| Law enforcement is one of the most exciting, | | | | most important, is to remember that to be a law |
| important, and demanding fields. A lot of young | | | | enforcement officer requires that your own |
| people see the glamour of a law enforcement | | | | personal life be of the highest standard. It is |
| career, but fail to understand the amount of | | | | impossible to enforce laws unless you abide by |
| preparation that is needed. They might spend | | | | them yourself. Remember that a background |
| their time looking through a catalog admiring the | | | | investigation is part of each level's requirements. |
| Blackhawk tactical gear and the amazing Surefire | | | | You need to be aware that any type of criminal |
| flashlights, and dream of James Bond type | | | | background in your record is going to disqualify |
| adventures. There is nothing wrong with this kind | | | | you. It is important to consider even your financial |
| of dreaming, and Blackhawk gear certainly is the | | | | matters. A very bad credit history can also harm |
| best you can find once you become a law | | | | your chances. |
| enforcement officer. The problem is becoming | | | | It is important to pay attention to your education, |
| one. | | | | and your school record. It is a very wrong |
| There are three levels of law enforcement type | | | | stereotype to think of police officers as |
| jobs. They are local, State, and Federal. The local | | | | uneducated dummies. A modern law enforcement |
| level consists of City and Country police officers. | | | | officer needs to be highly educated. Most positions |
| The requirements are, usually, an Associate | | | | will require an associate degree, and many will be |
| Degree in Criminal Justice, a physical fitness test, | | | | looking for a bachelor's degree. It is never too |
| and a complete background investigation. The | | | | early to investigate the requirements for a |
| State level requirements are mostly the same, | | | | degree in Criminal Justice, and schedule the |
| but you also must be willing to relocate anywhere | | | | necessary courses to make sure you qualify. |
| within the State. The Federal level consists of | | | | If you are serious about this career choice, you |
| several agencies including the FBI, and the DEA, or | | | | should be aware of the physical fitness demands |
| Drug Enforcement Agency. A Federal Law | | | | of almost every law enforcement position. Live |
| enforcement position will require a four year | | | | healthy, stay fit, keep out of trouble, and work |
| Bachelor's degree. Many four year colleges offer a | | | | hard in school are all preparations for law |
| degree in Criminal Justice. Each level also has | | | | enforcement careers. If this does not seem too |
| academies where specific training is given. | | | | demanding, you might be the kind of person who |
| If you are serious about a career in Law | | | | will be able to prosper in this demanding career |
| Enforcement, there are several things that you | | | | field. |
| can do to prepare. The first, and maybe the | | | | |