Why did you become a LEO?

[Lumpia is sarap!®]

Pretty much self-explanatory and every answer is unique.

GO!

[Samuelx]

if you can't beat em, join em...

[IrishJoe3]

I serve my country as a Soldier, I serve my community as a cop. /end

[fullrearview]

I serve my country as a Soldier, I serve my community as a cop. /end

Pretty much this although I didn't get to serve my country as long as I wanted to.

Basically:
I don't like bullies.
I like helping people.
I get put away some of the worst scum the world has seen.
I get paid to shoot guns, drive fast, fly at the end of a 150 ft. rope below helicopters, and tons of other cool stuff.


Last but definitely not least, I get to uphold the COTUS.

Sounds cheezy I know.

[veeklog]

Wild kid, was looking for something fun and exciting in life. I found it!

[Notorious]

1. I get a cool uniform which saves time getting dressed since I don't have to pick out shirt/tie/suit/socks/shoes combo everyday
2. I get paid to go shooting and get free ammo while my friends have to pay for it
3. I get a company car that goes pretty fast and gets crappy gas mileage
4. I get to make people feel safer just by being at work and being visible
5. I get to know that everyday, whether or not I make an arrest, I am making a difference in the community by being out there as the visible presence of Law & Order
6. I get to do what I want to do for a job even though I would do it for free and there is nothing else in life better than that when it comes to work satisfaction

[foomxyooj]

^^Well said.

I just wanted to be like Jack Bauer.

[epilepticninja]

When I was in law enforcement, I was still serving my country on active duty and my community as a reserve. Mainly I got into it because my day job was boring, and I wanted to see what was on the other side of the "fine" line that I was often told I walked.

[Falconis]

While going to College, I found out it was the best job around and definitely the most rewarding. Pay sucked when I started and only became real good after everyone else's salaries went down or went away. For a long time, we were about 15 percent behind the private sector in many ways, even during the height of the economy.

[c3 rolling]

I wanted to make a difference and not become a sheep like the rest of my family. Not sure if I'm made a difference in the last 6 years but it sure has been fun......and tiring.

[johnthomas]

I asked my son in law that once, he said, drive fast and shoot guns. Making over a hundred grand a year doesn't hurt either.

[sendithit]

Cuz I'm a natural-born sheepdog ever since I helped break-up the first fight I saw in grade school and stepped up to help defend a lone kid from a bunch of bullies. It also helped to be a big kid! Its more serious stuff nowadays, but the feelings the same....were either wolves, sheepdogs or sheep. Im a sheepdog.

[Che762x39]

I serve my country as a Soldier, I serve my community as a cop. /end

+1

Between wars, next best job.

[WARDOG]

Spent 5 years in the Army doing crazy stuff all around the world on Uncle Sam's dime. Jumping from planes & helicopters, climbing and rappelling cliffs, firefights, blowing stuff up, using expensive stuff and being able to treat them like expendible tools to get the job done...
they all turned me into an action junkie.
I hate the daily grind, staring at the clock for quittin' time, not making a difference, not having some control other than one vote at elections of the community where my wife and kids live.
All reasons that guided me to the path of Law Enforcement.
Loved my job, most of my co-workers, was able to make a difference in so many ways, the ability to enforce my pet peeves, take dirtbags and wife beaters to the county lock-up, make a good impression on regular citizens, and young children, be a Pain in the arss to doper's, thieves, scammer's, habitual drunk drivers, illegal immigrant crooks from any country....
OH, and to pick on Carnie's. I felt all 'giddy' when the fair came to town.
I never dreaded going to work, even when working graveyard and spending all day in court, then back to work. Every day different things, in a different order, made the workday fly.
Being empowered to make a difference internally as a Sergeant motivating old salts and teaching the trade to new officers, then to ride the arss of lazy Sergeants as Admin.
LOVED it, MISS it!

[Gnome]

Fire Department wasn't hiring...




Was in the process of being hired as a firefighter, but with 20,000 applicants, it was pretty much "Hurry up and wait." I knew I wanted to help people, and do something different everyday. I decided to submit an application and see where it went.

Tested and passed. Next thing I knew, I was moving forward in the process. I did my tour of MCJ and came out hungry for the job. Graduated academy and never looked back.

Though LE was not my initial plan, I love my job and wouldn't want to do anything else. I am still helping people, working outdoors (soon, very soon), and do something different everyday. And on my department, the possibilities are endless. I am truly blessed. I believe the Lord had a plan for me, and "draggin' a hose" wasn't it. However, firefighters will always have a special place in my heart.

OP, this is a great thread. It helps to affirm why we chose to do what we do. Thank you.