After a conversation with a friend of mine who is a female law enforcement officer, I got to thinking about some of the unique struggles females face when they plan on becoming a police officer. As one of those lucky ladies, all of these are things that have crossed my mind on many occasions. For starters, everyone you have a negative interaction with is significantly more likely to try to fight you because you are a female. You probably won't be taken very seriously by the people you are trying to help and even by some of your fellow officers. Your coworkers may also feel a need to back you up on all of your calls at least until you finally prove to them that you can take care of yourself.

While these are pretty frustrating, there is one concern that sticks with me the most and that is the added difficulty this field of work adds to having a family. Don't try to tell me that finding a man that is comfortable with me becoming a police officer is an easy task, because it isn't. Some guys just don't respect the profession, whereas others would find it too threatening to their masculinity to be dating a girl that is "tougher" than they are. If you want to have kids in the future, you have to find someone who is willing to accept that you will be working long hours and they will have to be very involved in raising the kids while you are out in the field.

You also have to be willing to accept the fact that one day you may not come home from work, leaving your kids without a mom and your spouse without a wife. While this is something you have probably already made peace with this when you chose this line of work, you have to find a spouse who is able to make peace with this as well. It is easy to get disheartened watching people run for the hills when you tell them you're going to be a police officer, but I would rather be alone then be with someone who doesn't support my career choices.

All the negatives aside (there are many not listed), none of these things are worth walking away from my career to avoid. I'll defend the blue line whether I've got people standing behind me or not. The many positives of the job far outweigh the negatives, even though putting on my uniform every day means putting a target on my back. Ladies, there are men out there who are strong enough to support you and your future career. Don't settle for one who isn't, and definitely don't walk away from your career just to keep a guy around. It isn't worth it.