Becoming a Law Enforcement Officer: Job Description & Salary Info

About this article
Learn about a law enforcement officer's job description, salary and training requirements. Get the facts about the pros and cons of a law enforcement officer career.
  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Standing Out
  • Alternatives

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Law Enforcement Officer

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As a law enforcement officer, you'll be responsible for upholding the law to protect lives and property. Read on to learn the pros and cons of becoming a law enforcement officer to determine if this is the right career for you.

Pros of Becoming a Law Enforcement Officer
Earn a good salary (mean annual salary of about $59,560 as of May 2014)*
Can get a job with just a high school diploma*
High level of job satisfaction**
Benefits packages are usually very good, with eligibility to retire at age 50***
Opportunities to specialize (investigations, alternative patrol, traffic enforcement, bomb squad, canine unit)**

Cons of Becoming a Law Enforcement Officer
The work is often extremely dangerous and stressful*
May have to work irregular hours that include nights, weekends and holidays*
Anticipated job growth is slower than average (just 6% between 2012 and 2022)*
Competitive market for state and federal agency jobs*
Job can include many uneventful hours of paperwork and riding around in a patrol car****
Federal officers often have to travel on short notice*

Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **International Association of Chiefs of Police, ***California Employment Development Department, ****The Princeton Review.

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  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Standing Out
  • Alternatives

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
      • MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Criminal Justice - Socially Responsible Leadership
      • BS in Criminal Justice - Business Fundamentals
      • BSCJ: Forensic Psychology
      • Bachelor: Criminal Justice
      • BSCJ: Homeland Security
      • BSCJ: Juvenile Justice
    Associate's
      • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
  • Online Programs Available
    2. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DCJ - Policing
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice
      • DBA - Homeland Security - Leadership & Policy
      • EdD - School Safety, Security, Emergency Management
      • PhD - School Safety, Security, Emergency Management
      • PhD - Homeland Security - Leadership & Policy
    Master's
      • MSOL - Criminal Justice
      • MEd - School Safety, Security and Emergency Management
  • Online Programs Available
    3. UMass Global

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA in Criminal Justice
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S in Forensic Science
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DCJ: Doctor of Criminal Justice: General
      • DCJ: Homeland Security
      • PHD: Criminal Justice: Leadership
      • DCJ: Leadership
      • PHD: Criminal Justice
      • PHD: Criminal Justice: Homeland Security
    Master's
      • MS: Criminal Justice
      • MS: Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Leadership
      • MS: Criminal Justice: Public Administration
      • MS: National Security
      • MS: National Security: Homeland Security
      • MS: Criminal Justice: Corrections Management
    Certificate
      • CERT: Criminal Justice
      • GRAD CERT: Advanced Criminal Justice
      • GRAD CERT: Executive Criminal Justice
      • GRAD CERT: Advanced Homeland Security
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Featured Schools

Purdue Global

  • MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • BS in Criminal Justice - Socially Responsible Leadership
  • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Which subject are you interested in?

National University

  • DCJ - Policing
  • Doctor of Criminal Justice
  • MSOL - Criminal Justice
  • MEd - School Safety, Security and Emergency Management

What is your highest level of education?

UMass Global

  • BA in Criminal Justice

Which subject are you interested in?

Grand Canyon University

  • M.S in Forensic Science
  • B.S. in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

What is your highest level of education?

Liberty University

  • DCJ: Doctor of Criminal Justice: General
  • MS: Criminal Justice
  • CERT: Criminal Justice

What is your highest level of education?

University of Maryland Global Campus