Aspirations of becoming a police officer often stem from childhood ideals of saving people and serving the community. If these childhood dreams persist into adulthood, a law enforcement career becomes a meaningful choice. In such a fulfilling profession, professionals may take pride in donning custom police patches, symbolising their commitment to helping people and upholding the law, making a significant impact on the community they serve. There aren’t many professionals that allow a person to serve the community directly. But the few that will enable you to help people and protect the law are incredibly fulfilling jobs. For that reason, we are here to convince you why a career in law enforcement is right for you.
You get to save lives
We highly doubt that there is a reason more tempting than saving an individual’s life. Having the ability to influence and save lives in this matter is highly compelling. It gives your work a lot more meaning. Even if the work line doesn’t save lives, it still impacts the community and makes the place safer for everyone involved. So whether you work as a police officer, security professional, sheriff, deputy, or federal agent, you will play an essential role in the country’s safety.
Law enforcement careers are never boring
Any job that doesn’t impact people and allows new experiences is monotonous and boring. The excitement for adventure and experiences is another strong reason why law enforcement jobs are the right choice for you. This experience is not limited to police officers only. For example, having an online pre law degree will enable you to become an advocate or give you insightful knowledge about the law. In this field, you can advocate for your clients and defend their cases. The experiences you learn through advocacy will prove to be genuinely thrilling. What’s more, you will get to protect the wrongly accused from punishment and bring the culprit to justice.
You can impact the community you come from
Growing around the people you love and hold dear has a significant impact on your life. You get the urge to protect them, serve them, and make sure they thrive on getting the rights they deserve. So if you choose a career in law enforcement, you will get the opportunity to serve your community. For example, by becoming a police officer, you can make your community a safe place and take measures to reduce crimes. This way, you get to strengthen the relationships among the community and protect them from any harm.
You will earn an excellent salary
No one wants to struggle for minimum wage and survive on the bare minimum. In such a case, it often feels like you can’t save or progress in life. But a career in law enforcement has promising aspects to it. While it may cost a little more on the education and training front, it will eventually payout. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a police officer’s average salary is $67,000. As the position advances, the sheriff or chief of police makes up to $110,000. However, the salary average varies in different states.
With the increase in population, there is a significant increase in the demand for law enforcement jobs. So a promising career prospect, additional benefits of working in the field, and job security make law enforcement careers worth it.
You get additional benefits
As we mentioned, that salary isn’t the only attractive aspect of a job in law enforcement. For instance, law enforcement agencies offer their workers several competitive benefits. Most law enforcement agencies provide their officers a retirement plan and pension. Officers get extra pay, overtime, holidays, and an allowance if they decide to pursue a higher degree. They also get health insurance plans for themselves and their families. On top of that, officers also have the choice to retire earlier than most other professions.
There is plenty of room for career advancement
Another benefit of working in law enforcement agencies is that you will get plenty of opportunities to advance your career. Law enforcement agencies consist of a hierarchical structure of command with several ranks. It opens more opportunities for growth and promotion. So when you advance in positions, you can gain benefits like higher authority, better salary, additional advantages, and societal respect.
You can work anywhere in law enforcement
From the smallest towns to the largest cities in your country, each place needs law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in the place. While each state and position may have different officers’ requirements, the basic educational requirements are the same. You can choose between local police departments, sheriff departments, and state or federal agencies. You can also decide if you want to work in government or private agencies. No matter what choice you make, there will be plenty of open positions.
Conclusion
These are some of the few reasons why a career in law enforcement is a beneficial choice. Understanding the benefits and opportunities of this career option will help you secure a better future for yourself. But most of all, you will get to serve people and protect them from crimes. So make your choice beforehand and choose the educational programs accordingly. Having a criminal justice, criminology, or related degree can help you pursue this career better. But you can also opt for higher education once you are employed.
