Law Enforcement Careers

Posts Tagged ‘Careers’

Do local law enforcement agencies prefer military experience? If so do they hire personnel serving in the reserves?

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.

Product Description
For courses in Women’s Issues in Policing. A unique and valuable resource for women who are interested in careers in law enforcement, this text addresses–in a straightforward, no-nonsense fashion–the types of issues, problems and challenges faced by women seeking to enter the often daunting and veiled world of policing. The text incorporates information from interviews with more than 100 female law enforcement officers across the United States who share their trials, tribulations and successes.

Women in Law Enforcement Careers: A Guide for Preparing and Succeeding

If there is one vocation in which there are more opportunities than there are qualified personnel, that career is the ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) therapist. Among the reasons for such broad opportunities for ABA Therapists is that there are so many different areas in which ABA therapy is applied.  Another consideration is the current economy around the globe.  Many people having financial difficulties tend to suffer bouts of depression, episodes of anger or rage, alcoholism and drug abuse, and other psychological conditions that they might not have been prone to under better economic conditions.  In addition, diagnoses of children with various forms of autism are on the rise.  A study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that an average of 1 in 110, or nearly 1%, of children has some form of autism.  All of these people, and more, can benefit from the services of ABA therapists but there just don’t seem to be enough in the field.

What is ABA Therapy?

ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Therapy is the process of helping someone to understand and ultimately control their behavior through psychological and therapeutic analysis, treatment and education.  A patient can be anybody in need of help with social or developmental skills such as autistic adults and children or those suffering from post traumatic stress, people with various forms of behavioral issues like anger management problems or oppositional defiant disorders, or those in need of social services like addiction counseling.

What kind of education is required of ABA Therapists?

ABA Therapists are not doctors, in the M.D. sense, but some employers require a doctorate degree in order to be considered for any therapist careers.  Not all employers have such stringent requirements however.  A Bachelor’s in Psychology, Social Services or Early Childhood Education is a good foundation, and often all that is required to land jobs in the field.  Many companies and private practices want to see a Master’s in Psychology, which is a requirement for one to be a Certified Behavior Analyst, though someone with an undergraduate degree can become certified as an Assistant Behavior Analyst.  This certification is beneficial for someone looking for jobs in the field of ABA Therapy while working toward their Master’s and they can always be promoted later once they have the higher credential.

What types of careers are available for ABA Therapists?

Careers in ABA Therapy span a large number of industries.  Many large firms employ ABA Therapists as a means to teach stress management skills and for in-house individual therapy for top executives.  Most major law enforcement departments offer jobs for ABA Therapists.  Veteran’s Administration hospitals and clinics often have openings for psychology and therapy careers.  Jobs are available in virtually all major cities for social workers.  Most psychiatrist and psychologist practices will have one or more ABA Therapists in their ranks.  Hospitals and smaller clinics, and even many urgent care facilities will employ ABA Therapists.  Schools too need ABA therapists to join their special needs staffs.  Bottom line is if there are people involved, there is potentially a need for ABA Therapists.

What do ABA Therapist jobs pay?

According to glassdoor.com, a website that allows users to anonymously post their own salaries, the rate of pay in mental health therapy careers ranges from $28,000 to $48,000 annually. These jobs are from small mental health clinics to large corporations.  CareerBuilder.com lists the average national salary for a mental health social worker at $44,810, and the salary of a director at a mental health agency ranging from $44,908 up to $80,417 per year.  ABA Therapists in private practice can essentially determine their own rate of pay but will have to be competitive to stay in business, and can expect to earn around $56,000 according to the national average posted at CareerBuilders.com.

Who are the best candidates for ABA Therapist careers?

When employers are searching for ABA Therapists to fill their job openings they are looking for more than the candidates’ degrees and certifications.  People seeking careers in ABA Therapy need to be compassionate and empathetic.  They should be well versed in the arts of discretion, problem solving, and time management.  They should have an optimistic disposition on life and have the ability to encourage the same mindset to others.  Proper and complete records of each and every session and communication with and about each patient must be kept, so good organization skills are a must.  Dedication to not only the job and the clients, but also to ongoing training and education, is essential.

