For many people from all levels of society, there is a deep desire to protect the rights and safety of citizens. If you are the type of person who would actively report a crime if you witnessed one, or would rush to assist a stranger in their hour of need, then a career in policing may be the ideal vocation for you. There are a range of roles within policing and justice, but all serve the greater aim of protecting the public from crime and making the world a safer place to live in.
If you are considering a career in policing, then there are several principal factors to consider first. In this article six of the key facts about policing and law enforcement careers will be discussed. This will help you to determine if a career in this field is suitable for you.
You are prepared to undertake higher qualifications
There are multiple career paths that fit under the broad terms of policing and law enforcement. Clearly, the role of police officer is the one that springs to the minds of most people, but there are numerous routes to specialization within the field of crime prevention, enforcement, and criminal justice. Many of the roles within this occupation require higher levels of education and the attainment of qualifications that will allow you to be considered for work.
One key route into policing is by gaining a bachelor’s degree police officer qualification. Such degrees will give you a deeper understanding of criminology, forensics, the court system, and social work, to name just a few topics of study. Prior crime prevention and policing experience is not required for such qualifications so it can be the starting point for a career in law enforcement in many cases.
Depending on where you want your career to lead, you may also opt to undertake further learning to allow specialization in specific areas of crime prevention and law enforcement. In short, you must be prepared to embrace lifelong learning to enter the field of work and progress your career.
You cope well under stress
Many roles within law enforcement and criminology require you to cope well in (sometimes) highly stressful situations. A police officer must be able to apprehend criminals and deal with fraught scenes of crime or civil disruption whilst maintaining control of the situation and ensuring the safety of the wider public. In addition, roles such as crime scene investigator or forensic specialist will involve the analysis of scenes where serious crimes have taken place.
Clearly this line of work is not for the faint hearted as these scenes often contain graphic evidence of serious violence and death. More information on the effects of stressful situations that can be part of policing life, along with ways to reduce their impact, can be seen here.
You have a desire to improve communities
The work of law enforcement and crime prevention can be grueling and highly stressful. However, underpinning this challenging work is the benefits it offers society. Effective police departments and crime agencies can radically improve the lives and environments of local communities, making the general public feel safer and confident to speak up when they witness crime.
Today’s modern world of law enforcement is also heavily involved with the social aspects of communities and plays a key role in public education. Today in America, policing can also overlap into the schools system, where key roles on educating students about gun crime and the effects of crime on society and individuals are discussed. Partly, this has been because of a number of school shootings that have tragically occurred in recent months and years.
In communities, many law enforcement agencies have community police specialists. These staff can create strong bonds between neighborhoods and the police force and help to improve safety and reduce crime in areas where it can be rife. In short, the desire to improve communities is a key attribute for any law enforcement professional.
You thrive off varied work
If you are person who craves routine and likes repetitive tasks during your working week then you are unlikely to find that work in the field of law enforcement is a good fit for you.
Many fields of law enforcement offer roles where no two days are the same. A police officer could be patrolling local neighborhoods on one shift, before reacting to a serious road traffic accident or major crime only moments later with minimal notice.
The ability to constantly adapt to changing tasks is a key one in law enforcement. In addition, the working day is unlikely to follow a conventional 9-5 pattern. Overtime in law enforcement is a frequent practice and some specialist staff such as firearms teams or investigators may be called on for assistance at any hour of the day. Clearly, the need to be flexible and relish a varied workload are key traits to possess.
You like the idea of early retirement
One key benefit for many people who choose a career in law enforcement is that it involves a career that offers an earlier than normal age for retirement. This is partly a refection of the fact that law enforcement tends to be an extremely physically intensive form of work, and as such, cannot be done as effectively in later life.
Service police officers may have a full career that is only 20-25 years in duration, making it relatively short when compared to other professions. If you are the type of person who does not relish the idea of early retirement this may not appeal to you; but for many people, the idea of being able to pursue leisure interests earlier in life with a healthy retirement package is one that is extremely beneficial.
You want a career to be proud of
Many law enforcement professionals end their career knowing that they have truly had a positive impact on society in general. Police officers can be the first on scene of serious incidents, and many officers will know that their actions have directly helped people—and some may have even saved the lives of the public during their careers. To know that you have made a difference to local communities can serve as a highly motivating reminder of the value of your work.