People become police officers for many different reasons. Because they are scared to join the military is not one of them. People become police officers, because the career appeals to them. Im sure helping people is also one of the reasons. I know from personal experience, I would want to be a police officer in New York. I think its a high honor, and the job basically appeals to me.

It takes a certain breed of human to become a police officer. someone that cares, will protect, will give their life to protect yours, and have compassion. Its a feeling of accomplishment. no two days are ever alike. you are your own boss 95% of the time. the trust that the public bestowes in you. its helping people with a broken down automobile. its giving advice in domestic situations. its saving someones life, having a heart attack. its putting the handcuffs on a dirt bag that has just raped your daughter. its stopping a speeder going 100 mph in a school zone. its catching a bank robber. its arresting a pedofile for assaulting your child. its saying goodbye to a fellow officer, killed in the line of duty. its delivering a baby and the joy it brings. its kissing your wife goodbye and hoping its not your last kiss. its finding evidence that links a suspect to a homocide. its protecting your friends and neighbors and the community from the criminal element. IT IS.....TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!! p.s. i have been both and mp and a police officer. i have the guts to do both.

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? IN WHO'S OPINION? SOME PEOPLE become Police Officers because they have a need to be in control! Of course not ALL are this way BUT - WITH said control and/or illusion of the same - SOME - become Judge - Jury and Executioner. Said GOD mentality is also carried over into their daily lives as Police Officers have the highest divorce rates and really do not trust anyone, and few people trust police officers! - REGARDLESS OF THE ILLUSION THAT PROTECT AND SERVE PRESENTS. The general public is aware of crooks who were never caught, and have become police officers AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE TYPES AS WELL - BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY KNOW HOW BAD PEOPLE THINK AND THEREFORE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I have worked with the NYPD for many years and have witnessed many crimes perpetrated by the police but the recent 50 shot incident wasn't one of them! There are many things that we can do to make a difference but to use the statement " To Make A Difference" as one of the greatest motivations in THE choice of becoming a Police Officer suggests that you may be suffering from a need to be respected - or that you need attention - or in to be in control; BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE THE PEOPLE ALREADY OWN THE BRIDGE THAT YOU WISH TO SELL US! If you want to be a clown, go to the circus! You can fool some of the people some of the time BUT you can't fool all of the people all of the time! Just say you'll accept the 25K paycheck and re-word the statement to read "I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE SO I'LL TAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN MY PAYCHECK!" CHEW HARDER! Have a nice day!

I retired from the Police Service after 30 years service. When I decided to join I was very young (in my late teens) and I had an idealistic view of what the job entailed, I wanted to help people and to catch criminals. I never gave a thought to the hours of boredom that surveillance involves, the hours of paperwork or the pain of seeing the effects of violence at close range. I can say with certainty that the helping people part of my early imaginings is the part that gives the most lasting pleasure and the witnessing of the dark side of life is what gives the longest lasting pain.

I believe some people join because they want to defend and protect those who cannot protect and defend themselves. There are also plenty of law enforcement officers who join because they want the power and prestige that goes along with the title. These are the kind to look out for.

That will need some investigation.

I dont know WHY PEOPLE BECOME POLICE OFFICERS, but, I KNOW WHAT THET BECOME ONCE THEY ARE POLICE OFFICERS. Most have some sort of control issues they personify once they are gaurdian of any type of human. It gives some sort of plearue to have complete say over what one or as many as 3,000 in state pens. These peole are not being screened with any quality measures. There are so many people in the peniatry system , again de to prosecuters who believe thay can take small pieces of someones life and make a story out of it tyo convict anyone they have targeted. So placing everyday people into the hands of these hypocritical mentally damaged officers by these people gives them a carte blanche to treat them however they see fit. Npot by any humane system, thats for sure. Anyone who is hired a caretaker of criminals and the not so guilty , need to have extensive testing and traing, again with vigorous policing of themselves by OUTSIDE INVESTIGATORS, Why do they get to police themselves, thats like the convited policing themselves.

