BESIDES PRESENTING A GENERAL PICTURE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD AND ITS STRUCTURAL BREAKDOWNS, THE MATERIAL LAYS OUT THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED OF RECRUITS FOR EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND JOB EXPERIENCE. BOTH DISADVANTAGES AND ADVANTAGES OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT JOB ARE STRESSED. POLICE CONFRONT A GREAT DEAL OF HOSTILITY FROM CITIZENS, CAN FIND THEMSELVES IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS REQUIRING ABILITY TO MAKE QUICK AND LOGICAL DECISIONS, AND SEE MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE, DISHONESTY, AND SEAMY SIDE OF LIFE. STILL, LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREERS ARE NOT INFLUENCED BY BUSINESS CYCLES, SALARIES ARE BEGINNING TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH INDUSTRY, PROMOTION IS POSSIBLE, AND FEW PROFESSIONS OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR VARIETY ENCOUNTERED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. IN ONE DAY, ASSIGNMENTS MAY RANGE FROM INTERVENING IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOMESTIC SQUABBLE TO MONOTONOUS DESK WORK. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A CIVIL SERVICE CAREER, ADVANCEMENT IS BASED USUALLY ON CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS, AND POLICE OFFICERS WHO DO A COMPETENT JOB ARE NOT THREATENED BY UNEMPLOYMENT DUE TO OFFICE POLITICS OR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WITH MANAGEMENT. OTHER ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK STRESSED ARE ITS SHIFT-DUTY NATURE, ITS STATUS AND COMMUNITY INFLUENCE, AND ITS ACCOMPANYING STRESS. APPROXIMATE STARTING AND ADVANCE SALARIES ARE GIVEN. (DAG)