Become a Police Officer, Criminal Investigator, or Forensic Technologist

Getting a degree in criminal justice is a good way to get into any number of jobs offered in law enforcement. Departments are increasingly encouraging potential employees to take college courses; some even require a college degree.

Having a Criminal Justice Degree will provide of all occupations to choose from. Here is a quick list of some the career paths you may take:

Private detectives and investigators have many methods to choose from when determining the facts in a case. Much of their work is done using a computer, recovering deleted e-mails and documents, for example. They may also perform computer database searches or work with someone who does.

Computer forensic investigators specialize in recovering, analyzing, and presenting data from computers for use in investigations or as evidence. They determine the details of intrusions into computer systems, recover data from encrypted or erased files, and recover e-mails and deleted passwords.

Legal investigators assist in preparing criminal defenses, locating witnesses, serving legal documents, interviewing police and prospective witnesses, and gathering and reviewing evidence. Legal investigators also may collect information on the parties to the litigation, take photographs, testify in court, and assemble evidence and reports for trials. They often work for law firms or lawyers.

Corporate investigators conduct internal and external investigations for corporations. In internal investigations, they may investigate drug use in the workplace, ensure that expense accounts are not abused, or determine whether employees are stealing merchandise or information. External investigations attempt to thwart criminal schemes from outside the corporation, such as fraudulent billing by a supplier.

Probation officers work with people who are sentenced to probation instead of prison. They supervise offenders through contact with the offenders and their families.

Correctional treatment specialists work in jails, prisons and probation agencies. Their main focus is evaluating inmates and making release plans.

Police Officers have general law enforcement duties, including maintaining regular patrols and responding to calls for service. Police Officers may direct traffic at the scene of an accident, investigate a burglary, or give first aid to an accident victim. In large police departments, officers usually are assigned to a specific type of duty. Many urban police agencies are involved in community policing—a practice in which an officer builds relationships with the citizens of local neighborhoods and mobilizes the public to help fight crime.

Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs enforce the law on the county level. Sheriffs are usually elected to their posts and perform duties similar to those of a local or county police chief. Sheriffs’ departments tend to be relatively small, most having fewer than 50 sworn officers. Deputy sheriffs have law enforcement duties similar to those of officers in urban police departments. Police and sheriffs’ deputies who provide security in city and county courts are sometimes called bailiffs

Forensic technologists help criminal investigators by gathering, classifying and analyzing physical evidence found at crime scenes. They generally specialize in DNA and firearm evidence. Main tasks for forensic science technologists include running DNA tests on tissues, fibers, hair, skin, blood and other body fluids. They also perform ballistic and other weapon analysis. Other responsibilities involve writing up reports and giving expert opinions to the investigators based on the evidence they find.