Law Enforcement

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Become A Law Enforcement Officer

Do you pride yourself on your sound judgment, honesty and strong personal integrity? Do you have a strong desire to serve your community and your country? If you can imagine committing yourself to keeping your neighbors and fellow citizens safe and secure, you might consider a career in law enforcement.

Law Enforcement in a Nutshell

There's a lot more to law enforcement than becoming a police officer and engaging in Hollywood-style car chases and putting the "bad guys" behind bars. The field of law enforcement includes a wide array of career paths, such as detectives, FBI and secret service agents, fish and game wardens, US border control officers, homeland security officers and more. Because each position requires distinct personality types, educational backgrounds, and experiences, you should research several of the branches that may interest you.

Education Requirements for Law Enforcement Officers

Before you can start wearing a badge, consider these the education and testing requirements:

Most law enforcement agencies require that you possess a high school diploma or GED; some departments require a year or two of college coursework in political science or criminal studies. Federal and state agencies often seek college-educated applicants.
You must meet civil service regulations to qualify for local, federal and state law enforcement positions. These regulations state that you must be a US citizen, at least 20 years old, and pass a written exam as well as strenuous physical tests in strength, vision, agility and hearing. Applicants for positions in the Federal Government must be at least 21, but less than 37, years old. In addition, many positions require that you pass criminal background checks and security clearances.

Day in the Life of a Law Enforcement Officer

Law enforcement officers often work 40-hour weeks, although paid overtime is common. Law enforcement is generally not a 9-to-5 job; since governments at all levels must offer their citizens protection around the clock, officers can be scheduled to work shifts at any time of the day.

As a junior officer, you can expect to start your career by working the less savory "graveyard" shifts, and on weekends and holidays. However, once you have achieved a certain level of tenure within your department, you can begin to receive preferred work schedules and excellent benefits. If you choose to be a Federal agent, such as those in the Secret Service and FBI, you may travel extensively, and often on very short notice. You may also be required to relocate several times throughout your career.

Job Growth for Law Enforcement Officers

The number of job openings for law enforcement officers depends on the level of allocated government spending. Therefore, job opportunities can vary yearly and from locale to locale. However, employment of police and detectives is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014.