Career Research Essay And Interview

Thesis & Outline

Though being a police officer can be very demanding and tedious work, three things that make this career worth while are: the salary and benefits, helping the community, and working with juveniles.

1. Salary and Benefits

a. Base Salary http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm

b. Benefits

2. Helping Community

a. Keeping crime off the streets

b. Above and beyond

3. Working with juveniles

a. Working with kids in schools

b. Being a positive influence

In the short twenty-one years of my life, I have thought of many career fields that I would enjoy. None of them truly struck home, except for being a police officer. Ever since the first time I saw my grandfather in his uniform, I knew that I was going to be a cop. Though being a police officer can be very demanding and tedious work, three things that make this career worth while are: the salary and benefits, helping the community, and working with juveniles.

What is a good amount to pay someone who risks their life every day they put on their work clothes? In my opinion, you can not pay them enough. But, you do have to set a price. In 2002, police patrol officers had a median annual income of $42,270(www.bls.gov). Police and detective supervisors made a significant amount more. Their average median income was $61,010(www.bls.gov). Federal law enforcement agents are by far the best paid. In 2003, the base salary a new employee received was $39,115(www.bls.gov). On the top end, level GS-15, workers received up to $106,430(www.bls.gov). So, unless if you are a government worker, chances are you will not be a millionaire. Police work also carries one of the best benefits plans in the job market today. My grandparents' neighbor, Duane Funk, who is cop in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, said they receive full hospitalization, which included dental and eye coverage. They also receive $800.00 dollars a year for education and another $900.00 a year for uniforms. They also get ten hours a month of sick time, which can be accumulated and sold at the end of the year.

Getting involved in the community is another reason police work is important to me. Abigail Adams once said, "if we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?" What could be better then keeping crime off of the streets of the city you live in? There is no greater honor then knowing your neighbors look to you to keep them safe at night. Police also are known for going above and beyond the call of duty. Many times, police officers are first on the scene of an accident or any other tragedy that requires medical attention. Many cops have been credited for saving the lives of people who would have died if it was not for their swift and life saving actions. Unfortunately, not everyone survives, and the police carry another unwanted burden. A lot of time police officers also inform the victim's family about the tragedy. These are the reasons why so many cops quite after a few short years on the force. They either can not take the stress or mental and physical anguish associated with police work. It also drives many into alcoholism.

Lastly, for me, working with juveniles is one of the most important aspects of police work. If it is working with elementary school kids in a drug abuse resistance education class or walking the halls of a local high school, interaction with minors is a necessity. The F.B.I. has stated that there were 137,658 juveniles arrested by state and local law enforcement agencies for drug abuse violations in 2003(www.ncjrs.org). I will let them hear my stories about how drugs can truly hurt your chances of getting your dream job. I know that I would not be where I am today if I had gotten involved in drugs. By them seeing a man who grew up in their shoes, accomplish so much, it will drive them to succeed. It will also give me a chance to be a positive influence and a role model to many kids who lack this attention at home. I have heard stories of children who have next to nothing as a role model. I feel that this is a horrible way to grow up. I think that a positive role model is a very influential part of a young person's life and will help dictate how they will conduct themselves as an adult.

Police work has always been a passion of mine, and will continue to be until the day I retire. It is a career that will keep me on my toes. But, when I come back from work, I will have the understanding that I have made an impact on someone; that I have helped the community. Police officers are not superheroes. They, happily, live an average life. They drive average cars and come back to average homes. It is a delicate balance of pride and stress that lets them wake up and put on their uniform for another day on the streets. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God," (Matthew 5:9).

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