police officer

detective

police sergeant

sergeant

operations analyst

Chicago Police Department

For over 20 years I have learned and executed self-defense tactics,training on all law enforcement aspects of policing, legal issues, criminal and internal police investigations, directed missions, search warrants, tactical response teams, crowd control, traffic control, criminal and evidence processing, courtroom testifying, criminal and administrative report writing, scheduling, computer processing and computer use for all criminal matters and investigations, firearms training, tactical driving, terrorist and chemical hazmat training and generally many other facets to maintain awareness and skills of a law enforcement officer.

Also over my career with the City of Chicago, I have worked many outside law enforcement agencies via detail or mission, FBI, DEA, Secret Service, ATF as well as other local and state departments and municipalities.  

I have over the years been quite successful and attained promotion to Sergeant where I have supervised hundreds of officers daily as well as plainclothes officers on tactical teams.  

The hardest part of the job was the hours and time away from family though I made do as I best I can.  The most enjoyable parts of the job were the associates and friends and co-workers I had close ties and relationships with.  I did enjoy working with the public and interacting with the various communities.  There is good out there in this world!

Management varied and trust seemed to be an issue later in my career among the staff.  Disciplinary procedures through collective bargaining agreements via union contracts seemed to vary and unfortunately it affected me and my future. Though the issues are still pending as of this writing. 

I worked hard over the years, I produced and was very effective at what I did.  I know a Police Officer's work in general and their integrity is constantly challenged, I know mine was too but I showed up, rarely missed work, earned over 200 honorable mentions for felony arrests, 9 Department Commendations and at least 21 Complimentary Letters from citizens among numerous other award like Lifesaving and Special Commendations that were highly regarded awards.  

Basically I showed up for over 20 years to serve and protect the public and I feel that's what I did!

One of the many reasons I enjoyed being a First Responder so much is no one workday was like the previous.
Any First Responder will tell you their workday day could go from 0 mph to 80 mph in a few seconds. You just never knew what the dispatcher had for you on the other end of the call or what you may roll your squad car up to. No day was typical. I may have been responding to a missing child who just didn't want to come home from school, an elderly person unable to get from point A to point B, or a gang member shot by an unidentified opposing gang member. 
Something most First Responders have in common is a sense of humor. Something needed to get through the day. I loved my co-workers. Some were single parents, married with multiple children, or single and taking college courses part-time to better their education. Everyone seemed to laugh at the most ridiculous things we encountered on streets. Sometimes we cried but never let anyone see the tears. 
The hardest part of being a police officer is not being able to do something knowing something needs to change. So many times I wanted to tell young children things were going to be okay knowing the circumstances life had dealt them weren't going to make life easy for them. I wanted to relocate elderly people and their young grandbabies to a safer neighborhood. A place where they didn't have to worry about stray bullets catapulting into the homes they have lived in all their lives. I also wanted to somehow convince young black men that selling dope on a corner just doesn't make sense when education should be the only thing on their minds. 
The most enjoyable part of my job is the one out of 100 calls I responded to where my professional courtesy, my simple human kindness I was able to help someone who truly was in the final hour of losing all hope. In my 10 years as a police officer I was granted the gift of helping those that truly needed a kind word, a sense of belonging, and a point in the right direction. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have served my community.

Work with a community that does not help the officer in statements in which if they saw anything or try to help an officer to point us in the right direction. An uphill battle trying to establish good relationships with the community in which they presive the officer as bad guys. You learn a lot everyday, about the community, humanity and yourself. Work culture at a district (station) you see plenty of officers who are not for the community but for themselves and their gains, borderline discriminative against the community. Bosses deaf to your concerns and how to improve relationships with the people who you are supposed to protect and help. Hardest part of the job was trying to do the right thing and your peers judging you or pointing you out as an outsider for trying to do the right thing, placing you in harms way so you will get hurt or not return back to work. Seeing little children used by drug dealers for sales and to commit crime. Innocent children being abused and sometimes fatally hurt for not complying to the local dealer. The most enjoyable time was helping and seeing a young life listen to your advise and get out from that type if crime by joining the US Military Service and making something of their lives and go see the world for what they can make it for themselves.

Reporting/Officer has ability and agility to be reactive and/or proactive in any incident. R/O while on patrol duties remains alert and  responds to calls for service. R/O provides assistance to others in need. R/O remains in contact with the radio dispatcher and immediate supervisor for situational awareness. R/O completes required reports and documentation of each incident. R/O adheres to standard operating procedures during the performance of duties and obligations.  R/O is familiar with computer databases relying on computer generated information to make decisions and completion of any reports. R/O takes on any required training to become better in his/her profession. R/O works with other co-workers to meet the expectations of his employer and the public. R/O is aware that the hardest part of the job is using appropriate amount of any force against any person as required. R/O knows that the most enjoyable part of the job is meeting the public's expectations of achieving desirable outcome in a highly threatening situation that the R/O is a part of.

