Many people know from the time that they are small children what they want to be when they grow up. We all dream of growing up and having exciting careers that will make us rich. Having a career that will bring a lot of money usually requires a college education. Now that the time is here to pick a career for the future, one needs to think about what he or she likes to do. If the criminal justice field is something that has always been of great interest to a person, he or she may want to consider becoming a police officer. The police officer job description is very exciting. Here is the inside scoop.
When you are going to become a police officer, the first thing that you will always want to know is that the job is unpredictable and you can be doing something different every day. Knowing what is in the job description is always important so that you can decide whether or not you think you are going to like this job. Your job, as a police officer, will be to enforce every part of the law. This can be dangerous and you never know how people will handle your authority. You will need to keep those criminals who are dangerous to themselves and others off the streets. You may have to patrol late at night, either in a car or on foot. You may have to stop people who are operating motor vehicles unsafely or you may have to respond to an emergency phone call. As was previously mentioned, your duties will vary by the day.
In order to become a police officer, you will need to go to school and earn a college degree. It is up to you what kind of degree you earn, but you will want to major in criminal justice. You will be able to get a job with just an associate’s degree in some places, but many places prefer to hire those people who have earned bachelor’s degrees from four year institutions. When you have earned your college degree and you have gone through a police academy, you will need to get out there and start applying for jobs immediately. Be persistent and show interest in the jobs you apply for. Finally, be sure you have a clean background check. This is so important!
Becoming a cop is not nearly as hard as some people may think it is. It is actually quite easy and is something that can be done with motivation. Now that you know how you can become a cop and what all is listed in the job description, you can decide for yourself whether or not this will be the best career for you. If you think it is, do not hesitate to apply to some schools immediately to work towards your degree. In no time at all, you will be happy in your new career!
Jen G. is a writer for MyCriminalJusticeCareers.com. If you are interested in a career as a police officer, take a look at this site today.