Have you long had an interest in law enforcement? If so, you are not alone! In fact, more people then ever are currently applying to join this elite group of people – and for good reason! Although people working in the law enforcement industry aren’t always appreciated for what they are worth, they do enjoy the lowest turnover rate of just about any career. So, if you are interested in a career in criminal justice, here are a few things you need to know.

Exploring Your Options

First, you should know that there are a wide variety of different opportunities and positions you can pursue within the criminal justice field. In addition to positions that are available through city, county and state departments, a number of federal agencies are looking for law enforcement professionals as well. These include:

· ATF
· CIA
· Customs
· FBI
· National Park Service
· U.S. Marshals

The good news is that you don’t have to have a criminal justice degree, be 22-years-old and be perfectly fit to pursue a career in law enforcement. In fact, if you are between the ages of 20 and 36, you are a United States citizen, you have a high school diploma and you meet certain minimum physical requirements, you may qualify for a position within the law enforcement field. Of course, having a college degree will help you obtain higher level jobs and positions within certain fields.

Understanding the Job

Although television and movies show a whole lot of excitement for law enforcement officers, the reality is that much of an officer’s time is spent making phone calls, completing paperwork and filing documents. Since officers must clearly document their cases, they must also pay a high level attention to detail.

Most law enforcement officers do not face a significant amount of action, such as gunfights, on a regular basis either. Of course, you will likely be required to carry a gum, but most law enforcement officials aren’t involved in this much excitement. The exact duties you will have will be largely dependent upon the field you pursue. Many officers, for example, choose to specialize in areas such as:

· Bicycle patrol
· Canine corps
· Fingerprint identification
· Firearms instruction
· Forensics
· Handwriting
· Harbor patrol
· Horseback patrol
· Motorcycle patrol

Of course, you can also pursue a career in law enforcement without actually being an officer. A number of support personnel positions, such as computer operator, office worker and psychological counselors, are also available.

Knowing the Downsides

Although there are certainly many benefits to working within the law enforcement field, it is important for anyone who is considering a career in this field to be aware of the potential downfalls. The reality is that a career in law enforcement can be quite emotionally and physically demanding. Some officers are witness to gruesome crime scenes and are called upon to interact with criminals on a regular basis. In addition, unexpected travel does occur and working overtime happens so often that is it considered to be normal. As a result, a law enforcement officer may miss out on birthdays and anniversaries on occasion.

Examining the Benefits

Although there are some downsides to being a law enforcement officer, there are plenty of benefits as well. Although there are certainly careers available that pay a higher salary, law enforcement officers did earn a median annual salary of $37,310 in 1998. In addition, they enjoy excellent pension plans that allow them to easily retire while in their 50s.