The role of law enforcement in a just society is a crucially important one. Careers in law enforcement help provide the feeling of safety and justice that allows people to freely interact in the way that drives the economy forward and lets society run smoothly.

Oregon is receiving more than $13 million in federal funds dedicated to helping maintain or increase public safety in the state by creating or preserving jobs in the law enforcement community. These funds come from the stimulus and recovery act passed by the Obama administration earlier this year and are part of an overall $4 billion package that is to be spent nationwide for law enforcement and criminal justice activities.

"This vital funding will help fight crime and build safer communities," said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there were 861,000 police and detectives employed in the U.S. in 2006, and that number is expected to rise to just shy of 1 million by 2016. Most of those will be police officers.