Pregnancy and Law Enforcement

knottie09b5929e8a0c6a84 · September 2017

Any fellow prego's in law enforcement? If so, when did you take it to your rank? What is your department policy? (My department has never had a pregnant cop.- no policy at this time. )

yesthisiskim0401 · September 2017

I'm a LEOW. Excited to see LEO's here, one way or another.
My husbands coworker was put on desk duty from the minute she told them. She didn't want to be taken off the road so she didn't tell them until about 6m pregnant. And I worried about her daily, since they don't work in the best county...

dinonugget · September 2017

Police and fire dispatcher here so slightly different situation but we have had pregnant cops at my department. At my department they go on desk duty until maternity leave because of the risk of physical trauma. We had one who waited and ended up in a fight at 14 weeks and had to tell the department after that.

momo214 · September 2017

I'm a probation officer. I have no changes to my line of work as it's slightly different than police. I don't necessarily agree with their stance because those with injuries like a broken bone aren't allowed to work in the office because of medical restrictions. When I'm 8 months pregnant I would not be able to physically defend myself like I could without a massive belly. Do you all still use your weapons and go to firearms practice? We have one coming up.

Knottie18342975 · September 2017

I used to be a cop. I got pregnant, told my department because I started having cramps on duty. They put me on desk duty, found out I was having twins, then miscarried three weeks later (10 weeks). The department had had several officers who had given birth but never one that had "announced" then miscarried. My chief told me it was my fault that I told everyone. He was very insensitive. If I were to have a "do over," I wouldn't tell my department. I would go to my doctor, get a medical restriction, and go on desk duty. You are NOT obligated to state the reason for your medical restriction until you are ready. After reviewing our policy, it started we had to tell our department 30 days before our 1st trimester ended, so at 8 weeks. I ended up leaving the department, not because of the miscarriage but because I had 1.5 hour commute each direction, on top of a 12.5 hour day. I was 38 years old at the time, recently married, and wanted to concentrate on having a baby. Since leaving LE, I had another miscarriage at 12 weeks and a healthy son, who is 7 months old. We are pregnant again and the thought of having to be on duty and "tell or not tell" my department, just didn't want to deal with it. So, taking a break until my family is complete. Look at your policy, talk to HR, and talk your OB to make the most informed decision. Good Luck! H & H 9 months!

momo214 · September 2017

@Knottie18342975 Wow. That sounds like an awful experience. How insensitive and heartless. Glad you are out and can focus on your family.

tincupchalice · September 2017

momo214 said:

I'm a probation officer. I have no changes to my line of work as it's slightly different than police. I don't necessarily agree with their stance because those with injuries like a broken bone aren't allowed to work in the office because of medical restrictions. When I'm 8 months pregnant I would not be able to physically defend myself like I could without a massive belly. Do you all still use your weapons and go to firearms practice? We have one coming up.

Not an Leo but I am a firearm instructor and I shoot throughout. Just not indoors and I don't load my own mags

momo214 · September 2017

@tincupchalice I saw in your job post you shoot so I was going to ask about that. Did your OB offer any advice or anything? My last OB was just skeptical for me to shoot late in pregnancy because there was no research done on how it could affect baby. I'm so early on at this point I'd feel more comfortable going to the range once to keep my quaLification up to date. Our range is indoor though.

tincupchalice · September 2017

momo214 said:

@tincupchalice I saw in your job post you shoot so I was going to ask about that. Did your OB offer any advice or anything? My last OB was just skeptical for me to shoot late in pregnancy because there was no research done on how it could affect baby. I'm so early on at this point I'd feel more comfortable going to the range once to keep my quaLification up to date. Our range is indoor though.

My obs have been well aware that I'm far more educated on the subject than they are hahahaha!

It boils down to two issues - noise and lead. Noise isn't an issue prior to sixteen weeks. Both noise and lead are mitigated by shooting outside. I'd be hesitant to shoot inside, personally. As long as I'm outside and take a few extra precautions for lead, I'm not worried. Both of my kids haven't had any issues either. I wasn't out much while pregnant with number two, but with number one I was running classes almost every weekend until 39.5 weeks.

momo214 · September 2017

Good to know. I'm really torn about what to do. Course of fire is only 50 rounds but indoors does throw a wrench in things. Thanks for the info!

tincupchalice · September 2017

If it's just the one time and you're careful about washing up, it's probably ok

Knottie18342975 · September 2017

Yeah, it was pretty awful but I learned a lot from the experience and I don't harbor any hard feelings. I went on a ride-a-long in April and I asked a lot of questions about the culture of the department to make sure it's where I want to apply. And we are done after baby number 2 so it won't be an issue in the future. Cheers

momo214 · September 2017

@tincupchalice Had my first OB appt today and asked about it. She had the same feelings that the one time shouldn't be an issue. I'll just take extra precautions and she even suggested I could wear like a particle/dust mask.

tincupchalice · September 2017

momo214 said:

@tincupchalice Had my first OB appt today and asked about it. She had the same feelings that the one time shouldn't be an issue. I'll just take extra precautions and she even suggested I could wear like a particle/dust mask.

That's a good idea! Just make sure the mask is rated whatever it would need to be rated to stop lead from getting through. You probably already know this but wash with cold water first, then hot and soap.

sarahjean177 · September 2017

I'm a LEO. I won't be telling my agency until after we go for a sono and see a confirmed heartbeat. Our policy says we can work until our doctor sees it as a problem and writes a note requesting a light (desk) duty assignment. My first I worked until 8 weeks. I've seen people go as long as 20 weeks

codik86 · September 2017

I'm a Probation Officer. I told my supervisor. I'm only 5 weeks so I didn't want to tell him, but I knew I should. We arrest and detain people, and assist other PO's in doing the same. I am no longer allowed to partake in any arrests, detaining defendants, or fieldwork.

momo214 · September 2017

codik86 said:

I'm a Probation Officer. I told my supervisor. I'm only 5 weeks so I didn't want to tell him, but I knew I should. We arrest and detain people, and assist other PO's in doing the same. I am no longer allowed to partake in any arrests, detaining defendants, or fieldwork.

Hello fellow PO!!

codik86 · September 2017

momo214 said:

codik86 said:

I'm a Probation Officer. I told my supervisor. I'm only 5 weeks so I didn't want to tell him, but I knew I should. We arrest and detain people, and assist other PO's in doing the same. I am no longer allowed to partake in any arrests, detaining defendants, or fieldwork.

Hello fellow PO!!

Hey @momo214! We don't carry, so it's not an issue for me.. I do wish we carried though

Someday, I hope! When do you have to qualify next?

momo214 · September 2017

@codik86 We qualify on 10/30 so about a month away. Glad you get to stay out of the field. I wish they'd let us take a break!

sarahjean177 · September 2017

I'm trying to avoid rifle qualifications like the plague right now. We qualify every 6 months so I'm going to have to redo all of them before I come back to full duty after maternity leave. If I can avoid them until I'm ready to announce at the end of October I should be good.

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