“I could never do that job!”
Something you’ll often hear when talking about being a law enforcement officer. And yes, while it’s a demanding role, there are actually some amazing day-to-day perks that you don’t know about. If you’ve ever wondered why people choose to work in this field, here’s a peek into what makes it worth the while.
It’s never boring
If you’re the kind of person that cannot stand the thought of being stuck at a desk all day, then law enforcement might be right up your street. Every single day is different. One day you might be helping someone get their stolen bike back and the next you’re doing crowd control and a local football match. One thing’s for sure, you’ll always be on your toes. If you like a bit of unpredictability in your daily routine, it’s definitely a career to consider.
You get to make a difference
Perhaps the best perk of being a law enforcement officer is that you get to make a real difference in your community. Whether it’s calming someone down after a traumatic experience or arresting someone that poses a threat to the community, you’re making a difference every day.
Fun moments
We had to mention it! There’s something satisfying and cool about the moment those blue and red police lights flash on as you pull out. Obviously it’s not the showing off part either, there’s something very empowering about it. You’re taking action to help keep your community safe! Plus, it’s badass.
You build strong bonds
In law enforcement, you’re working closely with a team every single day, and especially when there are high-pressure situations, you get close. There’s something extremely rewarding about working together as a team for the greater good. They’ll feel like a second family and for many officers out there, those relationships last for the rest of their lives.
Early retirement and benefits
It’s hard in this day and age to land a job with a decent retirement package these days, but law enforcement isn’t one of them. Not only that, you’re eligible to retire in your fifties if you want to. You’ve also got health insurance, paid time off, and sometimes even tuition assistance for your children. A full pension and the ability to retire in my fifties? Yes please.
Steady pay
While law enforcement officers aren’t the most well-paid people in the world, the salary tends to be stable and comes with a good level of job security. In a world where many jobs feel shaky, that kind of stability is nice to have. Promotions you get will also bump your salary which is particularly helpful if you’ve got people to support or are planning for the future.
There’s room to grow
When you mention law enforcement, your mind immediately jumps to patrolling the streets and responding to emergency calls. And while that’s an important aspect, there are so many areas of law enforcement that you could branch into. There’s K9 units, or if you’re more into tech, you could branch off into cybercrime. It’s great if you don’t want to be stuck doing the same role your entire life.
You learn skills for life
Being a law enforcement officer teaches you more than how to write a report or deal with the public. You pick up people skills, learn how to stay calm under pressure and most importantly, how to think on your feet. All of these skills are transferable into your personal life too, whether it’s dealing with a neighborhood argument or negotiating at the car dealership.
Community respect
There’s no denying that there are plenty of tough moments in this career, and sometimes the job even comes with criticism. But, there’s also respect that builds up over time. People will always remember the officer that helped them out of a dangerous situation or showed kindness during a moment of weakness. You might not hear a thank you as often as you’d like, but the respect is definitely there.
Every day has purpose
Finally, some jobs make you feel like you’re just going through the motions. However, in law enforcement, there’s a massive sense of purpose baked into the role. You get to enjoy knowing that you’re a part of something bigger than yourself, which is something not everyone gets from their job.
So yes, it’s very hard work, but it also comes with a lot of perks and rewards that go way beyond the paycheque. Maybe it’s a career to consider?
