The Path to the Shield is a comprehensive guide for those individuals who desire a career in police work or are, at least, strongly considering this career field. Whether a potential applicant is in high school, college, or already in the workforce, there are a set of basic guidelines to which one should adhere in order to ensure the best chances of a police employment offer. The Path to the Shield is up-to-date in terms of its content but also stresses the basic tenets of policing, which are timeless in nature. This work outlines the specific steps that interested individuals need to take in their journey toward a policing career, as well as listing those things that should be carefully avoided. The Path to the Shield is a self-help book designed to prepare potential police officer applicants for this critically important role in our society. The actions of police officers in our great nation are seldom heralded and are very often criticized. The daily newspapers published throughout our land always mention accounts of policing actions, as do television news segments every evening. Due to the vital nature of this career field, it is of utmost importance that the very finest individuals make the decision to answer the calling to law enforcement and are properly guided through the process of getting themselves hired. Perhaps most importantly, The Path to the Shield describes the nature of police work in detail, to help potential applicants make an informed decision as to whether or not to actually apply to a police department. The unpleasant aspects of the job are detailed in this work, as are the positive and rewarding benefits of a policing career. The personal motivation of persons seeking to become police officers is discussed, as one's motives should be rooted in serving society and giving of themselves in this guardian role. This book is highly recommended for anyone even remotely considering a career in policing.