dangerous these days.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

Sounds like the OP has decided on teaching. You can teach somewhere else. This is my 3rd year teaching high school and I'm really enjoying it. Dealing with teenagers day in day out keeps things interesting. Most importantly, you can make a difference.

I have one kid that was always in trouble (and found out later had made multiple attempts on his own life). I just kept on being a listening ear and encouraging him to do better. About halfway way through the semester he decided he wanted to pass. He became a good student in my class, passed and visits me regularly.

You never really know what kids are going through at home. Being a good teacher is a lot more than just the teaching. You wont last long if you're doing it for the (little) money.

[Scottdau]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

Be a teacher in Juvenile Hall. You bascially are policing a classroom.

[Artman22]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

Yeah, he really does.

I was biased from the start, but I wanted to hear different takes on it. Teacher is my number one chose, but It's not looking too good for teachers in NY right now. That's why I was considering being a cop..

[Knight165]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

I hear you, but I don't agree about the money and I'll tell you why. Yes you'll make more money faster, but Teachers only work 180 days a year as oppose to cops. A teacher can teach summer school and that is double pay in the summer. I personally know a college professor who teaches in high school as well. He makes $90,000 from the HS and $65,000 from the college(3 nights a week) and always has his weekends off. Don't get me wrong cops do make money in NYC, but they also do a lot of OT and deal with a lot. The reason why I said like a bird is because I've spoken to many cops and the majority of them told mne they weren't happy, but that's probably just them.

I don't think there will be much summer school openings to make that kind of money...teaching jobs...as you said are getting TIGHT. Add a couple of thousand laid off teachers to the mix....
As a POLICE OFFICER(man do I hate it when people say "cop")...you pretty much make your O.T. money.
I'm not trying to convince you...but trust me...I've been one....you want to make the money...there are plenty of ways to make it on P.D.(all legal you wisea$$es!)...and it's there all the time. Plus there are plenty of advancement opportunities.

M.K.
Knight165

[bruinz]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

If you don't want to be a cop don't do it. Simple as that. Don't do a job you're going to hate four years down the road.

[VDusen04]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

Why not do both?

[superjames1992]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

Be a teacher in Juvenile Hall. You bascially are policing a classroom.

The best of both worlds!

[dan_457]

Re: Choice: Be a Cop or Teacher..

I was biased from the start, but I wanted to hear different takes on it. Teacher is my number one chose, but It's not looking too good for teachers in NY right now. That's why I was considering being a cop..

I'll ask, do you absolutely have top have a teaching job in NY? If teachings what you really want to do, you might have to make some sacrifices to do so.