I was a Chicago Police Officer for 25 years.  The last 15 years as a Detective.  In my career, I met thousands of police officers within the department and in other jurisdictions.  All of which are great individuals wanting to work hard and serve their community.  In my last four years on the department I was exposed to management that  imposed a business management style to this profession.  (As an example, you can not solve a Homicide in an eight hour shift.)  There was alot of micro management within the department.  There was also a shift in the courts prosecuting and sentencing convicted criminals.  They have become very lenient in truth and sentencing.

At the end of my career in Chicago, I observed a large amount of officers retiring with just 20 years of service or in search of other careers.  I could not find anyone that was happy with their careers as Chicago Police Officers.  

I appreciate all the knowledge and experience that I have obtained as a Chicago Police Officer in my future career, but in today's day and age, I would never recommend this job to anyone.

I worked in the reception area and received guest. I took care of data entering paperwork for officers wishing to transfer to another task force, I screened telephone calls, copied, filed, picked up packages, inventory, escorted agents to meetings, typed letter, set up meetings and scheduled meetings.

I have been required to expect an important call, enter task force paperwork right away, give receipts to waiting officers, pick up important packages and escort sergeants to their next conference interview within a matter of 15 minutes because everything was expected right away.  This happened often and everything was important and needed to be done immediately.  This was the hardest part of the job when deadlines were needed and the chief needed a report done in addition to everything else.
The most enjoyable part of this job was simply wanting to help people and that made it necessary for me to make sure that everything was done in time.  My co-workers and I helped each other and we were a team!

A typical day at work is varied based on assignment. If working a beat car you would work an assigned area and respond to location within that area. Sometimes so many times in fact you get to know people by their first name. 

I have learned to deal with all types of people  from different back grounds, and cultures, and how to talk with people and learn about them.

Management on the department varies from every part of the management spectrum. You will have bosses that are the best in the police world, and will lead you into a direction to succeed, and then you will have managers that will only care about themselves and will not help you at all and will dictate their wants and needs to fit their personal agenda.

The hardest part of this job if fairness. In most cases it just doesn't exist anymore. When you do you job and complaints are lodged against you, there is no unbiased investigation. 

The most enjoyable part is getting the paycheck and being able to go home and be with the family.

Working for the Chicago Police Department offers a demanding yet meaningful career focused on public safety and community service. Officers experience a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same, providing opportunities to develop strong decision-making, communication, and crisis-management skills. The department offers solid benefits, competitive pay, and clear pathways for advancement through specialized units and supervisory roles. Training is extensive and ongoing, emphasizing professionalism and procedural knowledge.
However, the job comes with significant challenges. High-pressure situations, long hours, and mandatory overtime can affect work-life balance. The department also operates under intense public scrutiny, which can add stress and require strong resilience. Community relations and political expectations may impact daily duties and morale.
Overall, CPD can be a rewarding workplace for individuals committed to public service, personal discipline, and navigating complex urban policing environments.

I start the day by looking to see who was arrested the night before. I interveiw gang members all the time to gather intelligence. I've i know how to talk to them in order for them to trust you enough to tell you things. I also see if any of them are wanted for anything. I meet with my Commander daily to update him on any gang conflict we have so that we have extra protection where its needed. I'm also a Social Media person for the district. I also work the street reponding to any gang calls, shots fired calls, robberies or any other calls. Talking to people everyday gives you alot. People trust police office that take the time to talk to them build a professional relationship with people. I take the time to talk to everyone bad or good. You would be surprised how some gang members want to change their lives but don't know how. I've had many people come to my station thanking me just for talking to them, helping them and just being there for them.

A typical work day as commanding officer, I mangaged 21 Sworn members and 19 Civillian Property custodians who were charged with the collection of all Guns, Narcotics, Money, and Personal Property, seized or inventoried by the Chicago Police Department.
These personnel alsowere resposible foe the pick-up and delivery of all inner-departmental and city offices mail.

A typical day as a tactical/gang sergeant, i supervised plain clothed officers and conducted gun and narcotic related Search Warrants, and Sting Operations such as reverse narcotic buys, and Prostitution.

I had the highest level of respect among my co-workers and managers.

The hardest part of my jod was observing and addressing the violence conditions in one of the highest violence communities in this country.

The most enjoyable part of my job was makeing a positive "Quality of Life" impact within the community.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Police officer 4 salaries reported	$100,500 per year
Detective 3 salaries reported	$128,333 per year
Police sergeant 6 salaries reported	$118,778 per year
Sergeant 4 salaries reported	$119,477 per year
Operations analyst 3 salaries reported	$75,911 per year

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