9781422274859

DID YOU KNOW?

Fingerprints have been collected and analyzed to solve crimes for more than 150 years.

POLICE OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES Police officers protect us from crime and make sure that laws are followed. Without them, our world would be less safe and we would be in constant fear. Detectives are specially trained police officers who collect and analyze evidence and try to solve murders, bank robberies, assaults, and other serious crimes. The work of police officers and detectives is demanding, stressful, and sometimes dangerous. It takes a special type of person to want to pursue a career in law enforcement. These public servants care about helping others, have exceptional integrity, and are willing to risk their lives to make the world a better place. For some police officers and detectives, a career in law enforcement is a family tradition . Ruth is one such example of a police officer, who proudly comes from a long line of law enforcement officials. Her grandfather was the police chief of her town. Her dad was a police officer and the chief of detectives. And her brother currently serves in the military police. “We have a long tradition of public service in our family. It was always drummed into me that helping and protecting others was one of life’s most noble pursuits,” she says. In addition to following family tradition, Ruth was also attracted to the good pay, benefits, and opportunities for promotion that one can earn as a police officer. “There are not too many jobs that you can get with a high school diploma in which you can earn more than $85,000 a year after five or so years on the force,” she says.

The World of Law Enforcement

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