All U.S. citizens depend on law enforcement professionals and police officers to safeguard their lives and property. Though law enforcement careers are often stressful and dangerous, the officers and agents engaged in this work are usually motivated by a desire to catch criminals and help society.

Almost all law enforcement officers work forty hours a week, though unusual hours and frequent transfers are the norm to maintain public safety. The education and career training of law enforcement officials include formal education, military or other related experience, and internal training. Apart from career training, law enforcement agents and officers undergo rigorous psychological and physical training. They need to serve a probationary employment period as well. Career training while on the job could be needed to learn new procedures and policies. Those law enforcement officers who desire to become detectives, homeland security experts, or state and federal investigators might need to have graduate degrees in public administration, psychology, criminal justice, or related fields. Most law enforcement agencies provide tuition fee aid to employees. Based on the recruiter’s needs and your qualifications, you can be posted an international security expert or a local beat cop. Hiring is impacted by state, municipal, and federal budgets. However, law enforcement needs often get priority for fund allocation.

The main duty of a law enforcement official is to help mankind by guarding lives and property, protecting the innocent from cheats, the weak from oppressors, and the peaceful from violence or disorder. They also need to respect the Constitutional rights of liberty, equality and justice.

People expect police officers and detectives to safeguard lives and property. Law enforcement officials, both state and federal special agents or inspectors, meet these expectations in different ways, depending on the type and size of their organization.

The career training courses for law enforcement officials differ widely. Though many graduates of a law enforcement program opt for police jobs, others choose private investigation, corrections, security, the court system, and similar fields. Your choice of degree depends on your particular career goals.

With an associate’s degree in law enforcement you qualify for entry-level positions in investigation, security, or a police department. With these degrees you can join the workforce early and work to advance in your career.

An associate’s degree credits can be used to reduce credit requirements for a bachelor's degree in law enforcement. A bachelor's degree opens managerial positions in government facilities, police departments, and other law enforcement organizations. You also qualify for positions in the F.B.I. and U.S. Secret Service.

With a master's degree, you can advance to the highest levels in law enforcement jobs. A master's degree course could cover report writing, juvenile justice, criminal justice, and security management.

All degree programs in law enforcement aim to prevent crimes, narrow-down suspects, and provide a clear understanding of the justice system. All degree courses in policing cover police science, tactics to prevent crime, and narrow-down on suspects. With this degree you can become a police official in a sheriff department or state patrol agency. Degree courses in investigation are more demanding as they focus on training for management of crime scenes, analysis of forensic evidence, interrogation of suspects, witness statements, and computer forensics. After graduating, you qualify to become a crime scene investigator in law enforcement departments. Online courses in these areas are designed to adapt themselves to student needs and can be accessed via the Internet. Those working in law enforcement agencies increase their chances of obtaining a better position, pay, and responsibilities by taking these courses.