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MACOMB, IL -- Sure they have lots of action and crime, but for those pursuing a career in law enforcement, Mini series like CSI and Law and Order may alter a person's perception of what their job really entails.

Dr. Terry Mors is a Law Enforcement and Justice professor at WIU. He says all that glitters isn't gold, and that can be a rude awakening for first time cops.

"They don't have the big fancy CSI division, but that's what they see on tv and their perception becomes reality," said Mors.

Mors says those prime time shows, attracts job seekers to bigger cities, where they hope to get more bang for their buck, but  says that may not necessarily be the case.

"What they don't realize is that the cost of living is so much higher. They're going to be paying 12 to 13 hundred dollars per month for a 1 bedroom apartment, they really don't take that into consideration," he said.

He also says, times have changed. With pension portability laws, it's easier to move around, leaving some agencies behind.

"Those coming into law enforcement came in as a career. When they came in, they stayed with a department their entire career. Today's employees are actually moving from department to department and it's this what's in it for me attitude," said Mors.

To help with the departmental slump, Mors says agencies need to change their recruiting techniques, getting people interested in their agency specifically. If they can reach out to more females and minorities and a wide range of people, they can increase their chances of more well-rounded, qualified candidates.