As with many jobs, law enforcement careers include on-the-job training, regular salary increases, good benefits, and opportunities for career advancement. The positive attributes to having a career in law enforcement do not end there, however.
The variety of jobs from which to choose makes law enforcement an attractive career option. For someone who wishes to work at the local government level, law enforcement career options include municipal police officer, private security guard, and corrections officer positions. At the state level of law enforcement there are jobs available as state troopers and even highway patrol officers. Federal law enforcement jobs can either be investigative or uniformed in nature. A Federal job is one which you enforce the laws and codes of the United States of America. Some of these jobs include the Druge Enforcement Agency and ATF. Uniformed jobs, such as those in the Secret Service or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are those that provide for the safety and security of government officials, federal buildings, and land.
Working in law enforcement also provides a level of job security not seen in other careers. Although it is unfortunate that crime and security concerns persist in the United States, these issues, combined with increases in our population, generate consistent demand for competent, qualified police officers. It is estimated that by the year 2016 there will be over 100,000 law enforcement officers employed in the United States. Police officers have opportunities for career advancement, along with an increased salary. They have generous pension plans that allow them to retire in their forties if they so choose. And although local budgets dictate the number of police positions available in a given municipality, any officer who is laid off can immediately apply for work in another agency.
Law enforcement jobs are generally worked in shifts. Most of these shifts are 12 hour shifts, although there are some departments that do have 8hr shifts. Scheduling for 12-hour shifts allows for a three-day weekend every other weekend, which contributes to an increase in employee morale.
Law enforcement careers also offer financial benefits. Federal law enforcement employees receive special salary rates, and because of the overtime hours they are expected to work, some receive law enforcement availability pay (LEAP), equal to 25 percent of the employee’s salary grade. Many local and state police also get overtime hours. This results in their actual pay being much higher than their original salary. Most law enforcement officers are even provided with a uniform allowance by their department. Many police officers retire at half-pay after completing 20 years of service; this relatively early retirement allows these individuals to go on to pursue second careers if they wish.
To say law enforcement and criminal justice careers can be fulfilling is probably an understatement. Even with all the benefits, many people enter law enforcement simply because it is an interesting, meaningful career that gives them opportunities to help serve and protect others. Although the risks and dangers of the job can be high, the challenges presented, the teamwork, and the sense of accomplishment can be very rewarding. People who work in law enforcement do so because they want to, not because they have to.