Riverside sheriff dept

Hello I’m debating on joining the riverside sheriff department or do I take the time and get into trade school. I’m 27, I have a wife and two kids and I am ready to change careers. I’m miserable.

I’ve always wanted to be a LEO and I’ve already applied but after doing a ride along and hearing what all the other deputies were saying I’m now skeptical on is it worth it considering the dangers, pay and other bullshit you have to deal with.

I loved the ride along and i enjoyed every bit of it and it was absolutely wild, but is dealing with all that bs worth the 80k (long days, mental exhaustion, overtime, not seeing ur family due to sleeping during the day and working nights) starting pay and can I hit 100k as a rookie?

I really would like to shoot for 100k, I make 80k now at my current job but I’m miserable and there’s no room for promotion. I’m also debating on chp? Is chp worth it, I’ve heard you just sit on the freeway ur whole career and it’s boring. Is it worth the 120k starting pay.

Do I join and make the sacrifices needed to provide for my family? (Which I’m totally willing to do as a man) Or do I join a local union and get into an apprenticeship and become an operator, carpenter, plumber etc.

What’s your guys experience being LEO and what would you recommend me doing considering my situation? What would you do differently if you were me? Again I’m 27 and I’ve always respected and wanted to be a LEO since high school.

Feel free to ask questions, thank you.