Law enforcement career possibilities can be found within the city police 
department and the county sheriff’s office. City police officers are responsible for enforcing local and state laws within the city limits.
New recruits usually spend time on the street patrolling a certain area of the city. Deputy sheriffs are responsible for enforcing the laws within the county in which they work.
The general requirements for most local careers in law enforcement are as follows:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must have a valid drivers license.
- Must have a high school diploma or GED.
- No felony convictions.
- Must pass a physical fitness test.
- Must pass a written entrance test.
- Must pass an oral interview.
- Complete a background investigation.
- Must pass a polygraph test.
- Must pass a psychological evaluation and medical examination.
Starting salaries vary with each department. Bigger departments pay more than smaller departments. The salary range can be anywhere from $20,000 to $45,000 per year. The average starting salary is about $29,000.
State law enforcement
Every state has either a State Police or State Highway Patrol agency. These troopers are responsible for enforcing state laws on our nations highways.
The requirements for the same as those for other careers in law enforcement with two exceptions:
- Some agencies may require college or a college degree.
- Applicant must be willing to work anywhere in the state.
The starting salary varies with each state. High cost of living states such as Alaska and California pay their new recruits around $46,000 per year. The average starting salary is about $31,000.
Federal law enforcement
The federal government offers a large number and wide variety of law enforcement career possibilities.
- U.S. Secret Service – Responsible for protecting the president as well as other dignitaries, investigates counterfeiting and credit card fraud.
- Drug Enforcement Administration – Enforces the nation’s drug laws.
- U.S. Marshals Service – Works for the federal court system. Enforces court orders, serves subpoenas and summons, apprehends federal fugitives, runs the Witness Protection Program.
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms – Enforces the laws that are associated with its name but places more emphasis firearm violations.
- Internal Revenue Service – Collects federal tax revenue and investigates tax fraud.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforces the nation’s immigration laws. Prevents the smuggling and illegal entry of persons in the U.S. Investigates illegal shipments of goods into the U.S.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation – Responsible for enforcing all other laws not assigned to another agency. This includes bank robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, and computer crimes.
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For more information on law enforcement career possibilities, please visit Legal Degree Programs
