Criminal justice, a broad discipline and field of study. The jobs you can get are endless. From forensic analyst to corrections officer it is all available within the field of criminal justice. You can make a difference every day by working in different roles throughout the criminal justice field.
There are a variety of jobs available in the criminal justice field. Here are just a few:
-Police officers: Police officers enforce laws and keep their communities safe. They can be employed by local, state, or federal agencies.
-Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs: Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs are law enforcement officials who work for county governments.
-Federal agents: Federal agents enforce federal laws such as those against drugs and terrorism. They may work for agencies such as the FBI or DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).
-Detectives: Detectives investigate crimes that have already happened in order to solve them. They can work for local police departments or larger federal agencies like the FBI or DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).
-Private investigators: Private investigators provide security services to businesses and individuals who need help protecting their property or themselves from threats such as theft (stealing something), physical harm (someone hurting you), financial loss (money being stolen), identity theft (someone pretending to be you), etcetera.
What jobs can you get in criminal justice
Introduction
You’ve decided to pursue a career in criminal justice. But where do you begin? Not only are there many options for your major, but once you graduate, you will also have a wide variety of career paths to choose from. There are some popular jobs in the field that most people already know about—police officer, FBI agent—but there are also more “unsung heroes” of the judicial system who contribute just as much to our safety and security. Keep reading to discover which career might be best for you!
Police/Sheriff Officer
Police officers are responsible for enforcing laws and keeping the peace in their communities. Police officers work for local, state or federal law enforcement agencies. The job is physically demanding as police officers walk a lot while on duty, and they need to be in good physical shape. Police officers spend most of their time patrolling streets, investigating crimes and other incidents that occur in their jurisdiction, interviewing witnesses and suspects after crimes have been committed, directing traffic at accident scenes and investigating traffic accidents involving injuries or deaths (felony crashes).
Police officers face many stressful situations that can affect them psychologically. They often come into contact with people who are experiencing emotional distress due to an incident they have witnessed or experienced themselves (e.g., individuals involved in domestic violence disputes). Police departments offer counseling services as needed to help manage stress levels among their employees
Homeland Security
Homeland Security is a branch of the government that is responsible for protecting the country from terrorism. Homeland Security also helps to protect the country from other threats, such as natural disasters. There are many different divisions within Homeland Security, each of which employs people with different skillsets and responsibilities.
Homeland Security is not a law enforcement agency; it’s more like a federal version of an emergency response team. If you’re interested in helping people during emergencies, this could be a good fit for your skill set!
Parole/Probation Officers
Parole and probation officers are responsible for supervising offenders who have been released on parole or after serving a prison sentence. The purpose of parole and probation is to protect the public from further criminal activity and help offenders reintegrate into society as productive members of their communities. Parole officers make sure that the offender complies with the conditions of his or her release, while also helping him or her adjust to life outside jail.
Parole officers work closely with other law enforcement agencies and government officials in their jurisdictions when an offender violates his or her parole or probation terms. Many parole officers also serve as liaisons between corrections facilities and community organizations such as schools, churches, and mental health centers where they may be able to find resources for people being released on parole.
Court Reporter
A court reporter is responsible for transcribing what is said in court proceedings. This requires a high level of accuracy and clarity, as the transcript may be used at a later date to decide a case. The United States Federal Rules of Evidence require that all testimony be recorded verbatim by either a qualified stenographer or certified shorthand reporter (Rule 45), with exceptions only if the testimony is recorded by mechanical means such as videotape or digital recording equipment (Rule 54).
Court reporters are required by law in most states, though they do not necessarily have to be licensed if they work exclusively within one jurisdiction. State licensing requirements vary widely and can include passing an exam similar to that required for other professions like nurses or accountants; earning an associate degree from an accredited school; working under supervision from another court reporter for at least two years; or completing an apprenticeship program designed specifically for court reporting students who want to become certified when they complete their education at one of these schools where courses on transcription techniques are taught alongside general education classes such as math and literature classes which might not otherwise have been offered when these colleges first opened their doors approximately 100 years ago!
Corrections Officers
- Corrections officers are responsible for supervising inmates in jails and prisons. They monitor the flow of traffic in and out of their institutions, make sure that inmates follow the rules, bring them their meals and clean up after them, maintain order within the institution itself.
- Officers also have responsibilities outside of their institutions. In some jurisdictions, they may be required to carry out court orders such as collecting a prisoner from jail or transporting someone between facilities.
- It is also common for correctional officers to work with parolees or probationers who have been released from jail but remain under supervision by a law enforcement agency until their sentences expire (in some cases this can be years).
