Law Enforcement
By: Joe Pasihuan
Career Description
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Career Research
Law enforcement agents protect life and property, and uphold the law within a jurisdiction. Many of the job requirements are not based on education, but on one's physical and mental characteristics. To become a law enforcement agent, individuals need to complete agency training programs, such as police academy.
Daily tasks and responsibilities-
- Patrols a specified district or beat on foot, motorcycle, patrol vehicle (marked or unmarked).
- Gives information to pedestrians and motorists; Checks for any law violations; Writes citations; directs traffic and escorts convoys.
- Responds to radio calls and investigates complaints, disturbances, collisions, administers first aid in emergencies
- Watches for suspicious cars, curfew violators and wanted persons; make arrests for violations of laws and ordinances.
- Serves warrants and subpoenas; transports prisoners and assists in booking and jailing prisoners; appears in court
- Investigates conditions hazardous to life or property; conducts initial investigations of crime and crime scenes; may assist detectives in criminal investigation work. Collect and preserve evidence.
- Writes reports, reads bulletins, reports, orders and implements indicated changes as appropriate. Testify in Court as required.
Education/training needed-
High school diploma or equivalent at minimum; some agencies require postsecondary education.
- Speaking-Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Listening- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Writing-Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs.
Job outlook-
http://www.theblueline.com/
Salary- IL- Year 2013-
58,720 (police and sheriff's patrol officers)
Work environment-
Works to ensure compliance with environmental requirements. When warranted, Police will take civil or criminal enforcement action against violators of environmental laws.
High School Preparation
Taking four years of English, Science, A gym class where you run and do weights every day, and any classes that can help you understand the law, your rights,etc.
Work/Volunteer Experience-
- Cashier at Little Caesar. It helped me talk to people, and if they needed help on something or have problems I would solve it.
- Cook at Mcdonald's. It helped me on my communication skills and leadership skills, where I need to know if they need something and begin the leader to make all the food, when it's really busy. Also multi-tasking.
- ROTC as Chief Petty Officer. It helped me by my leadership, and communication skill. Taught me how to help people and to be a leader.
References-
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Your manager (If you have a job)
- Neighbors
- Friends
- People that have any type of professional careers
Post-secondary Plan
Triton for two years to get my associate degree or four years in Western Illinois to get my bachelor degree. For a higher level in my career.
Training/Certificate Programs-
Need to pass the Police Academy in certain amount of score.