Law Enforcement Career Center

The right career. Right now.

Working as a police officer can be a highly stressful and even dangerous job. However, if you seek justice and like adventure in your life becoming a police officer can be a rewarding career for you.

A formal education in law enforcement, criminal justice, psychology, or military training can offer the greatest opportunities.

Law Enforcement Facts and Stats:

Police Officer Job Duties:
Police officers protect the lives and property of citizens. They pursue criminals and issue citations or give warnings to those found breaking the law. Most police officers have a jurisdication they spend a portion of their day patroling. They also write reports and record the events that take place.

Police Officer Work Environment:
Police officers spend a their days in an office, writing reports and maintaining records, and out patroling in their jurisdiction. There is a high level of stress associated with police work and in addition to the mental stress, there is often a high level of physical activity involved.

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Police Officer Education and Training:
The minimum educational requirement to become a police officer is a High School education. Some positions require 1-2 years worth of college level classes or even a college degree. Recruits usually train through the police academy or a State academy. This training sessions often last 12 - 14 weeks.

Becoming a Police Officer
Law Enforcement Training

Police Officer Salaries:
Police patrol officers earned between $35,600 and $59,880 per year as reported by the Occupational Employment Statistics survey program. The pay for other positions is usually higher. Police captains earn a base salary between $65,408 and $81,466. Police chief's earn a base salary between $78,547 and $99,698.

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