Law Enforcement
Police and Detective Work
Though it is a known fact that law enforcement can be hazardous and taxing, it is one of the most lucrative career fields. Not only are there a plethora of opportunities in local police departments, but the ability to work for state or federal is probable.
In many people’s eyes, the ability to develop and succeed in the law enforcement field is overwhelming. Officers enjoy the thought that they are helping their community, and take it upon themselves to do what is best for citizens. Surprisingly, retirement is possible after twenty years on a force. Many officers find themselves retiring with a pension plan when they are 40, and begin a second career. For this very reason, many people feel that the law enforcement field is lucrative, especially in regards to benefits. Unfortunately, such advantages bring thousands of qualified employees to the table. This makes competition fierce, resulting in strict qualifications when police forces hire new officers. In order to truly succeed, one should start off in a local department or in a community where crime is relatively high. With college training in police science and military, the opportunities should be endless.
As safety continues to become a large concern around the globe, it is no surprise why people are predicting that employment opportunities in law enforcement will increase rapidly by 2012. However, the amount of employment positions truly depends on how much the government is willing to spend. As a result, differences may vary as the years go by. Nonetheless, there are rarely lay offs in this field. If there are, there is little to no difficulty in finding another stable position. Due to the fact that retirement and transfers are frequent, there are always job openings at hand.
Training Required for Police and Detectives
In order to become a police officer, one must at least be a 20 year old U.S. citizen. In addition, he/she absolutely has to possess strength and determination. Without being physically fit, it will be quite difficult to keep up with the rigorous demands. If one is interested in serving the federal government, they not only have to be at least 21 years old, but cannot exceed the age of 37. Moreover, physical exams are performed which include hearing and vision tests, as well as strength and agility training. Though the majority of law enforcement positions only require a high school education, federal jobs often seek people who have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Amazingly, potential police officers also must be very personable. Not only should they possess integrity, determination, honesty, good judgment and responsibility, but they need to enjoy speaking to the public. In most cases, law enforcement agencies will actually analyze an individual’s behavior. Through psychiatric evaluations and lie detector exams, applicants must always tell the truth. While these sound like harsh circumstances, other agencies go as far as asking for a random drug test each week.
When beginning their first days on the job, police officers generally take a training course. For up to 14 weeks, police officers who are participating in state agencies are trained at a police academy. If they are working at smaller agencies, they often train at a state academy. This usually consists of becoming familiar with state laws, civil right information, patrol, traffic control, how to use a firearm, self defense, first aid, as well as accident investigation. Often time’s when there are a number of open positions, departments like to hire high school graduates, who are underneath the minimum age. This allows them to train and do administrative tasks, while they wait to join the actual force.
In the law enforcement field, the ability to rise up is plausible. However, one must get past the probation period. This usually consists of 6 months to 3 years, which proves to the department that the officer is dedicated.fficer is working in a large agency, they often are asked to become a detective or choose one specific sub-set. This may range from working with juveniles to local crime. Determined by examination scores and how well they actually do out in the field, officers can undoubtedly become corporal, sergeant, lieutenants, and captain.
Looking to become an FBI agent? The steps to get there are a bit trickier. One must have obtained a degree from an accredited law school, or have a fluency in foreign language and at least three years of work experience. Upon acceptance, agents are trained for at least 16 weeks at the prominent U.S. Marine Corps base in Virginia.
If you are truly interested in joining the law enforcement industry, you must be serious about your endeavors. While a college degree is certainly beneficial, you also must be in great health. Therefore, many recommend that you train, exercise, and continuously prepare for physical challenges. Moreover, knowing a foreign language is also essential, if you want to work at the Federal level. Without this talent, the ability to climb the ladder will not be as easy.
Are you already part of the force, but just can’t seem to advance? Many officers and detectives are finding themselves taking additional courses. From training programs to online degrees, this is a great way to keep up-to-date on skills and information. Nevertheless, the most popular method is training through a state or federal program. One can never have enough guidance in firearms, self defense techniques, communication skills, and how to control a large crowd. You simply never know what kind of situation is going to arise, which is even more reason to train accordingly.
If you feel that becoming a police officer is just not for you, there are related fields. From correctional officers to private detectives, security guards, and gaming surveillance officers – anything is possible, as long as you have a passion for it. In order to find out more information regarding requirements, please check the federal, state, and local agency websites. Desperate to become an FBI agent? At FBI.gov, the sky is certainly the limit.