My dream job (kind of)

[Joe.]

Growing up it has always been a dream of mine to become a police officer and work in the police force. I got mugged which stopped this dream and made me think I couldn't do it. The mugging has created a lot of anxiety and anger. This makes me think I should give up the dream because I fear that I'll fail because of my anxiety. Lately I've had a growing passion to work for the police force again. I have a couple of questions because I'm unsure of a few things. Do you think I should give up this dream because of the mugging? Is it wise for me to go into a tough job because of my problems? Also, do you think I should wait until I have completely transitioned before I apply? Completely transitioned to me means that I've been on T for a while, am passing 100% and had top surgery. Bottom surgery is not high on my list of priorities right now. I want to know if this is a wise choice, I understand that people's dreams aren't always meant to come true.

[DriftingCrow]

Joey, if that's what you want, pursue it. Don't let a mugging get in your way.

First off let me say DON'T LET THE FOLLOWING DETER YOU, since I don't know the extent of your anxiety, etc. but in the USA  police forces often do a psych check, so I'd imagine the UK does as well. Before taking classes our applying anywhere you may want to check this out to see if you'd qualify. Talk to your therapist to see if your anxiety will be disqualifying. Also, even if you are disqualified, look at similar industries you could go into instead, like private investigation, legal investigation, etc.

If there's trans protections and you feel comfortable, I'd join before fully transitioning.

In the US, a lot of forces want associates or bachelors degrees (or military service), so if UK is similar you get get on T you'll already be well into  a hormonal transition by the time you start applying anywhere.

[Rachel]

Joe, I was jumped and have a scar above my left eye from the rock used to pound on me. I had my butt kicked and was very bloody but that would not stop me.   If I wanted to be a cop I would look into perusing that line of work.

[King Malachite]

I don't think you should let a mugging stop you from being a cop.  If anything, that's quite noble and you would be helping others that went through the same thing. 

However, you should think carefully about wanting to be a police officer.  It's a noble job yes, but it's one of the most stressful jobs there.  It might be different over there in the UK, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.  Police officers do not get the respect the deserve and they tend to get underpaid for that they do.  It takes a special type of personality to go into law enforcement.  Over here, the turnover rate tends to be high due to the stress.  Also, if you get into law enforcement, you will need to doubly make sure you are watching your health because with swing shifts, the possibility of not making home that day, and so much more, eating habits tend to change and health starts to decline.

Again just take what I say with a grain of salt since the law enforcement in the UK is probably a much different culture than over here.  What I highly suggest you do is call up your local law enforcement agency and ask if you can do a ride-along with them for a few days to see if it is a career you really want to pursue.  As far as transition, I say that's a very personal decision.  Personally, I would wait if I were going to be a cop, but hey like LearnedHand said, if there are trans protections and you feel comfortable right now then go a join up.

[Joe.]

Thanks for the replies. I agree that I shouldn't let the mugging stop me. I think that if I did become a police officer, it would truly tell myself that I have got past that and they haven't won. My dream job is to go into the investigation part of it and things like that, but I spoke to a police officer and he said I'd have to be a police officer first. I understand that being a police officer is stressful which is what worries me, I don't know if I'm cut out for it. I don't know if that is my low self confidence talking. I spoke to a few people and they said I have the perfect personality for a police man. They said I can deal with anything on the spot and don't let it show if somebody upsets me, I'm assertive but fair. I asked a teacher what job I would suit and he said a police officer without hesitating. Deep down I think I know I can do it, but I think I need to boost my self confidence first.

From my knowledge I believe there are laws that protect trans people but I wouldn't want to go into the force knowing that I don't pass because I think it would make me an easy target. The other thing about waiting until after top surgery is because I need to do a fitness test and I know it's not advised to do exercise whilst binding.

[DriftingCrow]

I know you didn't enjoy university much, but why not sign up for an Introduction to Policing course at a local community college? Just take the one course to see how you feel, then sign up for more if you like it. (I got my associates in Law Enforcement from a community college).

Also, check to see if a local city/town has a Community Police Academy you can sign up for to make local contacts, learn some more about it, and have some volunteer work (graduates are usually encouraged to volunteer at stuff life local fairs/events with the force) on your resume.

You can also look for jobs in security while you're waiting. I know Securitas is a worldwide company. I worked for the US company for a few years and it was pretty decent (for a security company, right in the heart of the Recession that is  ). See if they have a branch near you or if theres another security company, now is the time to apply since security officers are needed to protect retail sites during the holidays. While its not the most glamorous job, it pays better than working a register, its a step in the right direction, and you can usually get swell gigs that are perfect if you go to school as well.

Also, in the US, many police departments won't hire anyone until they're 21 or over (I know you're below that), so you have a few years to get some education, in shape, and spruce up your resume, as well as start your transition.

[Natkat]

If it really what you want I think you should do it.
I read a quate about. "it would be more easy not to follow my dream but then I won't have one to follow" I think is pretty good.

I think it that way you can always try and figure out it wasn't something, or you could never try and wonder if you had a chance or not
I think it is a stressfull job but remember the people being a police now are also just humans, there probably also have some points which there not good at which we all got. If you have problem with anxiouty then you may try to prepear your health on it maybe having some lessons with a therapist or something, Beside I am pretty sure in alot of countrys you have "psycologi-lesson" when you go into the police to help on how to deal with diffrent kind of situations and how to deal with stress and anxiouty and so on.

you may also ask some teacher for the police school for advice, I dont think its about the problems but how you deal with it.