Keeping the Law and Order - careers in law enforcement

Have you thought about a career as a police officer, bodyguard, security guard, or private investigator?

Wailing sirens. Flashing red and blue lights. On any TV channel you turn to, police dramas are illuminating the screen. Shows like NYPD Blue, Martial Law, Nash Bridges, and Pacific Blue make jobs in law enforcement look dramatic and exciting. But are the images you see on TV anything like the reality of the profession?

Police Sergeant Dave Armstrong of the Holden Police Department in Holden, Massachusetts, suggests that viewers approach police dramas with a healthy amount of skepticism. "I guess I watched plenty of police shows when I was in high school," says Sergeant Armstrong, "but a career in law enforcement isn't exactly like the TV programs or movies."

Police Officers

Most police dramas show plenty of high-speed car chases and shootouts, making a police officer's job look thrilling and dangerous. But in reality such high-danger incidents are extremely rare. The bulk of a police officer's duties include activities like stopping drivers for speeding, providing security at events, directing traffic, investigating crimes, and responding to emergency situations such as traffic accidents or domestic disturbances.

You may be surprised to learn that the first requirement for becoming a police officer is not the love of thrill or danger. Instead, it is care and concern for others. "It's essential for anyone interested in becoming a police officer to have a desire to help people," says Lieutenant Bob Wallace, public information officer of the American Federation of Police. "A police officer going in to any situation should be thinking, 'How can I help?' instead of just saying 'What's the problem here?'"

Police officers find employment in police departments at the local, state, and county levels. They may also work for special organizations such as colleges, public transportation systems, or retail stores. The employment outlook in the field is excellent. "We're going to need as many good police officers as we can get," Sergeant Armstrong says. "It's estimated that in the next few years there will be 40,000 openings for police officers in the United States."

Most police departments choose police officers through a civil service system, which involves a competitive examination. Police officers also must pass physical examinations, psychological screenings, background checks, and drug tests. Once they're accepted onto the police force, officers must complete a 12- to 14-week police academy training program. Most successful police candidates have some college courses in criminal justice under their belts or have experience in the military.

With additional training, police officers may qualify for special assignments such as bike patrol, canine (K-9) handling, harbor patrol, special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, motorcycle patrol, or horseback mounted patrol.

Police Detectives

Can you picture yourself uncovering the final clue that solves the crime, just like characters in Law and Order? Detectives collect evidence, interview suspects and other people, and frequently testify in court. They examine records, do surveillance, participate in raids, and make arrests. Generally, detectives move up to this position after several years of law enforcement experience. Most detectives also have at least an associate degree or specialized training in areas like forensic science, criminology, or advanced computer skills (for the growing problem of cybercrime).

Correctional Officers

Tom Hanks' sympathetic portrayal of a prison officer in The Green Mile might elicit an interest in careers in corrections. Correctional officers are entrusted with watching over inmates in a jail, reformatory, or penitentiary. They maintain security and monitor inmates in order to prevent disturbances, assaults, or escapes.

While college courses in criminal justice or law enforcement is a plus, many correctional officers enter the field with only a high school diploma. Correctional officers must pass physical and psychological examinations, background checks, and drug screenings. The good news is that job opportunities in this career area are expected to grow much faster than average over the next few years, but they generally don't pay as well as police officer or detective positions.

Private Investigators and Bodyguards

Like Kevin Costner's character in The Bodyguard, many former law enforcement professionals work as private investigators or bodyguards.

Private investigators work for lawyers, insurance companies, banks, and private customers to gather information for court cases, claims, or for the client's personal reasons. Bodyguards, also known as personal protection specialists, provide security for corporate and private clients.

Opportunities in the personal protection field are expanding rapidly, says Dr. Richard W. Kobetz, director of the Executive Protection Institute. "The supply of top-quality protective personnel is not keeping up with the demand. This new career field is increasing rapidly and will continue to do so."

Bodyguards must have a high school diploma or G.E.D., but many also have college degrees. Almost all private investigators and bodyguards possess special skills in security, surveillance, and investigation, which they often gain through experience in law enforcement, the military, or through training programs.

Security Guards

Security guard jobs range from workers who monitor security cameras in department stores or casinos to heavily armed guards in armored cars who transport large sums of cash.

"As a security guard, you could be guarding the most important government institutions, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the Pentagon, or the Environmental Protection Agency," says Eric Sterling, president of the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation. "In your own community, you can see security guards at work in banks, supermarkets, drug stores, and out on the street driving armored cars." These guards, Sterling points out, and those who protect airplane passengers against aircraft hijacking, are actually the federal government's front-line defense against terrorism.

In some positions guards may have limited police powers, and in many states they must be licensed. As can be expected, pay varies widely among positions depending on the level of danger and requirements of the job.

Getting Started

While high school programs may provide a foundation of knowledge and skills in law enforcement, they don't directly prepare students for jobs in this complex career area. If you're interested in exploring law enforcement careers and your school doesn't offer criminal justice courses, contact your local police department or Scouting Council to see if there's a Law Enforcement Explorer program in your area. Explorer programs give young adults a chance to work side-by-side with police officers on a volunteer basis.

Future law enforcement officers need to seriously consider further education in criminal justice at two-year colleges. Many go on to get their bachelor's degree. If college isn't in your future, think about signing up for the active or reserve armed forces where you can gain valuable training and experience in one of the military police forces. Military service also gives you an advantage over other candidates in most civil service systems.

Our country will need as many good law enforcement officers as possible in the near future to protect citizens, enforce laws, and keep our streets safe. Who knows, maybe a television show or movie will be based on your career.

                             SALARY STATS [*]
                         1999 average salaries in
                             law enforcement:
Police Officers       $41,013
Detectives [*]        $46,305
Correctional Officers $32,077
Private Detectives    $26,565
Security Guards       $18,900
(unarmed)
(*.)Salaries vary greatly, depending on location and
level of experience.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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