Considering career change after 24 years

[hawkrooster]

Hawkrooster an off the wall suggestion I know but have you considered becoming a game warden? A LEO of a different league but with you background may be something to check into.

They aren't hiring at the moment in my area. I missed the boat a year ago and wouldn't have had to relocate. They hired a guy out of Kansas who was already a warden there and he's a good guy

[hawkrooster]

If you meant to say stay another YEAR then that's a no brainer. Five more years's worth of payments collected? Leaving now would cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.

I checked today and it is 1.5 years. I gonna stick this out until I find something I truly is a fit for me. Got to keep options open.

[hawkrooster]

Are you wanting to get away from law enforcement all together? If not maybe try a different aspect of it that will give you better hours and time off. Could you get your teaching certification and teach at the local college on law enforcement or be a consultant of some sort? Other than that pick something you enjoy that meets your financial needs and time off requirements. Good luck!

I think I need a change. I am not the same person I was going into this career. Don't get me wrong I had some high moments too over the years I wouldn't trade for anything.

[ChuckTR21]

May not be something you have interest in but I have a friend who left as a Captain after close to 30 years and he has done well selling law enforcement software. With WELL being the key word. Governments who buy this stuff want to see expertise in the field and the ability to show their decision makers how it will help them do their jobs. Perfect fit for a retired officer. Thank you for your service.

[dwtaylor]

Well it sounds like you are going to get IPERS either way so why don't you salvage what you have left for peace of mind and get out of dodge (dodge being law enforcement).

Where I work we have several production supervisors that have prior work experience in law enforcement and they do pretty well in their jobs. The Waterloo area is a pretty good manufacturing hub in Iowa so there should be local positions available for you. Pay should be good and benefits to at least carry you until you can retire.

On that note, see if Do-It molds is hiring because they are so behind right now and it is just down the road from you!

[Landar]

Stay until you are 55 and then do something else. Pensions rule in this day and age.

[jigman51]

Regardless of what you do, quit don't quit, the time is going to pass. If you can retire in another 4.5 years and start drawing immediately, you will regret not doing it. It makes things a lot easier. Good luck to you and thanks for what you do.

[bassnleo]

I am pretty much a long time lurker to this site but I have noticed there seems to be some pretty good advice given out. I figure why not ask on what I have been kicking around. I am thinking about getting out of my 24 year law enforcement career to do something else. I am getting burned out to be honest. My wife wants me out. I only get one weekend off a month and have missed so much including many things including my high school daughter growing up. She's a senior next year and will most likely be a college athlete so being off weekends will be important to me.

I also sell post frame buildings or pole barns for a local construction company and have done that for the last 10 years on top of my cop job. I really like sales but with labor shortages I cannot live off of that income alone. I use to flip lawn mowers and had a small business for about 5 years before moving on to building sales. I can collect my pension at 55 years of age, but I am currently 46.5 yoa. It's been so long since I've "looked" for a job. The side jobs always found me accidentally. Hopefully I am not too old make a respectable living if I walk away. Any advice would be appreciated.

I've read this post and your responses to other questions. I was in a nearly identical situation in 2015. I'd completed 20 years and could "retire" and start collecting a pension. I was age 46. In my 19th year I knew it would be time to go at year 20. I began marketing myself and looking for jobs, and I was lucky to find one, a good one. Once I hit the 20 year mark I was OUT. I was incredibly burned out as well. Let's face it, cop work and shift work sucks. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything, but I'd never go back either. I wish you the best in whatever you decide.

[VA Bass]

would you consider an older suuuga mama?

[Babe Winkleworm]

After 20 years in a water utility. I know exactly where you are coming from. I pulled up stakes moved my family 3 hours away to the country.Now drive a school bus and love every second of it. My vote is YES

[CaymasCobaltKen]

I have hesitated to chime in, since you are wanting a change. I have been retired 4 years after 33 years with one department. The city loved its cops and it paid well, so it would be difficult to complain. Most of us have had similar thoughts of getting out. It is a different job in every way, but you are on the downhill side.

