Working in law enforcement can be a rewarding career where no two shifts are the same. Brad Mauldin, a Sherriff's office patrol sergeant who entered the force after completing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with psychology, told pntonline.com he chose a career with law enforcement because it gave him a chance to serve the community. He also said there is no such thing as a "typical night" in his job - which is one of the things he enjoys about it the most. Sergeant Mauldin added that to become a patrol officer, he underwent rigorous physical and academic examinations - but training for law enforcement is "never ending". "I enjoy being a public servant. I believe that if I can make a difference in even one person's life then I have succeeded in doing my job," he said. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, sheriff's and deputy sheriffs such as Sgt Mauldin enforce the law at county level. State troopers or highway patrol are responsible for state-wide enforcement, while federal agencies such as the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigate a number of crimes nationally. In 2006, there were 861,000 police officers and detectives employed in the United States, 79% of whom worked at local government level.  |