Opportunities for careers in the field of ABA Therapy are endless for the right prospects.  Regardless of the setting, be it a billion dollar corporation, a low income clinic, or a hospital serving an entire community there are people in need of the help only ABA Therapists can provide, and jobs are available.

Perhaps you have sometimes wondered, “What does a secret service agent do?”  Or “what are secret service jobs?” These are valid questions, considering that their work is so secretive.  There are many different secret service jobs, each with its own specific education and experience requirements, and each with its own specific secret service job duties.  While there are no such things as “secret service degrees,” many agents have criminal justice–based degrees and/or military experience.  And they all have one overriding goal – to protect the most important members of the Executive Branch, their families and other important individuals related to the Office of the President.  

Secret Service Jobs Description

While there are many different secret service careers, their goal is always to protect the president, the vice president, the president-elect and vice president-elect, their immediate families, former presidents, their spouses and the children of former presidents until they reach age 16.  They also protect visiting heads of foreign states or governments, their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States, official U.S. representatives performing special missions abroad, major presidential and vice presidential candidates and spouses within 120 days of the election, and other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President.  Secret Service agents also provide protection at National Special Security Events when designated by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

So, it is clear that there could potentially be many different roles that people play in the secret service, from administrative to the front lines.   But what kind of secret service degrees or training do these people get?  All new agent trainees are initially sent to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to begin their training for this job.  This is where they enter the 10-week Criminal Investigator Training Program, which trains new federal investigators subjects like criminal law and investigative techniques while providing a foundation for agency-specific training programs.  After this, trainees must complete a 17-week Special Agent Training Course at the Secret Service training academy to learn about specific Secret Service policies and procedures.  

The secret service is a huge organization with a big responsibility.  There are many exciting secret service career options within this agency.  So if you’re the type of person who has wondered, “what does a secret service agent do?” this may be a career worth exploring!

Should I get an associates degree or bachelors?

I’m going to work in law enforcement but not sure exactly what yet.

Starting job will most likely be a Police Officer or State Trooper

I’m a young female with 4 years and still currently in the national guard working in emergency management, have a college degree and looking into careers in law enforcement. I’m interested in more behind the scenes careers at either the state or federal level. I do have federal experience and hold a current TS/SCI is that matters.

Private security work makes for a good, stable job with low overhead requirements. You can do this fresh out of high school, and many college students work their way through their higher education. But it’s not for everyone.

You should have some concept of or interest in law enforcement, some degree of a conservative personality, and not be so far gone that you’re going to think wearing a security guard uniform makes you a super-hero. If you like to work night shift (or have to because of school) and like an active job where you’re on your feet a lot, and especially if you have good people skills, you are cut out for security.

The range of private security jobs cover a variety of tastes. Some of the most common posts:

* Industrial security – the most common type. This can range from a night watchman position to manning a gate and checking IDs. If you are a rover, you drive around on patrol, respond to alarms, check access points, and monitor activity. Public contact ranges from little to none, except if you control an access point in the daytime and even then you will only deal with employees of the company and vendors coming and going.

* Retail security – a much more active position. You will almost certainly be in a position of loss prevention. Watching for and detaining shoplifters, possibly preventing vandalism or car theft, and other kinds of patrol will all be in a day’s work.

* Residential security – very low level, you’ll be working apartment complexes and gated communities. Most likely checking passes at a gate and making two rounds or so per night, maybe handing out parking tickets or standing post at the home owner’s meetings. One big part of this work is checking for and preventing residential burglaries.

* Hospitality security – This is really very different from retail security, though the two fit in the same category. A retail hospitality business will be a hotel, casino, amusement park, stadium, or other recreational facility. The most stringent degree of this kind of work, requiring qualifications very close to that of a municipal police officer. Also the most busy; you will have to deal with every scenario you can imagine, and will never have a dull day.