The one thing I learned at FBI National Academy is all departments have similar problems, complaints and personalities. You might be happier doing something else, but what if it is worse? Ride it out, take the pension and move on.

[hawkrooster]

I've read this post and your responses to other questions. I was in a nearly identical situation in 2015. I'd completed 20 years and could "retire" and start collecting a pension. I was age 46. In my 19th year I knew it would be time to go at year 20. I began marketing myself and looking for jobs, and I was lucky to find one, a good one. Once I hit the 20 year mark I was OUT. I was incredibly burned out as well. Let's face it, cop work and shift work sucks. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything, but I'd never go back either. I wish you the best in whatever you decide.

I appreciate it. I applied for a job yesterday just to test the waters. Excellent pay with great benefits. Heck I don't even have vision or dental insurance at my current job. As far as my pension I would most likely still work another job regardless if I was collecting that money too. It wouldn't be enough to not live on with a kid in college and my lifestyle. I am at peace with whether or not I even get an interview.

[hawkrooster]

would you consider an older suuuga mama?

Oh boy. I struggle to keep one woman happy plus she would get half of my pension

[RockOn]

Good for you. We spend so much time at our jobs, we must find at least something good there. After working 25 years in the bank i decided to change my career and started to learn ecommerce website development. I can't say that it was an easy step and can't say i did everything right at the beginning but it was definitely worth it. Now i am independent and can decided by myself when i should work and when shouldn't. I also decided if i need any help or i can do the whole job alone. It gives me flexibility and definitely peace of mind.

[GABuckeye]

I was in the same boat after 13 years at a large department. I happened across a management job in the healthcare world at a local
hospital. There is more money in private sector and the stress is way less, for me at least. My blood pressure dropped 15 points in a matter of 3 months. I wish you the best and stay safe!

[hawkrooster]

Quick update. I finished the year out. Am vested in my pension and can now collect at 50 vs the 55 if I left early. Gave my two weeks notice yesterday and am walking away from law enforcement. I already found a sales job selling post frame building components to various businesses with active accounts plus I can still sell buildings too. It feels like what I need to be doing now. Thanks again for all the advice to stick it out. I am at peace moving on.

Aaron

[Kingfish3000]

I am pretty much a long time lurker to this site but I have noticed there seems to be some pretty good advice given out. I figure why not ask on what I have been kicking around. I am thinking about getting out of my 24 year law enforcement career to do something else. I am getting burned out to be honest. My wife wants me out.

Attorneys that I know that are prosecutors and defense attorneys tell me about conversations that occur when everyone is sitting around waiting for the judge, the arrival of prisoners, during lunch breaks, etc. Officers are burned out and jaded everywhere and they have been less circumspect talking about it and expressing their desire to get out.

Good luck to you.

[Babe Winkleworm]

I can still collect it at 55 if I leave now. It's not going anywhere. I just need to survive financially until then. I work day shift now, but I think it is time to move on while I still am able.

So I am in the same boat can't draw till 55. We moved to a rural area and I found a new job. It was the best I ever made. no regrets

[Leon]

I retired from law enforcement after 36 years. I have been retired since 2006 and now can fish every week day, if I chose to. The environment, in Nashville,Tn.,has changed dramatically over the years. I was fortunate enough to have served my time when people respected the law and the people that enforced it. I’m glad I left when I did, now is not the time to be a human target, 24/7. The liberal Democrats that run the city care more for the drug heads and the protesters that March anytime someone gets arrested.
The sentiment toward law enforcement has definitely changed and not for the better, in my humble opinion. Good luck in your new found field. Definitely a smart move.

[jlg309]

Quick update. I finished the year out. Am vested in my pension and can now collect at 50 vs the 55 if I left early. Gave my two weeks notice yesterday and am walking away from law enforcement. I already found a sales job selling post frame building components to various businesses with active accounts plus I can still sell buildings too. It feels like what I need to be doing now. Thanks again for all the advice to stick it out. I am at peace moving on.

Aaron

Congratulations!!! I retired in December after 31 years as a LEO. Glad you stuck it out for the pension. You will be thanking yourself later.