by Karen Moore

Created on: November 17, 2008   Last Updated: February 05, 2011

The desire to work in law enforcement comes from within. It can start with a desire to help people, to try and make a difference in one's community or attempt change after being victimized. The responses to the question why someone wants to get into law enforcement obtained during interviews are as varied as the people themselves.

Getting into law enforcement can be a daunting task with all the requirements that must be met. Common sense combined with intelligence and an ability to adapt and learn is looked for when interviewing potential candidates. Those with high morals are also sought after. Being physically fit is a must to meet the rigors of the job. Lack of drug use and criminal activities are required, as is a person who is stable, so job history, relationships and financial matters will be looked at.

Most agencies have an age requirement of 21 to apply to become an officer. Nationwide, agencies are finding it difficult to recruit qualified candidates and salary ranges for law enforcement officers are the main reason cited. However, law enforcement officers work 24/7 365 days a year. A 20 year career of rotating shifts, working holidays and weekends can take a toll on family life and physical well being. Combine the nature of the job with the low pay and most of those qualified candidates are seeking careers elsewhere. 

Yet, a few dedicated individuals still seek to make law enforcement their career it gets in your blood. You may opt to start your career by obtaining either a two or four year degree in criminal justice. When you first hit the streets you will feel like the book learning did nothing to prepare you for the reality of what the job is, but it does help compliment everything else you will learn. That degree will also be beneficial in the court room and for later promotions into investigative or supervisory positions.

After the weeks (sometimes months) of going through the hiring process with an agency the news that you have been selected is like winning the lottery. Obtaining your new uniforms and gear feels like Christmas. Then the struggle of getting through the police academy begins. It will be similar to school, but much more intense as a certain percentage has to be obtained to stay in the program. If you don't pass you have to leave the program and not every agency is willing to do remedial training with someone they have invested so much time and money into.

The police academy is a strict regimen of curriculum designed by the

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