Law Enforcement Careers

Career choices, opportunities and advancement are available for those who want to have a career in criminal justice. These opportunities include work such as police officers, correctional officers, paralegals, private investigators, crime scene investigators, forensic psychologists, and lawyers.

The chief duty of a police officer or sheriff is to implement the law. This involves protecting communities against criminals, arresting law offenders, and examining crimes. They seek and gather evidence to aid in prosecuting criminals and law offenders, file detailed reports, and become a witness in court when needed. Many police officers serve in towns or in cities. Sheriff’s deputies, on the other hand, usually serve in small, rural areas that have no police department of their own. Police officers and sheriffs deputies are trained to act in response to a wide variety of situations and emergencies. One of the career advancement opportunities in criminal justice for sheriffs and police officers is heading up particular units like homicide. Another advancement opportunity is also available for sheriffs and police to replace those in office who are reaching retirement age.

One of the duties of a correctional officer is to watch over or manage offenders who are serving their time in jail, reformatory, or penitentiary and those who are incarcerated but still awaiting trial. To avoid escapes, assaults, and conflicts, they safeguard inmate security and responsibility. In spite of the work setting, correctional officers assist in enforcing rules and regulations, and they maintain order by monitoring the inmates’ activities and work assignments. They enforce discipline in the penitentiary. They also regularly hunt drugs or weapons in inmates; check for contrabands; test bars, locks, doors and windows for any indication of tampering; and scrutinize visitors and letters for banned materials. Law enforcement duties and responsibilities in the reformatory, penitentiary, jail, or correctional institution where they work are also part of the correctional officer’s job. Opportunities for career advancement in criminal justice for correctional officers are numerous. Among them are correctional treatment specialist and correctional sergeant.

A paralegal or legal assistant, under the supervision of a licensed attorney, updates and reviews files, drafts documents, interviews clients, prepares trial notebooks, does legal research, and helps the lawyer write legal briefs. A paralegal assistant also assists the attorney get ready for corporate meetings, trials, hearings, and closings. However, the law does not allow paralegals to give legal advice, set legal fees, present cases in court, or other tasks that fall in the category of law practice. The duties of a paralegal differ depending on the lawyer, law firm, agency, or organization. Career advancement for paralegals is remarkably good. A lot of paralegals enter the U.S. Department of Justice, private law firms, or acquire experience first then establish their own company. While others, on the other hand, choose to continue their studies and become police officers, attorneys, or enter other areas of criminal justice.