Learn about careers in law enforcement

Overview: Atlanta police sergeant Connie Locke provides an informative and positive perspective on the role of a police officer. Have students learn about Locke's training and experiences. Direct them to conduct research on careers in law enforcement and apply this information to their own career considerations.

Curriculum Connections: Career Education

Have students read the CNN Student News story, "Career in focus: police officer," and listen to the audios to answer the following questions:

1. Why does Connie Locke love being a police officer in Atlanta, Georgia? What type of professional training do Atlanta police officers receive? What challenges does Locke encounter on the job? Why is it important for a police officer to be attentive and to have good communication skills? Why does a police officer need to understand the cultures in his/her community?

2. In an interview, Locke states that police officers wear different kinds of professional "hats." What does she mean? Challenge students to think of examples of times in the line of duty when a police officer might assume the roles of a psychologist, a teacher, an attorney and a doctor. What type of person do you think would make a good police officer? Would you be interested in becoming an officer? Why or why not?

3. Inform students that, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, "There are approximately 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States. About 10 percent of them are female." Ask students: How do you feel about female police officers? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to having women on the force? Under what circumstances might you prefer to have a female police officer respond to your call? Under what circumstances might you prefer to have a male police officer respond to your call?

4. Challenge students to learn more about careers in law enforcement. Invite professionals in this field to talk to students about careers as special agents, police officers, communications officers, prosecuting attorneys, crime lab technicians, etc. Encourage students to research law enforcement careers with which they may not be familiar, and share their information with the class.

Materials on this site are reproducible for classroom use.