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Are you currently dating a police officer or somebody else in the field of public safety? If so, then perhaps the possibility of tying the knot to this person has crossed your mind at some point. While this can be an exciting prospect to think about, the fact remains that being married to a first responder or public safety employee is typically a lot different than marrying somebody in another field. Of course, this does not mean that you should not get married to this person if you truly love them, but it is good to know what to expect when you marry a public safety worker such as a police officer.
Fluctuating Hours and Shifts
One of the most important things to realize upon marrying a police officer, firefighter, or other first responder is the fact that you may not get to spend as much time with them as you would like due to their often fluctuating work schedules. Often times, people in these fields do not have consistent days off, which can make planning vacations and even day-to-day activities difficult. If you plan on marrying a police officer, you will have to be prepared to essentially plan your lives around his or her schedule. This can become complicated even further if you decide to start a family.
Risk of Injury and Death on the Job
Of course, in any public service field such as that of being a cop or firefighter, there is always a higher risk of being injured on the job. After all, these first responders find themselves constantly in dangerous emergency situations, whether it be apprehending a dangerous suspect, fighting a blazing fire, or anything in between. Of course, these workers receive extremely in-depth training to prepare them for these kinds of situations, but the unfortunate truth remains that the line of work of a police officer or firefighter is unpredictable and injuries and deaths do occur. Therefore, if you plan on marrying somebody in these fields, then you will have to be emotionally prepared for something like this to potentially happen.
Aside from being concerned for the safety and well being of your spouse, marrying a police officer can also come with an inherent risk to yourself and your family. This has unfortunately become especially true in the past year or so, as several officers, deputy sheriffs, and even prosecutors have been killed and had their families killed as well. The sad truth is that, in these fields, doing one’s job can entail angering the wrong person and you could end up getting caught up in the situation as well.
Pride Above All
Overall, it is good to know about the potential risks and stresses that come along with being married to a police officer or other emergency responder. But, it’s also important to remember the tremendous pride you will feel at being a partner with someone who has dedicated their life to protecting the welfare of others. The admiration and respect deserved by all of these public servants overshadows the inherent risks posed by their calling.
About the Author
Adrian Brown is a police officer’s wife and is also currently pursuing a degree in emergency management. She contributes regularly to resources about education and law enforcement, such as Emergency Management Degree Program Guide.