Related Posts
Did anyone here move to tech from consulting?
More Posts
Additional Posts in Law Enforcement
Do you think most cops are conservative?
Has working in corrections changed your life?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.





That's such a tough question because it depends so much on why you want to go into law enforcement and what kind of work you find interesting. There are so many job openings, so you should do some research on the job duties and expectations of each role. Some will require specific experience before applying, so you may need to start with the academy and work your way up from there. Getting a degree in criminology is another good way to learn about the different sectors. Good luck!
Each path has its own unique requirements and demands, and what works best for one person may not work for another. For me, there is no best law enforcement career because we all do this to serve society. But I do admit, some have it better than others.
Find something else to do. I wouldn’t want my my kids to do it. There’s more lucrative and healthy jobs.
Police are paid so measly. No too many regulations can barely do anything without having to justify your existence. People want to kill you for being in the uniform. Average is somewhere in the 40 k range.
Depends on your preference. Would you like an action packed type of career? Or maybe just one that collects evidence and information then making conclusions? Or maybe you want one that does the digging of someone else's personal information?
Depending on the state you are in, probation officers have quite diverse responsibilities. In some states, POs are quite similar to social workers, and in others, they are sworn peace officers who work extensively in the field and are armed.
This is what life is like for police officers. You won't become wealthy doing it, but you can earn a decent salary. You will have the chance to help people, and you might even save a few lives. You will have the opportunity to view things that the vast majority of people will never see or even be aware of. People are rarely at their best; you will only ever see them at their worst.
Choose a another career if you are entering forensics for the money. Nobody works for the government for the money, and even if there are private forensics labs, this is not a profession where you can become rich. Having said that, I maintain a comfortable standard of living and have had regular pay raises, either as a result of rising through the seniority levels or the cost of living increases we receive virtually annually.
Look into federal law enforcement as well. Talk to people in each field. Do ride alongs. Best of luck!