Criminal Justice Careers
Interested in pursuing a criminal justice career? You’ll be glad to know there are various and plentiful criminal justice careers available for those obtaining the proper training and credentials. If you’re considering a career in criminal justice then it’s a good idea to find out exactly what type of work you can pursue once you’ve spent the time and money obtaining the education and experience you need. Many degrees and skills don’t allow one to pursue a variety of careers; however this is not the case when it comes to criminal justice training and criminal justice careers. In this article we’ll take a look at the various job opportunities available to those interested in pursuing criminal justice careers!
Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Careers
Police Officer
Protect people and property, enforce laws. The work can be stressful and physically demanding. Has one of the highest on the job injury and fatality rates.
Canine Officer
Similar to a police officer position but works with a canine officer (dog).
Mounted Police Officer
A great option for those looking to get into police officer work, but who love animals and like spending time outdoors as well.
Highway Patrol
Also known as state troopers, these officers patrol the highways enforcing traffic laws and helping to apprehend criminals. Ranked as one of the highest risk jobs in this category of work.
Plain clothed police officers who are responsible for gathering evidence, collecting facts and helping to solve crimes. They conduct interviews with witnesses, victims and others involved or who have witnessed crimes. They typically work cases until the cases are solved or closed.
Sheriff & Deputy Sheriff
These officers enforce laws at the county level. They perform almost all the same work as a police officer but generally work for smaller departments.
Animal Cruelty Investigator
Investigate crimes against animals. These investigators perform a lot of the same tasks as detectives but pertaining to animal crimes.
Fish and Game Wardens
Enforce hunting, fishing and boating laws. They patrol and respond to complaints, conduct interviews and investigations.
Responsible for protecting and enforcing laws within state and federal parks.
Federal Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Careers
FBI
The main investigators for the federal government of the United States. These individuals are responsible for handling national security which often pertains to sensitive material and information.
CIA
Monitor and collect information pertaining to threats to the Unites States from outside the United States. These agents may work in the field, or may even work in an office environment as analysts. They monitor “situations” through various methods ranging from low-tech to high-tech.
DEA
Enforce federal drug laws
Secret Service
An elite branch of the United States federal government; responsible for protecting prominent figures of the government including the president and vice president.
Federal Air Marshall
Protect and provide security targeted at United States air flights and passengers.
Border Patrol
Protect the boundaries of the Unites States which include land and water boundries.
Immigration Officer
Provide security by searching and questioning those visiting or immigrating to the United States through air terminals, and water ports.
ATF
Investigate and monitor matters related to arson, tobacco and firearms.
TSO (Transportation Security Officer)
Work for the TSA and provide security at airports, railroads, maritime and on our roads
Monitor, supervise and mentor those released from federal prison who are placed on probation.
Correctional Criminal Justice Careers
Monitor, and mentor those places on parole after serving a prison sentence.
Monitor, mentor and supervise those placed on probation in place of being sentenced to prison.
Monitor, supervise and mentor youths placed on probation instead of being sentenced to prison.
Forensic and CSI Criminal Justice Careers
CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)
Responsible for investigating the evidence left behind at crime scenes. In addition they are responsible for preparing detailed reports regarding this evidence.
Finger Print Examiner
Use a variety of techniques to obtain finger, foot and palm prints from crime scenes and evidence to help investigators to solve crimes. Use collected prints to compare against database prints using highly specialized computer software.
Forensic Accountant
Responsible for reviewing and combing through financial documents and records to help solve white collared crimes.
Forensic Artist
Responsible for creating sketches from witness recollections from crime scenes to help apprehend criminals.
Forensic Nurse
Use nursing knowledge to conduct investigations of victims bodies, and the criminally abused. Often need to testify in court regarding their findings.
Forensic Toxicologist
Investigate deaths due to drugs, alcohol and other substances.
Legal Criminal Justice Careers
Judge
Preside over local, state and federal court hearing and trials. They ensure due diligence is given, proceeding and laws are enforced as they are intended to be.
Defense Attorney
An attorney who is an advocate for the accused.
Private Criminal Justice Careers
Bounty Hunter
Also known as a bail enforcement officer, bail fugitive investigator, or even a fugitive recovery agent. Bounty hunters pursue and return those accused of crimes who have failed to appear in court and who have broken their terms of bail.
Loss Prevention Officer
Help to protect the assets of corporations
Security Officer
Security officers work for private security companies hired by a wide variety of organizations to help protect their property. These officers may be armed or unarmed.
Private Investigator
Private investigators typically are self employed and conduct private investigations into various matters for their clients. Other duties they perform may include background investigations, executive or celebrity protection, and pre-employment verification.
As you an see there are plenty of criminal justice careers one can pursue when deciding to go into this area of work. We hope you’ve found this article informative, detailed and helpful. Please feel free to visit some of out other criminal justice career articles.
