Power, influence, control and ego
When I left the University of Arkansas a long time ago without a degree, I moved in with my parents in Tulsa, Oklahoma until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. After working in the construction trades for a few months, my mom had a friend who was good friends with the Tulsa police chief and she suggested to me that might be something I would want to consider. Before that moment, being a police officer had never entered my mind but it sounded more fun and exciting than digging ditches and carrying pipe so I agreed to do it. There was no compelling notion on my part to protect and serve or give back to the community. It just sounded like a better job than the one I had.