It’s hard to know if you’re cut out for a certain career path before you actually go through the educational requirements and get a job in the field. But by that point, you’ve already invested a lot of time, money, and energy in the process. If you want to get into a field like law enforcement, you really need to know if it’s something you want to do before you start working on the requirements.
But what’s fact and what’s fiction in law enforcement careers? How much of what you see on TV is true and what’s just exaggerated for the sake of a storyline? Here’s what you need to know about what you can expect from a career in law enforcement.
What are the Career Options in Law Enforcement?
When people think “law enforcement,” they usually jump straight to a police officer. But there are so many different jobs in the field that it’s important to understand your options before you decide on a law enforcement career path. If you want to be out on the streets, doing your part to prevent crime, then perhaps being a police officer is the right choice. But it’s also far from the only option.
Many people who have great deductive skills would make excellent detectives. Detectives don’t sit on the side of the road and issue speeding tickets or respond directly to 911 calls, they investigate crimes. Other people who are interested in the scientific side of law enforcement might want to get into a forensics job to do a deep dive into evidence.
If you want to be involved in improving the entire criminal justice system, then a good fit might be criminology. Criminologists study crime and criminals, providing science-based findings to help reduce crime and make the criminal justice system more equitable. They might study bias in policing, perform criminal profiling, and look at crime trends as a whole.
Law enforcement is a complex system with many different career paths. Whether you want to work in direct service or look at the bigger picture, there’s a job out there to suit your skills and interests.
Is it True That Most Law Enforcement Officials Come From Similar Backgrounds?
Many people believe that you need to have a very specific background to succeed in law enforcement. You might think that family background in policing or a history of working in the security field is necessary to get your foot in the door, but that isn’t true. People of many different backgrounds get into law enforcement including social work.
Some people choose to get a degree in criminal justice before entering the field, but this may not be necessary depending on your career goals. Rest assured that if your interest is strong enough, you should be able to do well in the field.
Is it True You Have to be a Certain Age and Fitness Level to go into Law Enforcement?
Some people who want to get into law enforcement are concerned about their age or fitness level. But is this really a cause for concern? Well, it depends.
Age isn’t really that important as long as a candidate passes the other requirements. With that said, there are some physical requirements for becoming a police officer, which can vary quite a bit. Other jobs are not nearly as physical and may not require any fitness tests.
Law enforcement jobs can be competitive in some areas. Younger candidates who are physically fit might gain an edge in these regions, but again, it depends on the job!
Making a Difference in an Uncertain Time
It’s not an easy time to be in law enforcement, with political unrest and law enforcement distrust on the rise. However, people who are passionate about keeping their communities safe can make a difference and help promote peace in their communities. If you want to climb the ladder in law enforcement, you can help to guide the future of the field and help to ensure a positive relationship between citizens and law enforcement.
Take your time when deciding on a career path. Working in law enforcement can be challenging, but very rewarding. Talk to people in the field, do your research, and think about what you really want from your career before making your final decision.
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