* Civilian security – This actually qualifies as “bodyguard” work. You are hired by a private individual, usually fairly wealthy, to protect that person and their interests specifically. Generally regarded as “cushy” work.

Security work comes in a spectrum ranging from unarmed to light arms to heavy arms. Most work is of the unarmed variety, and you might have just you and your wits to keep you safe. Other positions which allow light arms might include carrying mace, pepper spray, a baton, handcuffs, or possibly a battery-powered stun gun. The fully armed positions will be where you carry a real gun or real shotgun. Whatever the device, you will need to take classes in the safe handling of your armaments and stay certified. The various laws from state to state and the needs of that particular post will determine what you carry.

If you work an unarmed position at night, especially by yourself, it is frequently recommended that you carry a “Mag”-style flashlight. These are the durable heavy metal lights you see in the hands of law enforcement professionals everywhere, and while they aren’t officially a “weapon”, they are hefty enough to come in handy in certain situations.

“Observe and report” is the mantra of most security positions. Under the law, you do not have the same authority as a police officer and you should never forget it. Your job will mainly entail being a professional witness, and secondly to confront people engaged in suspicious activity and telling them to leave, or arresting them and turning them over to the police.

The greatest danger in this line of work is to those who are unsure of their reach of authority. When in doubt, pull back and call the police; you are not the police and you do not have the training nor the authority to be the police. In any situation, seek to de-escalate rather than escalate. Do not turn a conversation into a dispute; do not turn a dispute into a fight. Never take on more than you can handle.

Do by all means behave as a good citizen. The “bad guys” aren’t all you have to worry about; you might also be called on to perform assistance to visitors to the business or to employees of that business. It is important that you maintain a conservative appearance and demeanor; take your job seriously and have a highly professional appearance and you will have an easier time of it. Run around with a pierced nose, a ponytail dyed punker green, and pay more attention to your cell phone or headphones that to your job and you will have no respect and possibly no job.

Training can be anything from a short course supplied by the company to career-school training to occupational programs for training in weapons to police-supplied courses. No matter how small, if you carry any kind of armaments, you will need training in their safe handling and application. The low requirements for entry and the relatively low stress of the job make this an excellent temporary career, and even not that bad of a permanent career.

Although asbestos is a hazardous compound, it still generates a lot of jobs. Actually, this is what makes asbestos controversial. The mere fact that it is purely dangerous to human health is enough for the government to totally ban its use yet many make a living out of the whole asbestos industry. What will happen to these people once the government totally bans the usage of asbestos?

There are lots of workers in the construction business, for instance. As we all know, asbestos is one of the most important materials in the construction industry. Heck, majority of the leading types of flooring tiles, sidings, roofing tars, felts and shingles contain large amounts of asbestos in them.

And since, asbestos is widely used in building constructions, there’s also a need for professional asbestos removers for buildings to be demolished. Asbestos removal employees ensure that no person will be harmed when they remove certain asbestos materials. Being an asbestos abatement worker isn’t as easy as you may think it is. Actually those with asbestos abatement jobs, follow strict law-enforced  procedures.

Asbestos analysts are the other people who make careers out of asbestos. Since the government can’t totally ban the compound, there’s a need for people to monitor and thus, make sure that construction companies and asbestos manufacturers follow the right “asbestos standards”. The other functions of asbestos analysts are to serve those who want to find out whether the certain parts of their house that they want to be removed contain asbestos as well as introduce other asbestos employees to occupational hygiene practice regarding asbestos.

For more information and tips On Asbestos Careers visit, http://asbestos-jobs.info

Little background: College grad, no criminal record, good shape, and interested in changing careers from the corporate world (8ys) to something very different. Why? After all these yrs of being miserable in the corporate world I want to do something that I will truely enjoy instead of something to just make money. I have always been interested in LE. Anyone give some advice that may have been in my same position that has changed careers to LE? If so, what turned out to be the positives and negatives? I live in a decent size metropolitan area