Criminal Justice Careers
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Criminal Justice Career Overview
Criminal Justice Careers are known to be both exciting and rewarding. Jobs in this field are varied, and they can range from a trial lawyer or a paralegal who work with criminal defense lawyers, to a corrections officer working in state prisons, to a homicide detective who solves murders.
Many government organizations need people who have a strong understanding of criminology and crime statistics, and this has created an increased need for highly trained Criminal Justice professionals. There are many support roles throughout the criminal justice and law enforcement community.
Homeland Security has grown in emphasis over the last few years, and it’s created an unprecedented demand for criminal justice and security professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2010 there will be more than a 29% increase in the demand for FBI Agents, Police Officers, Private Detectives, U.S. Customs Agents and many others.
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Criminal Justice Training & Education
Criminal Justice professionals usually have at least a Bachelor’s degree, although the degree does not necessarily have to be in an area related to Criminal Justice. However, many colleges and universities do offer Bachelor’s programs in Criminal Justice, which often contains a specialized overview of the criminal justice system.
These Bachelor’s degree preparing graduates for entry-level or middle-management positions in a broad array of criminal justice environments, and students graduating from these programs can look forward to jobs as fraud investigators, loss prevention managers and detectives.
Many students go on to pursue a Master’s degree, or one that combines coursework with hands-on experience. These types of programs prepare students and professionals for a much wider array of jobs in law enforcement administration, corrections, juvenile justice, drug abuse and abuse counseling. Some of these jobs include a forensic scientist, a crime prevention specialist and a criminal investigator.
Criminal Justice Career & Salary
Many government organizations need people who have a strong understanding of criminology and crime statistics, and this has created an increased need for highly trained Criminal Justice professionals. There are many support roles throughout the criminal justice and law enforcement community.
Criminal justice careers are varied and they can encompass a variety of jobs. Typically, these careers welcome people with backgrounds in:
- criminal justice
- criminology
- sociology
- political science
- psychology
- social work
- liberal arts
- human services disciplines
The employment possibilities within the traditional police, courts, and corrections areas are being expanded with opportunities in private business. Because the types of careers in this field are so varied, the salaries are very different as well. Security guards are on the lower end at about $22,000, and FIB and CIA agents and those in managerial roles can make $75,000 and more. Police officers make about $45,000.
Law Enforcement Career
Law Enforcement Careers are known to be both exciting and rewarding. Jobs in this field are varied, and they can range from a trial lawyer or a paralegal who work with criminal defense lawyers, to a corrections officer working in state prisons, to a homicide detective who solves murders.
Many government organizations need people who have a strong understanding of criminology and crime statistics, and this has created an increased need for highly trained Law Enforcement professionals. There are many support roles throughout the criminal justice and law enforcement community.
Homeland Security has grown in emphasis over the last few years, and it’s created an unprecedented demand for criminal justice and security professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2010 there will be more than a 29% increase in the demand for FBI Agents, Police Officers, Private Detectives, U.S. Customs Agents and many others.
State Highway Patrol Career
State Highway Patrol Troopers play an important role in the Criminal Justice field. The job of a State Highway Patrol Trooper is to promote safety and enforce traffic laws for the motoring public. A trooper provides assistance to motorists and is responsible for investigating highway traffic crashes and other roadway emergencies.
Other responsibilities include assisting local police officers upon request, investigating crimes, and enforcing criminal laws. A trooper must work under all climatic conditions and is frequently required to drive at high speeds. Work schedules change regularly, and officers are subject to call at any time. State Highway Patrol Officers must work well with other individuals and be able to handle high-stress situations well.
Computer Forensics Officer Career
Computer Forensics Officers use investigative techniques to identify and a wide variety of criminal activity that takes place on computers and on the Internet. This includes crimes against both individuals and large companies, such as identify theft, "phishing" (tricking users into revealing their private personal and financial information), virus-creation, financial embezzlement, child pornography and intellectual property theft.
Computer Forensics officers thoroughly examine any system that has been used for, or has been the target for criminal activity. They can retrieve data which appears to have been erased or lost, recover encrypted and damaged digital information, and unearth "hidden" files. The goal of Computer Forensics Officers is to produce potential legal evidence that is admissible in a court of law – and just like regular police officers, they can help criminals go to jail.
Police Detective Career
Detectives are an important part of the Criminal Justice field. Detectives are similar to investigators in that they collect evidence and gather facts for criminal cases. Some may be assigned to work as part of an inter-agency task force combating specific types of crime.
These detectives examine records, observe the activities of suspects, conduct interviews, and participate in raids and arrests. Typically, detectives, inspectors, State and Federal agents specialize in one of many specific areas of violation, such as fraud or homicide. Within their specialization they are assigned cases on a rotating basis. They then work their assigned case until a conviction or arrest is made, or until the case is dropped.
