Career Opportunities in Law Enforcement
26 December 2011
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The positions available inside of the law enforcement field vary greatly from state to state. More opportunities for specialized positions generally exist in areas of large populations or high crime rates. Once an officer has completed their educational requirements and police academy training they have several options. Each of these positions requires differing levels of time on the job, formal education, or promotion to obtain. It is best that you inquire with your local police department to find out the exact path you must take to obtain the type of law enforcement position you desire. Below is a list of some of the opportunities available to police officers. Urban police officers work in large cities and their suburbs. These officers are generally assigned to a specific area inside their territory and have general law enforcement duties including: responding to emergency calls, patrolling specific neighborhoods, and monitoring traffic laws inside their assigned area. Urban police officers must often work with specialists from other governmental agencies.
Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs are elected officials at the county level. Most often those running for election of sheriff or deputy sheriff have worked in their particular jurisdiction for quite some time and are actively involved in the community on a personal as well as professional level. As with any elected government official, to obtain this rank you must have some working knowledge of politics and campaign to secure the votes that will elect you into this role. Detectives investigate and collect facts and evidence for criminal cases. They conduct witness interviews, examine records from other officers, observe the activities of suspects, and participate in raids and arrests. State police or highway patrol officers have the ability to arrest criminals statewide versus one particular county or jurisdiction. They often patrol interstates to ensure motor vehicle laws and regulations are maintained. These officers are often the first to respond to vehicle accident scenes and may have to direct traffic or perform first aid until medical help arrives.
Special Weapons And Tactics, or SWAT, team members can be likened to the Navy Seals or Army Rangers in the fact that they are highly trained and well respected members of their police team. This elite team of police officers is specially trained to handle the most serious, and dangerous, of situations. The best of the best are chosen for these programs from the available pool of officers already employed in the given area. With this in mind, if your goal is to become a SWAT team member you will have to gain entry-level employment and work your way into the position by means of exceptional performance on the job. K9 officers are specially trained to work with a canine partner. These officers are especially important in situations involving missing persons, drug investigations and when tracking and detaining criminals. Aside from the canine’s ability to find specific scents, they are also used to help catch and hold criminals until human backup can intervene. K9 Officers receive special training with the dog they will be working with so they can properly handle and direct the animal to assist them. Vice cops and Drug Task force officers are responsible for investigating and making arrests generally involving complex drug manufacturing, dealing and illegal alcohol sales. These positions are usually earned through exemplary service as a police officer.
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