If you want to protect and serve the people in your community, a career in the police service is the right one for you. You'll need to be mentally and physically fit--police work can require physical stamina, long hours, and the ability to handle dangerous and stressful situations.

Police officers work for local, state, or federal agencies. Job responsibilities can range from directing traffic to investigating burglaries and deaths. Within the field of police work, you have several options for employment:

• Uniformed police officers perform regular patrols and respond to calls for help.
• Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs are usually elected and enforce the law on a county level.
• State police officers often patrol state highways and arrest criminals statewide.
• Detectives gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases.
• Fish and game wardens enforce fishing, hunting, and boating laws.

If you're particularly good at thinking on your feet and remaining calm in stressful situations, consider work with a special unit, such as special weapons and tactics (SWAT) or emergency response teams.

Police agencies require a high-school education, at a minimum. Most require some college education, and some require a college degree. To prepare for a career in the police service, consider programs in criminal justice, police science, administration of justice, and public administration. Physical education classes are also useful.

Many agencies require recruits to attend a police academy. Academy training includes a combination of classroom instruction and supervised experience.