Thread: Is an LE career a good choice? If so, which one?

Hello,

I'm considering a LE career, and need some advice.

I've been investigating a death in my family, taking time off from work to do so. I know who has done it, and with time I hope to convict him, but it won't be quick. There is no hard evidence, only lots and lots of circumstantial evidence. And yes, I have been to the police, multiple times. I suspect that the wheels of justice are starting to grind, but they do grind slowly. It could take years to even bring him to trial.

As a result of my investigations, I've received some subtle death threats targeting my kids. He's smart enough to make the threats plausibly deniable (something the police won't be able to do anything about if they even take them seriously), but something I'll know to interpret as threats, and know who they came from. I can't take the risk that he won't make good on them. Should he attack, I know that he won't attack me, he'll choose a moment when my wife is alone with the kids.

I know that in a lot of cases, threats are just that, but this guy is a psychopath. He has already followed my family and is stalking us. And he is very, very smart. I can't take the risk that he won't attempt to make good on his threat. I can't stay at home with my family forever, my life savings will run out.

I want to get on with my life and start providing for my family again, so moving, and even moving back to the USA (I'm a US citizen) is an option. I think it is very likely he will attempt to track me down. One of my options is trying not to be found. That's going to be very difficult and hard on my family. Personally, I could do it without much problem but it's hard on my wife.

Thinking outside the box, another option I've considered is LE. Ultimately I would want to do some sort of detective work, preferably homicide related. I would love to catch murderers and get paid for it. I have already studied a lot of books on investigation and related fields in my own time. I believe that I would be a valued member of any police force, as that would be my primary focus when on the job.

I suspect that there might be quite a few other advantages to a LE career, but I would like to confirm that with people on here.

1. Being a member of "America's largest street gang". Should I prove myself to be a solid, reliable LEO, I would have the LE fraternity at my back should my family's stalker show up, and potentially some of their information resources. It would also act as a deterrent. It's one thing to kill a civilian and get away with it, but quite another to kill a cop. The success of cops at finding and prosecuting those who kill members of their own is very good, or so I'm led to believe.

Another aspect of this is that I am confident that I will be able to prove my competence rapidly enough. I'm used to difficult, complex work. I'm an engineer by qualification. It would be useful to have a group of LEO peers who are inclined to give my analysis the benefit of the doubt based on my reputation, should that become necessary.

Following on from that, there is the ability to network with other people in LE that could be very useful in pursuing my own investigation.

2. Learning investigative techniques, and getting paid for it. Pretty much speaks for itself. I am not going to let my family member's death go. When I get time off, I will continue to investigate on my own. I want to get better at investigation, and to get paid to practice it by doing my job would be ideal.

3. Carrying a gun and the training in how to use it properly could come in very handy should I be attacked.

Please note, my hope is that the stalker would be deterred from further stalking once he sees what I'm doing. I would like nothing more than to excel at an LE career and provide for my family, and to give more than receive by doing so.

Ok, so do you think the idea of a LE is a good one and has some of the benefits described? If you were in my situation, would you feel a lot more comfortable being an LEO rather than a civilian?

And if so, would it be better to go local somewhere, or try a federal agency? Engineering and foreign language ability is something the FBI look for, but I wouldn't qualify for FBI special agent as they require me to have lived 3 out of the last 5 years in the USA. I don't think FBI professional staff have this same requirement, though I have my doubts that there would be the same level of camaraderie between professional staff and special agents, which is something I am definitely seeking.

Thanks to all who take the time to read and respond.

Please read the rules of the Board. We don't do crystal ball predictions.

Your 'inquiry' is more like a statement than a question. Please do some 'searches' on the Board and you'll find many threads on discussions of LE as a career. Perhaps it will give you some ideas on other areas in LE and a broader look at what they do.