T H E F L O R I D A B A R D I V E R S I T Y A N D I N C L U S I O N
Sasha Lohn - St. Petersburg Police Department
C O M M I T T E E
sworn to serve:
Lawyers as
Law enforcement
officers
Locally, lawyers who seek
to join the force would be
in excellent company.
F
or many new attorneys
in our lawyer-saturated
Pinellas County Judge Joshua Riba, a former St. Petersburg Police Department officer
state, the prospect of
himself, swearing in a new class of St. Petersburg Police Department officers.
finding a paying legal job
is daunting. At the same
community. But according to Col. Perotti, the most
time, as policing becomes more and more complex,
significant benefit may be the sense of a deeper purpose:
lawyers who thrive in a fast-paced environment may
“The potential of a well-versed lawyer to transfer his
consider applying to become law enforcement officers.
or her talents toward other pursuits is virtually
Many of the skills that make for a good lawyer also
limitless. In the end, it’s about finding that career that
make for an excellent law enforcement officer. These
is more than ‘just a job.’ Good compensation
qualities include empathy, integrity, attention to detail,
matters, but satisfying that sense of deeper purpose
excellent writing skills, and the ability to keep your cool.
is most compelling.”
Locally, lawyers who seek to join the force would be in
Police work, by all accounts, is a
excellent company. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri
calling as opposed to a job, and the
and Hillsborough County Colonel Michael Perotti are
opportunity to protect and serve
both lawyers and sworn law enforcement officers. Pinellas
includes a deep commitment to the
County Judge Josh Riba joined the St. Petersburg Police
law. Interested lawyers should check
Department after law school but before becoming an
out the hiring/employment sections
Assistant State Attorney and, now, a judge.
on law enforcement agency websites.
The benefits of a law enforcement career are as robust
as its challenges: a pension; a starting salary that regularly
Author: Sasha Lohn - St. Petersburg
bests those offered at government sector legal offices; and
Police Department
most importantly, the opportunity to truly serve one’s
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