A career in law enforcement affords graduates an opportunity to break out their safe zone while also giving them the chance to make a lasting contribution to their community.

Susan Benton started her career working in a county and sheriff's office. Once she hit the streets, the Catholic-raised officer found she had to break out of her comfort zone to confront not only deceit and dishonesty but also to help the best of humanity.

Ms Benton soon realized that police work was her calling, she told Highlands Today, because it allowed her to help people and improve her community.

It also gave her valuable and wide-ranging experience - from administration and public information to grant writing, narcotics, undercover work, search warrants and working with other members of the department.

Using this foundation, Ms Benton ran for and was elected sheriff when the incumbent retired in 2003.

"I want people to know that I'm a law enforcement officer because I care," she said.

Police officers and detectives held 861,000 jobs in the US in 2006, figures from the Department of Labor show.