Criminal Justice: Careers

By using proven principles and procedures to ensure that all physical evidence at a crime scene is discovered and analyzed, crime scene investigators help to clarify exactly what happened there. The information they gather can link possible suspects to the scene or eliminate them from suspicion.

Forensic scientists, also referred to as crime laboratory analysts, crime scene investigators, or evidence technicians, most often investigate crime scenes and collect and analyze physical evidence for the legal system.

The two kinds of primary state law-enforcement agencies, highway patrols and state police, represent a departure from the American tradition of local control of police.

The term military police refers to a division of any branch of the military that provides law enforcement services. Members of a military police unit are trained as members of the branch of the military in which they serve and undergo special law enforcement instruction.

Establishment of the office of chief of police is crucial to enabling the successful operation and underpinnings of a police department.

Trained detectives increase the effectiveness of police efforts to solve crimes. As specialists in the art and science of criminal investigation, they help to ensure professional and thorough responses to serious crimes.

Private detectives, also known as private investigators, investigate people or data for individuals, families, lawyers, department stores, corporations, financial institutions, and many other businesses and organizations.

As chief county law-enforcement administrators, sheriffs are responsible for maintaining public order within their jurisdictions.

Law-enforcement organizations that operate directly under the authority of state governments, rather than under municipalities.

The Texas Rangers Division , a law enforcement unit in Texas , is the oldest law enforcement agency in North America. While the modern form of the Texas Rangers dates to late 1935, lawmen known as the Texas Rangers have existed for around 200 years.

Presiding officers of special courts, medical officers, or officers of the law responsible for investigating deaths, particularly those that have taken place under unusual circumstances.

Correctional officers monitor incarcerated individuals in federal and state penitentiaries, courthouses, and other detention facilities. They ensure that prisoners are secure in their cells during stated hours, adhere to the prison’s rules, and do not engage in acts of violence. Correctional officers search cells for drugs and contraband, inspect facilities for health, fire, and safety violations, and ensure that prison security systems function properly.

Criminologists are sociologists who specialize in the study of crime, deviant behavior, and the criminal justice system. They usually specialize in certain types of crime, such as juvenile or white-collar crime; a certain type of offense, such as serial murder or hate crimes; or a certain aspect of the criminal justice system, such as rehabilitation or police brutality.

ATF Agents, CIA Agents, Customs Agents, Diplomatic Security Agents, DEA agents, FBI Agents, Secret Service Agents, Uniformed Secret Service Officers, & US Marshals

Fish and game wardens are responsible for the protection of wildlife and their habitats in parks, animal refuges, wildlife sanctuaries, and other protected public lands. They typically patrol these areas, enforcing state and federal laws regarding hunting, fishing, and other activities. This includes the enforcement of hunting and fishing quotas, boating laws and regulations, and otherwise working to ensure that protected wildlife and ecosystems remain safe.

The Homeland Security Department encourages active communication and collaboration among its numerous agencies and organizations to meet the department’s primary goal of improving the security of the United States against possible terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Lawyers (also called attorneys) work within the legal system. They represent the rights and interests of individuals, corporations, and other entities under federal, state, and even international law. Lawyers work in a wide array of areas, such as regulatory compliance, criminal law, lobbying, business and industries, probate, and human rights. Attorneys work in law offices, business offices, government agencies, and courtrooms. Some attorneys are self-employed, either working in their own practices or as partners in a law firm.

Probation and parole officers personally monitor criminal offenders’ compliance with court orders and conditions of parole. Probation and parole officers work within federal and state justice systems. They are responsible for working with those convicted of criminal acts who are allowed to remain in society ( probation ) or are being released back into society under certain conditions (parole). The function of probation and parole officers is to monitor and assist those convicted of crimes as they work to become productive members of society.

Police officers enforce federal, state, and local laws. They investigate criminal activity; arrest suspects; interview witnesses; redirect traffic flow around accidents, construction, and crime scenes; and intervene in public disturbances. Police patrol and monitor the streets and other designated areas. They are trained to use both nonlethal and lethal force in subduing criminals and have a variety of other police powers granted by law.

Prison guards, more commonly known today as correctional officers, are primarily concerned with keeping prison inmates in custody and maintaining control of the facilities. These are the two most important prison guard functions. Guards are also responsible for ensuring the safety of all staff and inmates in the prison.

Private security personnel make a valuable contributions to the criminal justice mission of safeguarding lives and property by supplementing the work of government law enforcement; however, their contributions are limited by restrictions on their enforcement powers and by the lack of training that many of them receive.

Since its 1924 creation, the US Border Patrol has served as the primary federal law-enforcement agency responsible for the prevention and detection of illegal immigration as well as drugs and contraband entering the United States along both the Mexican and Canadian borders. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the newly formed Department of Homeland Security merged a number of federal law-enforcement agencies with the Border Patrol to create a new combined agency called US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The United States Secret Service was created in 1865 to protect against and investigate counterfeit currency operations, fraud by government officials, and anti-government terrorism. The agency provides protection for government officials and security for the White House, Treasury, federal buildings and facilities, and foreign embassies.

The nation’s oldest maritime military service, the US Coast Guard is responsible for protecting coastal boundaries and infrastructure and intercepting illegal drugs, goods, and aliens that are attempting to enter the United States.