1. Law Enforcement By:Dazasia D.-H.

2. What they do? The primary responsibility of police officers is to protect the public, or if commissioned, the person/group/organization to which they are assigned. Through detecting and preventing crime, police officers strive to maintain law and order in their respective jurisdictions.` A police officer enforces prevailing laws, attempts to prevent crime, and generally looks out for the health and safety of a community. The exact job requirements for a police officer are actually quite diverse, depending on the region in which he or she works and the exact position in which the police officer is employed. Some are beat cops, for example, patrolling a regular route to look out for infractions of the law, while others specialize in dog handling, bomb disposal, and various other fields of law enforcement. Police officers protect the community by enforcing laws and maintaining peace. The job requires excellent judgment, extraordinary courage and the ability to think quickly under pressure. Read along after the jump to find out how to prepare for a career as a police officer, meet the educational and training requirements and land your first job.

3. How to become one? 1.Meet the basic requirements. You must also be at least 21 years of age, have a driving license, and be a legal resident of the United States in order to become a police officer. 2.Be an upstanding citizen. Police officers are expected to act as role models in their communities, and it's never too early to start embodying the values you will be tasked with enforcing. Avoid using illegal drugs, drinking alcohol to excess, and committing crimes, no matter how small. All of these behaviors can make it tougher to get a job as a police officer when it comes time to apply. 3.Start building good credit. When you apply to become a police officer, the department will run a credit check as part of your background check, and you will be penalized if your score is quite low. Avoid accumulating debt, and pay your bills on time. 4.Have a strong work ethic. Having work experience helps prepare you for the long hours and strict requirements of a police officer job, and it also gives you an edge over applicants with no experience. Your job experience doesn't have to be related to law enforcement, although that can help; any work experience that shows you're responsible and capable of doing a job well will help. 5.Get physically fit. Police officers have to have quick reflexes, the ability to run short or long distances, and the strength to detain suspects. You'll have to pass a physical agility test to qualify for becoming a police officer, so start working out now to make sure you're in your best physical shape. 6. Know what the job entails. Police officers are a familiar sight around communities and in the media, but in order to really understand what its like to be a police officer, you have to spend time on the job with one.

4. Pay/Salary Academy pay is $31.15 an hour, until sworn in as a police officer. Police officer, starting step 1 salary $75,483. Police officer, top step salary $101,088 (one step increase annually for seven years) Lateral police officer salary determined by experience, training and education. Average Police Officer Salary: $25000. The median annual wage for police and detectives was $56,980 in May 2012.

5. Outlook Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Police officers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Working around the clock in shifts is common. Education requirements range from a high school diploma to a college, or higher, degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing a period of on-the-job training. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 21 years old, and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.

6. Similar Occupations Armed forces operational officer Community development worker Emergency planning/management officer Firefighter Forensic psychologist Immigration officer Prison officer Probation officer Social worker Youth worker Armed forces operational officer Community development worker Emergency planning/management officer Firefighter Forensic psychologist Immigration officer Prison officer Probation officer Social worker Youth worker

7. College It depends on the actual department that you apply to/for. Some require it, others don't. You're better off to inquire with the department you plan to apply to/for. Many police departments these days require at least an Associate Degree to enter the Police Academy, however, many others don't. A good number of the courses you take in the academy offer college credits or units, which can be transferred to traditional colleges or universities. It depends on the actual department that you apply to/for. Some require it, others don't. You're better off to inquire with the department you plan to apply to/for. Many police departments these days require at least an Associate Degree to enter the Police Academy, however, many others don't. A good number of the courses you take in the academy offer college credits or units, which can be transferred to traditional colleges or universities.

8. College tuition Turn in completed application packet; Has never been convicted of, nor currently on court-ordered community service supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years regardless of disposition status; Is not currently under indictment for any criminal offense; Has never been arrested for or convicted at any time of a felony; Has never been convicted of any family violence offense regardless of level of offense; Not be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle; Not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition; Be either a high school graduate, or have GED certificate; Be twenty-one years of age before being licensed as a Texas Peace Officer Be of good moral character; Not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions Not have had a commission license denied by a final order or revoked, or have voluntary surrender of license currently in effect; Be a United States citizen and provide an original birth certificate or naturalization paperwork from the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; If you are under 30 years old you will need to bring proof of meningitis vaccination; Per TCLEOSE rules deferred adjudication is considered a conviction. Turn in completed application packet; Has never been convicted of, nor currently on court-ordered community service supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years regardless of disposition status; Is not currently under indictment for any criminal offense; Has never been arrested for or convicted at any time of a felony; Has never been convicted of any family violence offense regardless of level of offense; Not be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle; Not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition; Be either a high school graduate, or have GED certificate; Be twenty-one years of age before being licensed as a Texas Peace Officer Be of good moral character; Not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions Not have had a commission license denied by a final order or revoked, or have voluntary surrender of license currently in effect; Be a United States citizen and provide an original birth certificate or naturalization paperwork from the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; If you are under 30 years old you will need to bring proof of meningitis vaccination; Per TCLEOSE rules deferred adjudication is considered a conviction.

9. College facts 10 Facts You Didn't Know About the Rasmussen College Justice Studies Program The School of Justice Studies leadership has experience at the local, state and federal levels. Law enforcement students complete 340 hours of specialized training Rasmussen College instructors have a collective 488 years of police experience Every justice studies program implements field work 25 percent of justice studies students already work in law enforcement Experts from the field teach a variety of courses The Eagan, Minn. campus features a state-of-the-art skills training facility Justice studies students have the opportunity to tour real life police facilities The Fargo Corrections Academy is the first public-private partnership for state corrections officer training Campuses regularly host events where students interact directly with prominent law enforcement officials 10 Facts You Didn't Know About the Rasmussen College Justice Studies Program The School of Justice Studies leadership has experience at the local, state and federal levels. Law enforcement students complete 340 hours of specialized training Rasmussen College instructors have a collective 488 years of police experience Every justice studies program implements field work 25 percent of justice studies students already work in law enforcement Experts from the field teach a variety of courses The Eagan, Minn. campus features a state-of-the-art skills training facility Justice studies students have the opportunity to tour real life police facilities The Fargo Corrections Academy is the first public-private partnership for state corrections officer training Campuses regularly host events where students interact directly with prominent law enforcement officials