Is It Wise to Drop Out of Law School to Become a Police Officer?

If you are in law school in the U.S. and aren't dealing with extraordinary circumstances, I would advise against dropping out. Once you gain momentum in your studies, it's better to ride it through. It would be rather unexpected to see someone pause their studies and return to complete them.

Instead, if you have a calling for law enforcement, continue your legal studies and then apply for a position as a police officer. Take the bar exam while you are working on this new career path. You will become eligible for Public Service Debt Forgiveness, and income-based repayment programs will allow you to maintain low payments. Your student debt will be cleared in 10 years.

Choosing to start law school and then enter a career with the police isn't likely to make you a significantly better police officer. If you have completed the first year of law school, you will bring a unique perspective to the police academy compared to your instructors, but it won't give you a significant advantage. You will have a better understanding of negligence than your instructors, which is a critical issue in many police engagements, but that alone won't make you a standout officer.

A lot of police officers have a solid grasp of the case law relevant to their field, and you might have a slightly better ability to analyze and test legal ideas, but it's not a substantial edge. Being a police officer is no less demanding or competitive than becoming a lawyer, and both careers have their unique challenges and rewards.

For those who are eager to serve as a police officer in the next three years, starting law school would be unwise. It might be somewhat unusual for someone to decide to go to law school and then become a regular police officer. I myself worked as a police officer, instructor, and lawyer, and after my first stint in legal work, I found that the police job wasn’t as fulfilling as I had hoped and returned to my legal career.

Deciding on Your Path

Ultimately, it's a personal decision that should align with what will make you feel more fulfilled in life. There is nothing inherently wrong with aspiring to be a police officer and then returning to law school later. I have known several police officers who are also lawyers, and these roles are not mutually exclusive.

If your heart is set on becoming a police officer, there's no shame in pursuing that career path either. Law school can be rigorous, especially in the U.S., where you typically need a bachelor's degree before attending law school, meaning you could spend at least seven years in academic settings to obtain your law degree.

Consider your long-term goals and what you find most fulfilling. If law school is more aligned with your life aspirations, then that's the path you should take. However, if you feel that you might be more suited to law enforcement and still want to potentially return to legal studies later, it's a valid choice as well.

In conclusion, the decision to drop out of law school to become a police officer is a complex one that should be carefully considered. Both professions have their unique benefits and challenges, and your decision should be driven by what will ultimately bring you the greatest sense of fulfillment and purpose.