These days, when uncertain economic times are putting many careers in doubt, an increasing number of people are looking to work in law enforcement. And there are very good reasons for this.

As many industries have shrunk, North American communities have steadily increased their budgets for law enforcement. Police officers now enjoy better pay and often outstanding benefits.

Even more important, being a police officer gives you an opportunity to improve life in your community in very direct and concrete ways. Police work can be challenging and even dangerous at times, yet few occupations are as rewarding.

With the many positive benefits to working in law enforcement, a growing supply of qualified people are now vying for every opening. I’ve seen cases where 500 people are applying for every one job opening. It’s now increasingly rare for anyone to merely “walk” into a police job.

You must not only pass, but do well on the Police Entrance Exam.

This is an aptitude test much like exams other industries require applicants to take. Your score on the test will usually determine your chances of getting the job. Score well, and you may be hired immediately. A lower score will probably mean you have to wait, maybe even taking the exam again.

Most people wind up doing poorly on the test because they assume since it’s an aptitude test, you can’t prepare for it. But just like studying for the SAT or ACT college entrance exams, successful law enforcement applicants use “score boosting” strategies to get high marks on the police exam.

You can actually study the questions typically used on police exams, so you will already know the answers to most of the questions on the test. There are also simple strategies for doing well on the physical exam most police departments require. You can also learn how to answer questions wisely in job interviews, and learn about the pitfalls that doom most applicants.

Police work could be exactly what you should be doing. Don’t let the entrance requirements and competition keep you from achieving your dream of being a police offer. Preparing for and doing well on the Police Entrance Exams will greatly improve your chances of speedy success.