A New Year – A New Criminal Justice Career

It’s a New Year. A time to make certain that those resolutions are accomplished, and if you are into or in Law Enforcement, a NEW Criminal Justice Career is just a few steps away. Go on, you know you need the exercise.

If you’ve been reading this blog you know that it’s not about exercising or watching your carbs. It’s the blog on Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement schooling, training, and moving forward so you can start or thrive in a Criminal Justice career of choice.

Step 1 – Get Real

You’ve been eying your local, county, and state PD for applications or navigating around the U.S. DOJ websites for those federal positions you have interest in. That’s great, but you know that if you want to pursue your personal dreams and aspirations you will need much more than the will to do so.

You have the college credits required. You know that you will have the ability to apply for the test, take the physical, and even make it through the interview process. Ten years ago, even five years ago, that would have been the case. Now, it takes more than the 60 college credits to get you on the payroll, and if you don’t think so, you might have been day dreaming for far too long. Don’t worry, I have the cure…

Step 2 – Get The Credentials

Depending on the size and nature of the job you want to apply to you must consider where you stand when it comes to you competition. Are you barely making the college credit limit or are humbly boasting a PhD in a law enforcement related field? Which is it? Are you somewhere in the middle?

Don’t confuse you good luck with stupidity. It is much more evident that criminal justice agencies from courts to prisons to “the streets” are after the educated individual. It’s in the best interest of everyone, really. Majority of law suits against government agencies that police American towns and urban jungles often involve uneducated law enforcement personnel.

In reality the municipal, regional, and federal agencies would rather pay you more for your troubles than face millions of dollars in litigation and community outrage.

Step 3 – Don’t Get Offended… and Don’t Hold Your Breath

Many debates can be initiated about the educational level and the job performance of an officer, deputy, trooper, or a federal agent. But the truth is that education makes the individual more well-rounded, cultured, and open-minded (in theory). It’s just a natural reaction to external stimuli.

I wholeheartedly agree that this is not true in all the cases, but we all know that. Read these two essays I wrote in grad school to get a better glimpse: American Justice System & L.A. Confidential Behavioral Analysis.

Step 4 – Get to Know Your New Law Enforcement Position – Before You Apply

When looking over local police department requirements I found out that many, what I consider small, municipalities are offering a pay increase incentive for those who have different levels of education. This is prevalent in many small and large police departments and other policing agencies in the country.

Here’s a look at a pay scale in Madison, Wisconsin:

• Starting salary at the time of hire (before the academy) is about $42,000
• Salary after 6 months (right after completion of the police academy) is about $47,000
• Educational incentive after a number of years
  • high school diploma = 0% increase =$0 salary increase
  • 60 college credits = 9% increase = about $5,000 increase
  • bachelor’s degree = 18% increase = about $10,000 increase
  • graduate degree (master’s or doctorate) = 22% increase = about $14,000 increase
  • the department, like many in the country, offers financial assistance to your educational pursuits. I would take advantage of them if I were you.

The salaries and increases in salary may vary from department to department. For example, in Chicago you can expect to get paid about $8,000 more (around $50,000) right off the bat and significantly more after you complete the academy. Also, while I was browsing the Net I found out that Los Angeles has one of the best salaries and incentives for their police officers. This, of course, comes with no surprise… It’s L.A. after all.

Step  5 – Prepare

If you are serious about your career plans then you should prepare for tests and future situations as much as possible. Trust me, the initial preparation for your physical and your police exam is going to be nothing in comparison to the inter-office politics. This is an inescapable phenomenon that can often be remedied with a spice of proper training and education.

If you are presently in a law enforcement branch and are lacking in your college credentials you know what I’m talking about. The remedy… work and go to school. It’s doable and very rewarding in the form of pay, opportunities for advancement, and that great personal achievement feeling.

You can take criminal justice courses in Law Enforcement, Forensics, Homeland Security, Corrections, Law and others all in the comfort of your home, or a nice quiet corner cafe. Wherever it may be, online schools that offer criminal justice programs are life savers and are highly regarded by employers and academia.

Last Step – Keep Your Eyes Glued to The Criminal Justice Online Blog

Not much needs to be said here, but feel free to ask a question if there’s something you need help with. No question is too big or too small. So shoot!

Don’t worry, if you think that the overall Law Enforcement JOB Security may be grim, you’re very wrong. Happy New Year and good luck on your journey.

You might also like:

• Criminal Justice Degree Not Always A Requirement
• How Do You Become a Detective? Become an Investigator
• Criminal Justice Careers: Federal Agent
• Is a Criminal Justice Degree Worth It or Worthless?
• Law Enforcement Careers – Jobs for Physically Disabled
• What Can I Do With an Online Criminal Justice Degree?
• Can I have a law enforcement career if I have tattoos?