Professional Career Choice and Career Start in Regards to the Expectations of Hungarian Law Enforcement Higher Education and of the Law Enforcement Organs

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the Faculty of Law Enforcement of the National University of Public Service and the admission process awaiting the members of generation Z – and within it, those who wish to apply for officer cadet status – as well as the drop-out rates and their causes following successful admission, and also the prerequisite base competences expected within the framework of public service and in law enforcement. The young applicants admitted to the Faculty of Law Enforcement are supposed to represent a significant proportion of the future reinforcement of the professional service personnel, thus the member of generation Z not only stand at the gates of higher education but at the gates of the law enforcement labour market, too. Through our study, we would like to highlight the correlations emerging between the competence-based expectations of the law enforcement organs from the young career starters and the university admission process as well as the individual wishes of the applicants, and the level of contrast or synergy of the physical and intellectual status of the students in this matter. From this perspective, the question may arise whether it is necessary to implement any changes in the set of conditions, expectations or attitudes regarding the higher educational training or in the starting phase of the law enforcement career path.