Nick Balistreri All societies need law enforcement, as these civil servants help keep peace and maintain the law. Considering this point, law enforcement is a fantastic area when looking for a career since you’ll never be short of job opportunities. Plus, the pay isn’t bad either!
What options are available to you when working in law enforcement though? Well, you’d be surprised at the choices available to you!
Read on for some of the most common law enforcement jobs you can get.
Police
When people think “law enforcement”, then “police” usually comes to mind. Your main duty here is to protect both lives and property.
Your life may be at risk at times, seeing as you’ll have to deal with dangerous criminals. You’ll need to wear protective gear, such as cut resistant clothing.
To become a police officer, you’ll need either a high school diploma or a college degree, and you must be a US citizen who’s at least 21 years old. You’ll also need to graduate from a training academy and complete on-the-job training.
Detectives and Investigators
Detectives and investigators are law enforcement officers that gather evidence and investigate crimes. While you can work with the local police station, you can also go federal and work for the FBI or DEA.
To become a detective or investigator, you’ll have to be an officer first. Through years of experience and proof of skill, you can then be promoted to either position.
As of 2020, there are almost 800,000 police and detective jobs.
Immigration Officer
Immigration officers are those who enforce immigration laws; this is actually a different job from border patrol agents. Instead of checking that laws are observed at the border, immigration officers check papers at ports of entry (such as airports). If they find anyone who’s in violation of the law, they can arrest, detain, and deport these people.
You must be a US citizen who’s at least 18 years old to become an immigration officer. It’ll help to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as homeland security, criminal justice, or international law.
Forensic Pathologist
These law enforcement employees are responsible for performing autopsies to determine the cause of death. They’re key in gathering evidence for things like homicide cases.
It’s recommended that you first earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic science before applying. You’ll also need to then get a medical degree in osteopathy (field in muscles and joints), and then another 4 years of pathological forensic training.
Look Into Law Enforcement Jobs
Law enforcement jobs can be just what you need if you’ve been having a tough time finding a job. Whether it’s becoming a police officer, detective, investigator, immigration officer, or forensic pathologist, there are plenty of law enforcement careers waiting for you.
While some require you to get a university degree first, it’ll be worth it when you can land a well-paying job that you’re passionate about!
If you need more help with choosing a career path, then keep browsing our blog page now.
