A law enforcement career is an exciting career choice.  In law enforcement, you will be exposed to things that most people cannot even fathom.  Not only is law enforcement exciting, it is rewarding too.  Serving your community and making a positive difference on a daily basis.

Law enforcement is a diverse career path too.  You can serve in large urban areas to small municipalities.  There is the county sheriff and the state trooper.  Different agencies offer new and diverse challenges on a daily basis.  There is one that will suit you, wheter it is your hometown or neighborhood to something completely new.  No matter where you travel or make your home there is a law enforcement officer preserving our way of life in every county in the United States. 

No matter the geographic location, there will be opportunities to specialize within law enforcement.  Whether it is traffic enforcement, gangs, drug interdiction, canine, range master, defensive tactics, investigations, crime scene investigation, or many other specialties there is one sure to interest you.

Law enforcement is no doubt exciting and rewarding.  Law enforcement is also rewarding in that it is a stable government job with good pay and great benefits.  That is right, contrary to popular belief, law enforcement officers bring home a healthy and steady paycheck.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics Survey, the average annual salary for police and sheriff’s patrol officers was $53,540.  This is compared to all other occupations combined which is $44,410 (as of May 2010).  The facts are clear, a career in law enforcement pays well.  You will earn a great living while serving the community you live in.

As a law enforcement officer there are opportunities to make additional money outside of your base pay.  These can include:

·         Shift differential pay for working nights and/or weekends

·         Education and language pay

·         Overtime or “comp” time (additional vacation hours) for working longer hours or going to court

·         Ability to work part-time law enforcement related security jobs

·         Clothing allowance for uniforms and/or equipment

·         Hazard pay for those officers assigned to specialty units

When you are looking into different agencies be sure to look past just the salary.  You should consider all of the benefits, including insurance, retirement packages, tuition reimbursement, take-home patrol vehicles, vacation and sick time.  Retirement benefits, for instance, usually exceed those offered in the private sector.  Many law enforcement officers can sometimes retire after 20 years.  Remember that law enforcement agencies are usually part of a bigger government entity which as a group are often offered additional benefits including:  discounted cell phone service, health club bills, group insurance rates, additional investment programs, to name a few.

There are multiple federal government programs that also provide benefits to law enforcement officers.  These programs include student loan forgiveness, The Good Neighbor Program, and The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program (www.psob.gov), to name a few.

Even with all these benefits aside, law enforcement officers have great job security.  That is something you and your family can count on for years to come.

The bottom line is law enforcement is a wonderful career choice with great benefits.

Law enforcement is a career like no other to put it plainly, it is exciting.  Everyday will be different, with new challenges, fast-paced situations, and the opportunity to serve your community.  If you like the thought of working in dynamic work place, solving problems, and being in the know, then law enforcement is for you.