FBI Agent
- FBI agents are responsible for investigating federal crimes. They work with local law enforcement agencies, such as the police and sheriff’s departments, to gather information about criminal activity and bring it to the attention of their superiors. They may also be required to testify in court on behalf of the government.
- To become an FBI agent, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and have completed at least three years of work experience in any field related to criminal justice (e.g., police officer). You must also pass a physical fitness test assessing strength, endurance, agility and speed. Applicants must undergo a background check before being accepted into the program.
- Age requirements vary slightly by agency but are generally between 23–37 years old when hired as an agent; however there are some exceptions based on individual circumstances including education level attained prior to entering service with either one or two years left until completion so long as they have met all other criteria at time applying (including citizenship status).
U.S Border Patrol Agents
Border Patrol Agents are responsible for protecting U.S borders, guarding against illegal immigration and preventing terrorist attacks. Border Patrol Agents may assist in the investigation of crimes committed on federal property or in cases involving aliens who have entered the country illegally.
These law enforcement professionals must undergo a rigorous selection process before they can be hired as part of this specialized group. They must pass a written test that covers general knowledge of English grammar, geography and criminal justice concepts; they also must pass an extensive physical fitness test designed to measure their strength and agility.
Border Patrol agents typically work rotating shifts that could include nights, weekends and holidays depending on where they are stationed. However, unlike police officers who usually respond to calls about crime off-duty hours (and receive overtime pay for it), border patrol agents typically work shifts lasting anywhere from eight hours to 14 hours at a time without receiving any additional compensation.
S. Marshals Service
The U.S. Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice that assists other branches of the government with their investigations and operations. The S. Marshals Service was founded in 1789 to help enforce fugitive slave laws, but its jurisdiction has expanded significantly over time. It currently serves as an investigative arm for some federal courts and is responsible for protecting high-value targets in witness protection programs, such as mob informants or police officers who have been threatened by criminals they are testifying against.
The S. Marshals Service also helps investigate crimes related to money laundering; drug trafficking; computer hacking; white collar crime like securities fraud and identity theft; human trafficking; terrorism financing; violent gangs like MS-13 (which has been linked to murders along America’s southern border); sex trafficking rings (which often involve children); corruption among elected leaders at all levels of government (including mayors); counterfeiting operations involving money, drugs or other goods/services (often imported from China).
Private Investigator/ Detective
If you want to become a private investigator or detective, there are a few routes you can take. You could work your way up through the ranks of law enforcement, or you could pursue an entirely different career path. If you decide to go down this route, there are many things that need to be considered before making your decision.
The first thing to understand is what kind of job you’re interested in doing. There are many different kinds of investigations that need doing: corporate security and fraud detection, personal protection against stalkers and other threats (bodyguards), missing persons cases… anything from small-scale cases up through large-scale international espionage investigations where enemies may be trying their best not only to avoid being discovered but also make sure that any evidence was lost or destroyed beforehand so it couldn’t lead anywhere else after they were done cleaning house for good measure.”
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
If you’re fascinated by forensics, a career as a crime scene investigator (CSI) might be the perfect fit for you. CSI investigators are responsible for collecting and analyzing evidence at crime scenes. In addition to working closely with police officers and detectives, they use forensic science techniques such as fingerprinting and DNA testing to help solve crimes.
CSIs work for local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). They may also work as private investigators or in various other capacities that require specialized training in criminal justice fieldwork.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment growth in this field will increase by 13% between 2016-2026—which is faster than average job growth across all occupations
DEA Agent
As a DEA agent, you’ll have the power to enforce federal drug laws. You’ll be armed and stationed in the US, the Caribbean, and South America. Your primary duties will include investigating drug trafficking, drug smuggling, and drug abuse.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is a federal law enforcement agency that enforces controlled substances laws throughout America’s borders as well as in international waters.
To become a DEA agent you must: be at least 23 years old; possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; have at least three years of full-time work experience; pass background checks; pass exams that measure intelligence and written skills; meet medical requirements for fitness when required by assignment location; receive security clearance before starting training.
Here are some options for people interested in a career in criminal justice.
If you’re interested in a career in criminal justice, there are several options to consider. Some of the most common are police officers and detectives; probation officers, parole officers, and court reporters; corrections officers; crime scene investigators; border patrol agents; U.S. marshals; court clerks and court reporters.
Conclusion
There are many career paths within criminal justice, from those that require a college degree to those that do not. These jobs can be challenging but rewarding for people who want to help others and make a difference in their community. Some careers, like police officers or detectives, are high-risk and require specific training. Others may be more suited to someone who likes working behind the scenes or doesn’t want to deal with dangerous situations on a regular basis like working as an FBI Agent or U.S Border Patrol Agent which requires an associate’s degree or higher education credentials.
