So You Want To Be A Police Officer (So You Want To Be A...)
About
RECIPIENT of the Mom's Choice Award® Gold — Honoring Excellence
The call comes in and the details are incomplete. You do not have the full picture. You never have the full picture. What you have is training, judgment, and the responsibility to make the right decision in the time available — which is rarely enough, and never negotiable.
So You Want To Be A Police Officer takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the most complex and most consequential professions in public life — not the television version, but the real one. The months of academy training that happen before a recruit ever puts on a badge. The specific discipline of staying calm when everything around you is not — of thinking clearly, communicating precisely, and acting decisively in situations that most people will never face. The team of officers, detectives, dispatchers, and community liaisons working in careful coordination so that the people they serve feel both protected and understood. The shift that passes quietly — and the one that tests everything you have.
This is a book about what police officers actually do: the law they study so they can apply it fairly and correctly in the field, the de-escalation techniques they practice to resolve conflict without force whenever possible, the investigative skills they develop to piece together what happened from evidence that does not always cooperate, and the steady, grounded presence they bring to communities that need someone to show up — not eventually, but now. It’s also a book about what the work costs, what it demands, and why the people who do it say that when you help someone on the worst day of their life and they look at you with relief — there is nothing that prepares you for how much that matters.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real police officer’s training and daily work actually looks like — from the academy to patrol to specialized units
- The law, psychology, and communication skills that effective policing requires — and why judgment matters as much as procedure
- The physical and emotional demands the profession makes — and how officers learn to carry both over a long career
- The full range of law enforcement — from community policing to criminal investigation to emergency response — and what each demands
- What young people can do right now to discover if this might be their calling
Honest, specific, and genuinely illuminating, So You Want To Be A Police Officer doesn’t talk down to young readers — it brings them all the way in. Because the child who wants to know what this work is really like deserves a real answer.
For readers who feel the pull toward something that requires equal parts courage and compassion. For the kid who believes that showing up for people — especially when it is hard — is one of the most important things a person can do.
The call is going out right now. Somewhere, someone needs help. And the person who answers — steady, trained, and ready — chose this. Maybe that someone will be you.
Ages 10–14 · Nonfiction · Careers & Professions · Illustrated
Praise for this book
"So You Want to Be a Police Officer by Linda Soules introduces readers to the daily life, responsibilities, and purpose of a career in law enforcement. The book invites young readers to imagine protecting their community and helping people feel secure, then quickly explains that the job requires both action and understanding people. It follows an officer's role through a range of situations, from responding to emergencies to building relationships in neighborhoods. The narrative shows that much of the work involves listening, observing, and making careful decisions in moments that matter. The book also explores the tools officers use, including communication, training, and technology, and explains how they support both safety and fairness. By presenting a full day in the life of a police officer, from early-morning briefings to writing reports, the story illustrates how varied and demanding the work can be.
Linda Soules guides readers through complex ideas with an easy-to-follow approach. The pacing flows smoothly between explanations and examples. The language is straightforward yet underscores the importance of communication, judgment, and trust in the profession. Descriptions of everyday interactions, such as talking with neighbors or responding to calls, help ground the material in real experiences. The illustrations highlight officers in the community. Readers who are curious about how communities function and how people can help one another will find this approach to learning about law enforcement engaging. So You Want to Be a Police Officer presents information in an easy-to-understand way for children interested in a career in law enforcement."
"When your child says they want to be a police officer, you want honesty, not a cartoon chase scene. Linda Soules's So You Want To Be A Police Officer delivers: a clear-eyed portrait for ages ten to twelve that doubles as a natural parenting conversation starter.
The book meets young dreamers where they actually live, with care about fairness and wanting the block to feel safe, then walks them through what a shift really looks like: roll call, the beat, report writing that can matter in court, and calls that range from a fender bender to someone who is simply scared. Soules keeps circling back to listening and de-escalation, which felt like a useful counterweight to every screen trope my kids have absorbed. I found myself leaning in hardest at the 'surprising' material, how most responses are not 'crime' in the simple sense, and at the candid pages on stress and trauma, which invite readers to see officers as skilled humans under pressure, not action figures.
The voice stays warm and plain, with a direct 'you' address that respects young readers. You get concrete routines, ethics framed as habit, history snippets, and 'prepare right now' ideas kids can try tomorrow. Shared read-aloud gives families a natural pace to pause and talk things through. The author's note on power, responsibility, and earning trust is the passage many caregivers will want to linger on.
For families raising kids who mean it when they say they want to serve, this is a grounded first map: ambition paired with empathy and the unglamorous truth. I would hand it to a curious middle grader without hesitation."
"One of the strongest parts of the book is how much it focuses on communication. It really drives home that talking, listening, and staying calm can solve more problems than force ever could. That message stuck with me."
"I also appreciate how honest it is about the hard parts of the job. It does not ignore the stress, the tough decisions, or the emotional toll it takes on an officer. That balance makes the book feel more real and trustworthy."
"From an educator's perspective, I appreciate how approachable the language is. It's simple without being overly simplistic, and it opens the door for meaningful conversations in a classroom or at home. This would pair well with lessons on community helpers or discussions about safety and responsibility."
"This is a great book series to have in your classroom for young people reading about future careers. It goes in depth as to what this job might entail — the best and worst parts of the job (in an appropriate way for primary school children)."
"It is very interesting to us, that there is shared trust between the community and police officers, and building trust is extremely important... Police officers receive a lot of training, as they are trustworthy, protective, friendly, and want to keep us safe."
