How to Choose a Law Enforcement Career

How to Choose a Law Enforcement CareerHow to Choose a Law Enforcement CareerEven after you decide to go for a criminal justice career, the choices dont end. Youll still need to determine what field of criminology youd like to work in. With so much room for specialization, you need to knowhow to make the right choice if you want to go for a law enforcement job. One size does not fit all when it comes to working as a police officer, but fortunately, there are enough special areas within the industry that you can find a career that works for you in just about any specialization. When determining what type of law enforcement career to pursue, you have a lot of decisions to make to pursue the right direction. Level of Government and Jurisdiction Perhaps one of the first things youll want to determine is the level of government you want to work for. Each law enforcement level- local, state, and federal- offers plenty of opportunities in both uniformed and criminal investigative agencie s, each with its own pros and cons. Local Law Enforcement Jobs At the local level, typically all law enforcement careers will begin with a patrol. Basically, everyone at the local level must abflug out as a police officer before they are able to move into areas such as criminal investigations, SWAT, explosive ordnance disposal, or other specialty units. After youve done some time in patrol, you will be able to move up and into more specialized fields. One of the biggest benefits of working for a local agency is that you wont have to worry about moving to start your career, transfer into a new field, or move through the ranks. State Law Enforcement Careers State agencies also have uniformed patrol units usually called state troopers. Troopers are typically responsible for traffic enforcement throughout the state but can have many other duties, depending on the state or agency. In some cases, state agencies may hire investigators who have not had any prior law enforcement expe rience, which means you may be able to bypass the requirement to start out as a patrol officer. Working for a state agency can have a number of benefits over a local department, especially if you want to move up through the ranks. Due to the typically larger sizes of state versus local agencies, there are many more opportunities for advancement at the state level than there are at the local level. You will, however, need to consider the possibility that youll have to move around the state for transfers or promotions, something you would not have to do at the local level. Federal Agentand Officer Jobs Like the state level, the federal government has opportunities for individuals to move right into an investigative role without the need to have been a patrol or uniformed officer. However, the various federal investigative agencies typically require college educations and, in many cases, relevant work experience is also necessary. Also like a state law enforcement career, in the fe deral government, you will very likely be required to relocate. Field offices are operated throughout the country and the U.S. territories. You can also expect to have to move around the country to advance. Job Specializations in Law Enforcement Careers In addition to drehort and jurisdiction, youll want to determine what exactly you would like to do in law enforcement. Different agencies have different missions. Some are tasked with traffic enforcement, while others focus on the environment and conservation. Ultimately, a law enforcement career truly can offer something for everyone. While you probably wont get rich working in law enforcement, there are still plenty of financial incentives plus the chance to make a difference in the lives of everyday people.