Career Options for Police Officers

There are several options for police officers, and it all depends on the department in the police force that you want to opt for and are qualified for. The major career options are federal, state, county, and city. There are over 70 federal law enforcement agencies in the United States. Some of the agencies employ uniformed police officers who are assigned to foot patrolling federal property. An officer can arrest someone who has committed a federal offense. However the crime will be investigated by the agency responsible for dealing with that type of crime. Agents are hired in the different federal agencies which are:

•    Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
•    Border Patrol
•    U.S. Capitol Police
•    U.S. Customs and Border Protection
•    Defense Criminal Investigative Service
•    U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security
•    Drug Enforcement Administration
•    Federal Bureau of Investigation
•    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
•    Internal Revenue Service
•    U.S. Marshals Service
•    Naval Criminal Investigative Service
•    Postal Service
•    U.S. Secret Service
•    Transportation Security Administration.

Nearly every state in the United States has state police or state highway patrol. State police officers are commonly called 'state troopers'. State police are basically full law enforcement agencies. They normally patrol the highways and respond to traffic accidents. However state police officers may also be the first to arrive at a crime scene. State police also has specialized units and a trooper can apply in anyone of these units. These agencies are:

•    State Bureau of Investigation
•    Crime Scene Specialists
•    Anti-Terrorist Team
•    Canine Unit
•    Polygraph unit
•    Governor's Detail

The most prevalent county law enforcement jobs are done by the sheriff's office. The sheriff in most cases is the highest law enforcement officer in the county and is elected. Deputy Sheriffs are assigned a variety of jobs. They may patrol county roads, cities and towns, respond to emergencies, apprehend and arrest criminals and conduct investigations.

Most sheriffs' offices also have jails and the deputy sheriffs are responsible for supervising and transporting the inmates to and from the court for hearings. 

City law enforcement officers are responsible for enforcing the law with the city limits. City police officers may be assigned to patrol by car, on foot, on bicycles or on motorbikes. The city police officers experience some of the most diverse situations. City police officers are the first to respond in an emergency and also to provide public service. After years in service a city police officer can request a transfer to a specialized unit.