Do cops and COs act the same when they are off duty?

[jamie c]

Most of the cops and COs I've had seem pretty strict people and don't seem to be able to take a joke. When you see some say on TV or in other places they seem a bit easier.

Just wondering if your one is it like an act you put on for your job or do you get trained to be that way or are you more or less the same off duty?

[cclover _]

When Police officers and Correctional officers are off duty, we tend to get rid of the "game face". We have to take our jobs seriously, but that's not to say that we also can't take a joke or two while on duty. I know there are some officers out there (in both fields) that can't "seem" to take a joke, but we are humans as well with a sense of humor. (we even sit down and eat occasionally)

[ihop]

I'm a very easy going person and somewhat of a class clown. If you were to be "on duty" all the time, 24/7 it would eventually take its toll on you. When I'm off, I don't even want to think about work. I'm not saying that I don't like what I do, in fact I love it and wouldn't want to do anything else. But it's important to get away from time to time and recharge those batteries.
I don't hang out with any of my cop buddies when I'm off.

[Todd B]

I'm pretty laid back all the time. I know when it's time to be serious and when I can have fun. It's not an "act" when I'm talking to or yelling at someone. It's my job.