So they can feel like they have some power. I have a friend who wants to become one. I told him not to because he'll probably get shot.

There are as many reasons people become Police Officers as there are Police. As a Police Officer myself my motivating factor was to try and be a solution to some of the issues I witnessed as a civilian. I will be honest that the position has its appeal as well. As an officer I notice that there are different types of people that take this job. There are quite a few that have power issues, but not necessarily abuse it. Police Officers have a wide range of discretion. Personality types need to be checked more thoroughly at the door. Overall, most Police believe what they do makes a difference. It's a job most people don't have the courage to do.

I've heard the sex is great.

because they feel like it

I would do it so i would have a chance to "pinch" some out during the drug busts. haha

To keep the thugs back...and save the day...

I believe that some just had the good fortune to grow up in households where a sense of honor and duty and community service were taught at a young age. Others had to come to that place in their lives on their own. I've noticed a lot of cops have cops in their families. Parents, siblings, distant relatives. Whatever the reason I thank my lucky stars their are still young men and women in this country that are willing to step up to preform a very dangerous, difficult, sometimes thankless job. I believe we should pay our Police Officers and Firefighters like our lives depend on it. (Someday it just may.)

I know many in law enforcement. From the district attorney where I live to patrol officers. I'd have to say the overriding sociological determinate in most of these personalities is desire for control and power. Law enforcement enables individuals to obtain a position of authority over most of the populous and acts to supply a feeling of superiority to these often deviant personalities and feed their neurotic needs.Compulsive Attachments include:excitement, adventure,conniving manipulation, exploitation, being a loner, autonomy, strength, victimizing others being predatory, looking out for oneself, being an aggressor, being one of the "haves", being on the attack. getting what you deserve. If anyone doubts the aggressive entitlement Police officers enjoy, watch an episode of "COPS" and watch them push the physical to the extreme,

to help people and keep the streets a little mre safe. It's a great job. You don't have to sit at a desk all day!

Some join because they want to help fight crime. Some join because its a family tradition. Some join just for the money. Some join just for the power it gives them.

Its a respectful job to do and u serve the community.

In my experience (and I know several people who I was at school with who are now police) the majority of police recruited in the last 5-10 years do so when they realise they have no real skills that they can earn a decent wage with. They will try a few things after university, aim to work their way up from a low salaried job that their degree was not needed for and then eventually realise they are going to be low earners for many years. The solution for a person of average ability to earn an above average salary? Join the police. You can then amble along in a life of mediocrity, happily dishing out fixed penalty notices, driving fast but ultimately doing nothing of any real use. Well done. This is my opinion on UK police, I have no knowledge of any other countries' force. I would also add that my comments refer purely to the recent influx of average at best people whom the UK have recruited in order to "put more police on the street". What we don't seem to realise is that we need quality not quantity. Give a stupid boy a hi-viz jacket, handcuffs and a siren and he's still a stupid boy.

First, one must identify & distinguish between two types of person: A.) The Bully B.) The bullied. Cops come from either of these two groups. Cops from Group A become police officers so they can do what they love - bullying, asserting authoritah, getting away with anything (cuz who's gonna stope 'em?), and getting paid for it. Cops from Group B were picked on and bullied when they were younger, and by God once they become police officers, the shoe'll be on the other foot. THEY will have their revenge. In either case, people say they become cops "to help people, serve the community, blah blah blah". Two points on that: Unless you're rescuing someone from an assailant, you're not helping anyone. Ticketing, beating up long-haired kids & black people, fighting the stupid "war on drugs, and ALL the other stuff you normally do....not helping anyone. It's oppressing them. There's a difference. Second point: If they REALLY wanted to "help" people, why not become a fireman or a paramedic? Those guys (and gals) actually DO help others. So "to help others" isn't the real reason people become cops, despite what they say. The actual reason anyone becomes a cop, is because, for whatever reason, they get off on having power over others.