Summary of "경찰 절대로 하면 안되는 4가지 유형 / 이런 사람은 경찰 들어오는 거 도시락 싸들고 말립니다 / 경찰 합격보다 내 적성이 경찰에 맞는지가 중요 / 경찰 합격하고 그만 두는 길"

Overview

A 22-year veteran police officer outlines who should not join the police and why, based on firsthand experience with violent scenes, shift work, organizational politics, and mental-health consequences. The speaker recommends that if you meet two or more of the warning criteria below, prepare for another civil service job instead of the police.

If you meet two or more of the intolerance criteria (can’t tolerate gore, shift work, abuse, or internal corruption), prepare to pursue a different civil service career.

Key points — lifestyle and job realities

Trauma and exposure to gore

Officers frequently encounter severely injured people, corpses, and suicides. Repeated exposure can cause lasting trauma (PTSD), sleep paralysis, need for counseling, and reliance on alcohol to sleep.
If you cannot handle seeing, smelling, or touching serious injuries or dead bodies, do not become a police officer.

Shift work and sleep disruption

More than ~70% of police staff work shifts. Local police make up nearly 50% and many other units (criminal investigation, traffic accident, women & youth) rotate shifts.
Even desk or internal staff are required to do night duty at least once every 2–3 weeks.
Shift work is physically and mentally taxing, with major health impacts; many officers leave the force because of it.

Frequent exposure to abuse and violence

Local response officers handle tens of thousands of emergency calls over a career. Many encounters involve criminals, mentally ill people, or intoxicated persons who may spit, hit, bite, or assault officers.
Using force carries legal risk: the speaker cites a court ruling ordering an active officer to pay 400 million won after subduing a woman, illustrating the potential liability.
The organization tends to prefer officers who can endure, stay composed, and tolerate unfair treatment rather than react impulsively.

Organizational culture and corruption

Promotions, transfers, and desirable postings often depend on connections rather than merit; nepotism and internal rot are significant frustrations.
The speaker left the force partly because of this systemic problem.

Practical advice / actionable takeaways

If you meet two or more of the intolerance criteria (can’t tolerate gore, shift work, abuse, or internal corruption), prepare to pursue a different civil service career.
Expect frequent night duties and long-term shift schedules; plan your lifestyle and health management accordingly.
Be mentally prepared for repeated exposure to violence and insults; develop coping strategies and seek counseling early if needed.
Understand legal limits on use of force and document/report incidents carefully to reduce liability.
Be realistic about internal politics; networking and connections often influence transfers and promotions.

Notable mentions

Speaker: former police officer with 22 years of service (personal anecdotes and reasons for quitting).
Units referenced: local police/sub-station, Criminal Investigation Division, Traffic Accident Investigation Section, Women & Youth Section.
Event/location example: Insadong (used as an example of transfer/promotion timing).
Legal case cited: recent ruling ordering an active-duty officer to pay 400 million won after subduing a woman (used to illustrate legal risk).