Career In Law Enforcement: A Career For The FBI

A career in law enforcement is a unique opportunity that has intrigued me for the majority of my life. My curiosity likely stems from multiple family members of mine, who either have a career in law enforcement or had one previously. With my family history and my interest in law enforcement, it would appear that selecting an occupation in law enforcement would be a simple task. Yet, I often ponder whether I would prefer to work for a municipal agency such as the San Francisco Police Department, or a federal agency, namely the FBI. I have researched a multitude of factors such as qualifications, requirements, salary, and job description to assist me in determining which profession is the right one for me. The hiring process for both the SFPD and FBI follows the same basic structure with variations in qualifications and requirements. To become an SFPD officer, an applicant must have at minimum, a high school degree. A bachelor’s degree is recommended and obtaining a position with the agency is less likely without one. Applicants must be at least twenty-one years old, be a U.S. citizen, own a valid driver’s license, and have no previous felony convictions. The candidate must then pass a written and physical exam that includes push-ups and sit-ups. An oral exam and background check are the final

I can only give myself an opportunity to make a decision later on in my life. Although it is early, the ideal situation for me would be to work for the SFPD for three years until I am eligible to apply to the FBI. This is not a perfect world so I cannot realistically expect my opportunities to play out similar to that plan immediately upon graduation from a California State university, but I can be patient and seize chances when they arise. Even though the SFPD would be my ideal municipal agency, I don’t see myself being able to pass up on the rare chance of becoming an FBI agent if given the