There are over 800,000 police officers in the United States and every year more than six-thousand people decide to go into law enforcement. Being a police officer continues to be a job in high demand. It is a great way to serve your city and give back to the community you grew up in. Serving and protecting your community is a huge responsibility. Being a police officer pushes your mental and physical capabilities to their peak level of performance.
Training
Police officers have to go through the proper training or schooling to teach them the skills they’ll need to properly serve and protect their community. At the heart of this training is the intimate relationship you’ll have with the requisite gear. In addition to the commonly known items like a holster and footwear, technology has introduced items like body armor and conceal carry clothing.
These innovative products have become essential in an officer’s safety. Many departments will require you to purchase your own gear, and in so doing one would be smart to take their purchase selection seriously. Case in point – a Galls concealed carry undershirt allows an officer to properly conceal their firearm so it’s undetectable.
Not every police recruit is fresh out of school or in their mid 20s. Many people decide to take a career in law enforcement after serving in a similar field. Depending on the department you join, some may have maximum age requirements. Many police agencies will only require that their applicants are able to fulfill the physical and mental requirements that come with the job.
Regardless of your previous line of work, having any sort of life experience will serve you well as a police officer. A law enforcement career will provide you with long-term stability and a sense of accomplishment that few other jobs can offer. If you are unsure about joining the police department, you may first want to try a volunteer position or joining your local neighborhood watch.
You might also want to try a ride-along position or visiting a police academy, these are great ways for you to gain insight. If you are on the fence about deciding your career, here are a variety of reasons to join the police department.
Reasons to Join the Police Department
Salary
Being a police officer has a variety of benefits. Law enforcement plays an important part in today’s society which is why police officers command such a high salary, making between sixty, and eighty-thousand dollars yearly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average starting pay for a police officer is sixty-thousand a year. They are usually given better retirement packages and insurance options that many employers will not offer. Law enforcement jobs offer you opportunities for advancing your career. With enough experience, you’ll be able to advance to a higher position, possibly a detective. The higher positions come with a generally higher pay grade.
Serving the Community
Another reason people choose to become a police officer is to help out their community. They dedicate their lives to serve and protect their city and earn the respect and the appreciation of their community. They work relentlessly to devote themselves to create something better for our children, and our children’s children. It is a job that provides instant gratification and will make yourself and others proud. It will also allow you to form a life-long bond with your fellow police officers, as you support each other through the good times and the bad. Law enforcement officers take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and to serve and protect its citizens; people will immediately recognize your sacrifice and dedication to serving your community.
Early Retirement
Another advantage that comes with being a police officer is it usually guarantees you an early retirement. Many officers will receive early pensions and generous retirement packages. These perks will allow you to enjoy your early retirement. Early retirement gives many former officers the opportunity to take up a second slower paced career, pursue a forgotten passion, or further their education. Most importantly, early retirement will allow you to focus more time with your family after your years of devoted service.
Opportunity to Impact People’s Lives
If you’re looking to take a leap from your mundane job, becoming a police officer might a good option for you. You will help rid your community of gang members, drug dealers, abusers, and encourage these offenders to make better decisions. You’ll have the opportunity to show these people a better way and hopefully, have a lasting influence on their lives.