Law Enforcement Careers

Types of Law Enforcement Jobs

Law enforcement jobs can be categorized into three different groups, uniformed enforcement, investigative, and professional services. Uniformed enforcement would include local police officers and deputy sheriffs, state troopers, and Federal Protective Service officers and U.S. Capitol Police. Investigative jobs include detectives, special agents and criminal investigators. Professional services jobs include crime lab personnel, intelligence analysts, and investigative assistants.

More about Law Enforcement Jobs

 

Preparing for a Law Enforcement Career

Three main areas in preparing for a law enforcement career are education, work experience, and personal characteristics. Become familiar with the different types of law enforcements jobs and what each requirement is. Programs which may be of benefit to you in personal learning and gaining experience are:

Explorer Programs

Reserve/Auxiliary Programs

Criminal Justice Schools

There are various degree programs including criminal justice, police science, and law enforcement. There are also 2 year associates degrees and 4 year bachelor degrees. It is helpful to learn what the education requirements are for the types of jobs you are interested in, along with what majors are either required or suggested. The following is a list is criminal justice degree programs including online programs

Criminal Justice Programs

Recruiting Events and

Law Enforcement Job Fairs

Find what is taking place in your area.

Recruiting Events

 

Are you a Criminal Justice Student

or Police Explorer Member?

Join our Criminal Justice Students' Round Table and

get the opportunity to ask questions of local, state, and

 federal law enforcement officers.

Find Out More


 

Finding a Law Enforcement Job

Planning your job search will help you focus your efforts on the jobs you really want.  Steps to take include:

Determine what type of job you want.

Decide if you have any geographic limitations on where you are willing to work.

Learn which agencies have your desired positions, and within your geographic area.

Talk with agency personnel.

Look at agency websites for hiring information.

Job websites.

Recruiting Events.

Periodically review job and agency websites for openings.

More about Planning Your Job Search

 

 

Law Enforcement Agencies

Learning about the variety of law enforcement agencies will help in preparing you for your law enforcement career. For a list of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, click on the following:

 Law Enforcement Agencies

Law Enforcement   Job Openings

There are numerous law enforcement job positing websites. For a list of websites, including tips on how to use them, click on the following:

Job Openings

Law Enforcement Associations

Associations can be a great source for establishing contacts, learning about different types of jobs, and knowing of job openings. For a list of law enforcement associations click on the following:

Associations