Law Enforcement Official

What is a law enforcement official?

Law enforcement officials are responsible for maintaining a safe community by ensuring that citizens follow proscribed laws and removing individuals who may be a disturbance to public safety. The vast majority of law enforcement officials are police officers who work for city, county, or state governments, policing highways and streets. Law enforcement officials are also responsible for investigating crime scenes and citizen reports. Police officers must often utilize force in their day-to-day jobs, for which they are highly trained. Officers are also trained to assess situations, as they sometimes have only a few seconds to determine how to react. Law enforcement officials are sometimes asked to provide security at major community events or for political visits.

The federal government also employs many law enforcement officials. The FBI manages most high-profile criminal cases, while the department of homeland security generally handles international crime and terrorism. The federal government also employs law enforcement officials as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency, who work both domestically and internationally, and as part of the Border Patrol.

Making the decision to become a law enforcement official is a brave and commendable one, and should be made after an individual has asked him or herself several important questions, such as:

• Am I comfortable working with weapons on a regular basis?
• Do I work well in teams and partnerships?
• Can I handle working in difficult situations and high-stress environments?
• Am I willing to work long shifts at all hours of the day, as well as weekends?
• What are my long-term career goals? Am I looking for advancement opportunities?
• Am I willing to put my life in danger in the service of others?
• Can I work under intense media scrutiny?

How do I become a law enforcement official?

The minimum requirement for admittance in all law enforcement training programs is a high school diploma, though more and more police departments—especially those that are more competitive—are looking favorably on applicants who have associate’s degrees or bachelor’s degrees. Agencies encourage students to study criminal justice, police science, criminology, or administration. In some cases, law enforcement officials can receive financial assistance to help them complete their degrees while already employed. Those who seek advanced positions nearly always have some formal education, as well as many years of experience. The federal government has more strict requirements for law enforcement officials, ranging from language proficiency to technology degrees, and these positions are always highly competitive.

Young students who are interested in pursuing law enforcement should maintain an active lifestyle, possibly by participating in organized sports. Physical strength is necessary for police officers, who must meet athletic and health qualifications in order to be admitted to police academies. They must then maintain their health by taking periodic physical exams. Law enforcement officers also go through psychological testing and a background check, which often includes a polygraph exam. Law enforcement officials in the United States must be American citizens and at least 21 years old, and must complete a formal training program.

What can I expect in a career in law enforcement?

There are nearly always job openings in large cities, where there is high turnover and never enough personnel to meet a community’s needs. High-crime areas are also usually hiring, as it is difficult for them to attract applicants for the most dangerous assignments. In the coming years, the demand for law enforcement officials is expected to grow about as fast as the average, providing favorable job opportunities.

The average annual salary of a law enforcement official is $51,410, though federal workers and supervisors have considerably higher salaries.