| Everyday in this country thousands of brave men | | | | to a lack of discipline from parents, video games, |
| and women put on a badge. These men and | | | | and violent movies where it depicts police officers |
| women put their lives on the line, to protect all of | | | | as the bad guys. (ex: Grand Theft Auto). Another |
| us. What many of us don't realize is that the job | | | | thing the general public doesn't necessarily |
| of police officer is far more stressful, and | | | | understand is how tough it is to become a police |
| demanding than we all think. Before i began | | | | officer. Police and Sheriffs departments are very |
| studying a career in law enforcement, i was very | | | | selective on canidates, and most canidates have |
| interested. I am the grandson of a sheriffs | | | | to pass an extensive physical test, oral boards, |
| deputy, and son of a police officer. What i have | | | | polygraph, and then rigorous academy training |
| learned throughout my life, and what i know now | | | | (usually 20-35 weeks) before they go into their |
| as opposed to before, will help me in my future | | | | field training phase which usually lasts an additional |
| career greatly. | | | | 12-15 weeks. The stereotype of the old and fat |
| This year, twice as many police officers have | | | | cops a the donut shops are a thing of the past. |
| been killed in the line of duty, than last year. In | | | | Now its young, smart, and very fit men and |
| my opinion, this is mainly due to easier accessibility | | | | women who are passionate about protecting the |
| to firearms, weapons, and the growing amount of | | | | citizens of their counties and towns. |
| illegal narcotics on out streets. Illegal narcotics link | | | | I tip my hat off to all law enforcement officers, |
| directly to violent crime. Another factor is our | | | | without them we would live in pandemonium. |
| juveniles who are becoming more violent and | | | | Thanks for all you do. You ladies and gentlemen |
| willing to due wrong than ever before. This is due | | | | aren't getting the credit you deserve. |