Joining the policing sector can be one of the most fulfilling opportunities you could explore. As a member of the police force, you will protect the people in your community and uphold the law. Your work will be about helping make your community a more positive and equitable place while ensuring justice for everyone.
There are many great reasons why a career in policing can be one of the most exciting ones you can explore. From the respect you will earn to the many opportunities available in your area, the positives of entering the policing field are vast. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect when looking for a position in policing.
A position in your area
Every community will require help from police officers and others in the field to protect people and uphold the law. Officers help prevent crime and educate citizens on how to keep themselves safe. They can also conduct investigations into various criminal cases and bring criminals to justice.
There is always the need to help people stay safe and protected. You can support your community’s needs by serving as a police officer.
Besides policing, you can also participate in various related fields, including as a probation officer or an intelligence analyst. Some newer positions can focus on cybercrimes, including jobs that require collecting digital forensic evidence and reviewing laws among international jurisdictions.
Every community has different opportunities for police work, especially as the population continues to increase. The need to serve more people and provide further services is extensive, so entering the field can be the start of a rewarding career.
The odds are you’ll find a quality position in your area, meaning you won’t have to move somewhere new to make a difference. The growing population in Canada means there’s an ever-increasing demand to have enough people in the policing industry to protect everyone.
Exciting work
The work that comes with entering the law enforcement field can be appealing. From serving everyday people in your community to resolving various problems and solving crimes, the things you can accomplish in law enforcement are extensive. The rise of digital technology and investigative standards also adds to the responsibilities and duties people in policing hold.
The Dolan Consulting Group conducted an analysis of law enforcement members in 2019 to see why those people entered the field. The most prominent reason was that they wanted to enjoy a career with interesting or exciting work. They also wanted to help others and positively contribute to their communities.
The type of work you can do for the police department is extremely varied. It’s also possible to advance to another position if you have enough experience in your specific line of work.
Help people during their hardest times
Many people in your community will struggle with various issues that can negatively impact their lives. Whether it involves being a victim of a crime or needing protection and safety, helping people in their toughest times will always be an essential part of the job. Members of the police department can help people manage many of their issues, ensuring they will stay safe.
For instance, you can help gather information on a car crash after it happens. You can document information on the event and gather eyewitness and victim reports. Your data can help secure details on the case to ensure the people involved will receive proper justice, whether through legal measures or ensuring insurance companies cover all expenses.
Build essential skills
You will require various skills as a member of the police force. Some of the more common skills you’ll need include:
- Leadership
- Problem-solving skills
- Responding to emergencies
- Managing risks
- Excellent communication skills
- Counseling
- Crisis intervention
- An ability to review different situations and find solutions
- Analyzing data, including case intelligence and research
The specific skills you will require will vary depending on the position you enter. Many of these skills can carry over to multiple jobs.
Multiple opportunities available
The assortment of opportunities for advancement in the policing world is vast. Job Bank estimates that from 2019 to 2028, the industry will grow by roughly 24,000 officers. There will also be thousands of new openings nationwide for existing positions every year. These openings are mainly to replace people who have retired or have transferred to different law enforcement departments. The opportunity for you to find a great position in the policing field will be significant.
The current police force in Canada is also becoming older. The age when a police officer can retire and enjoy all of their retirement benefits varies, but on average the age is 60 years.
The current workforce is aging quickly. As more people retire and leave the field, there will be a growing number of job openings available. Studying to enter the law enforcement field is an ideal way to find multiple work opportunities.
Launch a career in criminal justice
One of the most appealing parts of entering the policing field involves how it can help you enter the criminal justice industry. People who enter the policing sector by completing law enforcement courses at Wilfrid Laurier University can advance into various job positions, including:
- Police detective
- Probation officer
- Intelligence analyst
- Police mediator
- Immigration officer
These positions entail various unique duties and require multiple skills. Your entry into the policing field will help you reach many of these prominent and high-paying positions.
The effort necessary for entering the policing field is also easy to manage. A bachelor degree in policing is ideal, and you can earn your degree in less than three years through online studies. To qualify for a BA in policing program, you’ll require a letter of employment and proof of at least one year of full-time work.
Support marginalized communities
People who enter the policing field can also help those who are in marginalized communities. Abuse against indigenous people is receiving newfound attention around the world, including in Canada. In recent years, Canadian police, in particular, has undergone a transformation to help identify, address, and prevent this kind of abuse. Officers such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provide policing and law enforcement services to lesser-served indigenous communities.
The need to support marginalized communities is significant, as many of these areas do not have easy access to the same resources as more populated areas. You can provide support to these people and other communities in your area to improve relations and ensure everyone receives the support and justice they deserve.
You could also help people who are new to the country. You can support immigrants by offering guidance about the laws in this country and how to become legal citizens. Your work can help people feel more confident as they adapt to living in a new country.
Once you have a degree from an accredited university or another educational institute, the opportunities are endless.
Positions at various levels
There are many policing positions available at different levels, with openings varying depending on your location:
- Local policing entails serving people in a local city or town.
- County policing involves serving people on a county level. Some county positions are appointed by an election, while others are available to people who have provided local services long enough
- State or provincial policing focuses on highway and road patrols. State officers can assist various law enforcement groups, plus they can serve courts through investigative or administrative services.
- People with more experience or who have undergone extensive security screening can enter a federal position. Federal-level jobs often entail working with national organizations like the FBI, DEA or Border Patrol. Some may become law enforcement officers with organizations such as the Postal Service or Forest Service.
The opportunities at each level will vary, and people with more experience or training are more likely to reach higher-paying positions at a state or federal level. However, the opportunities for work are vast regardless of the level of work one qualifies to serve.
Collaborate with other cities and countries
It’s also possible for you to interact with professionals in other cities or countries while in the policing field. Various countries will have different programs. For example, Public Safety Canada has an extensive program called the International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations program that entails Canadian police officers serving in various countries. The organization has officers providing services and peacekeeping efforts in countries like Switzerland, Ukraine, Haiti, the West Bank and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This program is one example of the many ways you can interact with other policing groups worldwide. Whether it involves working with different provinces or territories or providing services in another continent, the opportunities for you to serve are endless. The options available for serving in your area will vary, so looking around to see what positions are open will be exciting.
Earn the respect of others
Law enforcement members receive respect from the public. The Dolan Consulting Group says that one reason so many enter the field is because they saw other police members at work in their communities. They appreciated how those officers interacted with citizens, and they wanted to join the line to make a difference themselves.
The Council on Criminal Justice found in a 2020 report that people are mostly positive about police forces. Nearly 85 percent of people are either very confident or mostly confident in police interactions. People also appreciate the amount of work that police officers have in their area, although some feel that police officers should spend more time in their communities.
These statistics show that working in policing is an honorable position, as people see police members as those aiming to provide justice and support to the masses.
Ensure justice in your community
One of the best reasons to join the policing industry is to provide justice in your area. A 2022 report in Psychology, Crime and Law found that police officers are considered by most people to be fair and supportive of the needs of everyday people.
The role a police officer plays in providing justice to people is significant, as there is a need to keep things fair among all people. Policing helps people stay safe while ensuring the justice they deserve.
A last word about an exciting field
A job in the policing sector is one of the most appealing fields to consider if you’re looking for a new career. It is easy to enter the field, and your degree in policing will help you go places in the industry. You will appreciate the many duties you will hold, and the field is exciting. The respect you will get from serving your community is especially worth noting. Be sure to look at the policing sector if you’re looking for a second career or want to make a positive impact on your community.
