What plans are you making for your life after law enforcement? Email editor@policeone.com.
Remember when you were on the front side of your police career? For me, it was a magical time. I could imagine going out and doing the job, fighting crime, saving people and being a hero. And, mostly, my career in law enforcement was precisely that. It was a blast and something I will never regret.
Fast forward to today, and you’d find an older, much more tired, somewhat physically broken version of my former ass-kicking self. In other words, there is a life after the job, and it’s inevitable.
How about you? Where are you in the circle-of-life cop timeline? If you are at the 3/4 point, usually about the 15th year, you need to start thinking about what you are going to do next. But trust me, that can be easier said than done.
Heres a few tips to help you: First, what skills do you have? No, I don’t mean banging bad guys off the walls. I mean, are you good with people? Could you sell a glass of milk to a cow? Perhaps you have skills in a trade or a hobby. Start thinking about how you can convert those into a second career.
If you don’t have skills, get them. Start taking college classes in your off time or reading and learning all about a job that sounds interesting to you. Approach your second career with as much enthusiasm as you did law enforcement.
Ultimately, my best advice is to embrace the future. Accept the changes that are coming and do it with grace and determination. You may find that your life “after the job” can be just as rewarding as your life was “on the job.”
Continue the discussion about life after law enforcement with this video.