"My girls and I enjoyed this. They liked hearing about different aspects of being a police officer and the 'tools.' I liked the transparency of letting kids know that the job isn't just about bad guys."
"Wow! This was the most accurate account of daily policing. It covers everything from a typical day in the life to hard decisions and interactions with the neighborhood. It describes all the training used to make a police officer be the best person in any situation. It has a glossary of the words that may be difficult in understanding while reading and things you can start now at the ages 10 to 14 to prepare for a career in policing! Fantastic read for the young mind deciding on a future endeavor for the community."
"This book was a great representation of good cops out there. I think this and books like this are always important to keep the minds of the young informed."
"This is a great book. There is so much negativity in the world surrounding our officers and I loved reading this book to my kids explaining all the amazing things they do."
"Absolutely wonderful book. Great information written in a way for children to comprehend. Artwork is stunning."
"This is a super insightful book. It would be great for upper elementary and up kids since it goes in depth about the duties a police officer does, more than chasing bad guys."
"This book was interesting because it showed that police work is a lot more than chasing criminals like movies make it seem. I liked how it focused on communication, helping people, and building trust in the community. It gave a more realistic view of the job and was easy to follow."
"This is such an in depth look at what the police do day in, day out everyday. And easily explainable for kids of any age!"
"This is clearly written by someone who has the inner working knowledge of what it is like to be a police officer."
"As a police officer myself, this book was AMAZING! It describes almost 100% everything we go through, feel, think and do. The author is correct, it's not all about chasing bad guys. We listen, de-escalate, problem solve, listen more. We are nothing without the trust of our communities we protect."
"It goes beyond the usual idea of police work and focuses on the human side of the job. I liked that right from the start, it makes it clear that being an officer is not just about chasing criminals. It is about knowing people, listening, and showing up for your community every day."
"This was an amazing read!...this book is perfect for late elementary and middle school aged children. The graphics are beautifully done and the flow of information was done to be easily followed and understood."
"This book is a great introduction for kids who are curious about police work and helping their communities. This book explains law enforcement in a way that is easy to understand, engaging, and respectful of the important role officers play. The colorful information and real-world examples make it both educational and inspiring for young readers who dream of becoming heroes in their own communities. My son loved this book!"
"The author did a marvelous job explaining the important work of a police officer. A police officer's work centers on the community and those they are protected to serve, not all about solving crimes. The illustrations were brilliant."
"This is a great overview of what police work actually looks like. As someone who works in law enforcement, this book discusses many of the “invisible” aspects of the job. People may think a good officer is physically fit and great with weapons, but so much of effective policing comes down to your relationship with the community and your ability to de-escalate a situation. For those who are truly considering police work as a career, the book even includes suggestions for how to prepare for a career in law enforcement."
"Such a sweet and informational book! I ordered this for our summer program at school. We are doing an entire week of appreciation and wanted this for the day our officers come."
"As someone who has worked with grades 5–11 and also serves as a first responder in my off time, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really appreciated that it focused on the real day-to-day responsibilities of police work instead of only the “glory” side of the job. It gave an honest and realistic look into the profession while still being engaging and easy to follow. I would recommend this book for ages 10–15, especially students interested in law enforcement or first responder careers. I’m excited to check out more books in this series."
"As an educator, So You Want to Be a Police Officer by Linda Soules is a wonderful resource for young readers who are beginning to explore future careers and the many ways they can make a positive impact in their communities. Linda Soules has a talent for presenting real-world professions in a way that is both engaging and age-appropriate, making this book an excellent addition to a classroom library or career exploration unit.
What I especially appreciated from a teacher’s perspective is how clearly the book explains the responsibilities, training, and dedication required to become a police officer. It goes beyond the stereotypical image of law enforcement and helps children understand the importance of service, teamwork, problem-solving, and community protection. The information is presented in a way that sparks curiosity while remaining easy for younger readers to follow. This book also encourages meaningful classroom discussions about civic responsibility, helping others, safety, and the many roles people play in keeping communities strong. For students who are naturally curious about law enforcement or careers involving helping others, this book offers both inspiration and practical insight. Linda Soules once again succeeds in creating an educational, encouraging, and informative guide that empowers children to dream about their futures while learning about the real work behind important professions. A highly recommended read for teachers, parents, and young aspiring community helpers."
"Yet another outstanding “So You Want to Be” book. This gave a great overview for children on the role of police officers. We loved the explanation that relationships and communication are some of the most important tools for police officers. The overview of historical law enforcement officers was also fascinating to learn. Great book!"
"This was a fantastic read for a child who may want to become a police officer. I understand there are a lot of other books in the series about different career choices for children. This not only was entertaining but informative and it had great artwork as well."
"This book is very well written and explains the importance of what a police officer does and how to be a guide and fair police officer. It teaches a child that a police officer is a human and the job has high responsibilities!"
"I think this is a must read for all ages. It explains what being a police officer is about. It is beautifully written and the illustrations are very well executed. I definitely recommend this book."
"This is an awesome book to show children more about what police officers do. This should be part of the school's curriculum."
"Packed with detail and strong visuals, this book treats its audience with respect. It covers the physical, emotional, and ethical sides of policing in a way that’s honest but age‑appropriate. A great addition to any middle‑grade nonfiction shelf."
"This book is a beautiful inside look into the lives of our officers. Even if you aren’t considering it as a career, it’s really amazing to see everything that the career entails."
"What a great book for kids to understand what it means to be a police officer. Very clear and concise! It also shares how the job is (good and bad) without being too much or too vague. I also found the images were fantastic! Kids would love this."