Expert: Loren Stevens - 6/7/2004

Question
WHy do most people choose a career in law enforcement.

Answer
Chris,
Well, maybe you should word your question with more clarity.
"Most" people don't choose LE as a career. Only a fraction of the population go into this field.
What I THINK you mean, is: why do the people who are in law enforcement, mostly choose that field?
It is ALWAYS risky to use generalizations, even this one. There are probably as many reasons on why, as there are people in this field.
Some of the obvious reasons, would include: excitement, "career" rather than "job" oriented, challenge, security of  civil service employment, occupation that makes a difference in public safety, variation of functions from day to day, boredom avoidance, benefit package, etc, et al.
Some people are sold on specific LE work, from movies, and TV. The opportunity to work so many areas of LE is such, that there is appeal to about any interests. Traffic, Investigations, Patrol, Training, etc And, there are sub units, and sub units to them, eg, Investigations--Intelligence--Covert ops etc, Or Sex crimes, auto theft, burglary, robbery, chex etc.
Patrol has SWAT, search and rescue, etc
Then there are all the Federal LE agencies, that run deep. Most people usually only think of the Dept. of Justice, ie., DEA, FBI etc
But, several Federal agencies have LE positions, Department of Treasury: IRS, ATF etc. ALL the various Departments have Investigators, atleast assigned to the IG of each Dept. All states have a variety of LE agencies, plus regulatory agencies with certain police powers.
Then, there are LE units in all the military services, and so on.
As you can see, the LE functions in so many agencies, that are very different, would also suggest varying motives for a person selecting to enter that area.
I have had a long police career, with a great deal of interest in the areas that I worked. Then again, there are areas in LE that I have absolutely NO interest in whatsoever, eg, trafic, juvenile, crime prevention, and R&D etc. Those who work those areas love it, and would not be interested in areas that appealed to me.
In most agencies, you can break it down to two primary areas: LINE and STAFF.
LINE operations is my interest, STAFF and SUPPORT services is not something I ever wanted to work.
Along with painting a picture of the various options in LE, there is also the issue of decision making. All agencies are structured by laws, policies and procedures. That said, there are still huge opportunities in the field to make decisions, w/o a series of approvals.
Some people are drawn to LE as one of the last areas of the "wild west" type mentality, where peril and life threatening events occur often. They go for the rush of the situations. Compared to a 9to5 office oriented job, LE is exciting, and different from day to day.
There is also the issue of commraderi.
Please excuse my spelling and structure, as I am presse for time.
Anyhow, I hope this gives you an idea of relevant issues.
good luck.
If there is something more specific, let me know.
loren