4 Law Enforcement Careers

Law enforcement professionals are vital contributors to public safety, protecting the communities they serve and upholding the rule of law. Their diligence is a big part of the reason that crime rates are down across the country. According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), rates of both violent crime and property crime in the U.S. have declined significantly over the last few decades.

In addition to serving the community and ensuring public safety, a career in law enforcement affords the opportunity to pursue a wide range of occupations. Police officers, detectives, probation officers, and legal assistants all serve important roles in the U.S. justice system.

Earning a criminal justice degree can prepare individuals for various law enforcement careers. Choosing a career path that best aligns with their interests and values is one of the most important decisions aspiring law enforcement professionals can make.

Why Work in Law Enforcement?

Pursuing a career in law enforcement can have many advantages. Besides the competitive pay and job security that many law enforcement professions offer, those who choose this career path can serve the public in myriad ways.

Ability to Serve the Community

Law enforcement professionals have a range of responsibilities, which vary depending on their line of work. Regardless of their job descriptions, all law enforcement personnel serve the public. They may investigate crimes and arrest suspects, support attorneys in the courtroom, or supervise formerly incarcerated individuals and help them reintegrate into society.

Through their efforts, law enforcement professionals help prevent crime and serve justice to those who commit criminal acts, thereby preserving public safety and maintaining law and order.

Competitive Compensation

Because of their vital public safety role, law enforcement personnel are typically well paid. Many of the law enforcement occupations tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) earned well above the national median for all occupations in 2023 ($48,060).

Additionally, many law enforcement professionals receive notable benefits, including generous retirement plans, and are often eligible for substantial pay increases as they accumulate years of service.

Job Security

Law and order is an essential pillar of a healthy, functioning society, so it stands to reason that there will always be demand for law enforcement professionals. Most of the law enforcement occupations tracked by the BLS, for example, will see steady to strong employment growth over the next decade.

Many of these roles also offer pathways to advancement. For example, police officers can become sergeants, and paralegals can become attorneys, with the right combination of experience and, in some cases, further education.

Diverse Employment Opportunities

A career in law enforcement also offers variety. Those seeking to work in this field can become police officers walking a beat, parole officers helping formerly incarcerated individuals reenter society, or legal assistants helping lawyers prepare for a trial, among numerous other roles. A well-rounded education in criminal justice can help set individuals on the path to many of these careers.

4 Careers in Law Enforcement

Given the diversity of jobs in law enforcement, deciding on a career path is a critical early step for those seeking a career in this field. Exploring the various law enforcement roles and how they contribute to the justice system can help aspiring law enforcement professionals choose the career that is right for them.

1. Patrol Officer

Patrol officers work in police and sheriff’s departments and have diverse responsibilities. They patrol designated areas, respond to emergency and nonemergency calls, secure crime scenes, interview witnesses, and arrest suspects. Another crucial aspect of the job is forging relationships with community members to establish public trust and aid in crime prevention.

Some officers work on specific types of crime or in special units within a department, such as narcotics or SWAT; this can affect their day-to-day duties.

• Pay: According to the BLS, patrol officers had a median annual wage of $72,280 in 2023.

• Job Outlook: Employment of patrol officers is projected to grow by 3% between 2022 and 2032, adding approximately 22,500 new jobs.

2. Detective/Criminal Investigator

Detectives and criminal investigators collect evidence and gather information related to criminal cases, often involving serious crimes, such as homicides, robberies, and assaults. They investigate crime scenes, conduct interviews with witnesses and suspects, comb through records on restricted-access databases, participate in raids and arrests, and testify in court.

Criminal investigators often specialize in investigating certain types of crime, such as fraud or homicide. They may work for local police and sheriff’s departments; state agencies; or federal agencies, such as the FBI.

• Pay: Detectives and criminal investigators earned a median annual wage of $91,100 in 2023, according to the BLS.

• Job Outlook: Employment of detectives and criminal investigators is projected to grow by 1% between 2022 and 2032, adding approximately 1,700 new jobs.

3. Probation/Parole Officer

While some law enforcement careers focus on preventing crime and bringing criminals to justice, others entail working with offenders to help them resolve their issues and become more productive members of society.

Probation officers, for example, supervise individuals who’ve been placed on probation rather than sent to prison, supporting their rehabilitation and ensuring that they do not pose a threat to the community.

Parole officers help people who’ve been released from prison reenter society. Both probation and parole officers evaluate their clients to develop a course of rehabilitation; monitor their clients’ progress; and refer their clients to resources that can assist them, such as job training or substance abuse counseling.

• Pay: Probation and parole officers earned a median annual wage of $61,800 in 2023, the BLS reports.

• Job Outlook: Employment of probation and parole officers is expected to grow by 3% between 2022 and 2032, adding approximately 2,400 new jobs.

4. Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Paralegals and legal assistants support attorneys in various ways. They may help with fact-finding on a case; obtain statements to be used as evidence in court; research relevant laws and regulations; and schedule interviews and depositions with clients, witnesses, lawyers, and others.

Their job descriptions may vary, depending on their legal specialty and firm size.

• Pay: Paralegals and legal assistants earned a median annual wage of $60,970 in 2023, according to the BLS. Salary averages can vary widely depending on where they work and in what industry. Paralegals and legal assistants in finance and insurance, for example, earned $77,630, while those in legal services earned $59,660.

• Job Outlook: Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is expected to grow by 4% between 2022 and 2032, adding approximately 15,000 new jobs.

Serve Your Community With a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

Law enforcement professionals protect our communities and ensure that justice is served. Although crime rates may be in decline, there’s no shortage of demand for these essential workers, whose efforts are vital to preserving public safety.

If you’re interested in a career in law enforcement, consider the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Criminal Justice at Wilson College Online. The program’s ethics-minded curriculum and focus on diversity and inclusivity can empower you to make a positive social impact in various fields, whether you want to work in law enforcement, criminology, or corrections. With our flexible coursework, you can earn your degree at your own pace.

Discover how Wilson College Online can prepare you for a meaningful career serving the public good.

Recommended Readings

What Does a Legal Assistant Do?

Juvenile Justice: Rehabilitation vs. Disciplinary Action

What Careers Can You Get With a Criminal Justice Degree?

Sources:

Bureau of Justice Statistics, “The Nation’s Two Crime Measures, 2011-2020”

FBI, Crime Data Explorer

Indeed, 11 Reasons to Become a Police Officer (Plus Duties)

National Policing Institute, “The Need for Relationship-Based Policing”

Pew Research Center, “What the Data Says About Crime in the U.S.”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Paralegals and Legal Assistants

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Detectives

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists