6 answers
Breanna
Student
Portland, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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Hi! tell me about working in criminal justice
whats is a day-to-day basis like working in criminal justice?
what's the hardest part of working in criminal justice?
what's the consistency of the hours in the criminal justice work place?
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1340
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Breanna earning a degree in criminal justice can equip you with specialized knowledge and skills, help you qualify for competitive roles within the field, expand your career opportunities and increase your earning potential. As an academic discipline, criminal justice offers diverse concentrations and specializations, allowing you to tailor your studies toward your interests and professional goals.
BAILIFFS - Bailiffs or sometimes called court security officers, are responsible for ensuring the safety of all participants present in the courtroom, including the judge and jury, maintaining order in the courtroom and removing disruptive individuals from the courtroom when necessary. Qualifications and training for bailiffs can vary depending on the jurisdiction and state. Generally, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED diploma. Some states require formal training, while others accept degrees in criminal justice or adjacent disciplines.
POLICE/SHERIFF - Police or sheriff’s patrol officers typically work for a city, county, state or federal government. These professionals closely monitor and patrol assigned, enforce laws, watch for criminal activity, respond to and assess emergencies and investigate criminal complaints. Generally, the minimum education requirement for police or Sheriff Patrol Officer's is a high school diploma or GED. Larger firms or departments typically prefer candidates with post-secondary education, such as an associate or bachelor’s in criminal justice, criminology, psychology or a closely related discipline.
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS - Correctional officers supervise the daily activities of inmates in detention or correctional facilities to maintain security, ensure safety and enforce rules. These professionals play an integral role in supporting offenders and formerly incarcerated individuals as they reintegrate into society and their communities. Correctional officers typically work for local, state and federal governments. The qualifications and educational requirements can vary widely depending on which state and level of government in which you desire to work. While many states require correctional officers to hold a high school diploma or GED diploma, it’s becoming increasingly common for these professionals to have postsecondary education. Employers typically prefer candidates with degrees in criminal justice or a closely related field like criminology.
PROBATION OFFICER - Probation officers supervise individuals who have been given probation. These professionals ensure and enforce compliance with the conditions of probation, evaluate offenders’ progress to determine the best course of treatment and provide resources that aid in rehabilitation.
The minimum education requirement to work as a probation officer is a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, social work or a closely related field. Additionally, probation officers must fulfill jurisdiction-specific requirements, be at least 21 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license and pass background and drug screening tests. Many probation officer positions include state-specific or federal government-sponsored training programs and certification tests.
Hope this was helpful Breanna
BAILIFFS - Bailiffs or sometimes called court security officers, are responsible for ensuring the safety of all participants present in the courtroom, including the judge and jury, maintaining order in the courtroom and removing disruptive individuals from the courtroom when necessary. Qualifications and training for bailiffs can vary depending on the jurisdiction and state. Generally, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED diploma. Some states require formal training, while others accept degrees in criminal justice or adjacent disciplines.
POLICE/SHERIFF - Police or sheriff’s patrol officers typically work for a city, county, state or federal government. These professionals closely monitor and patrol assigned, enforce laws, watch for criminal activity, respond to and assess emergencies and investigate criminal complaints. Generally, the minimum education requirement for police or Sheriff Patrol Officer's is a high school diploma or GED. Larger firms or departments typically prefer candidates with post-secondary education, such as an associate or bachelor’s in criminal justice, criminology, psychology or a closely related discipline.
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS - Correctional officers supervise the daily activities of inmates in detention or correctional facilities to maintain security, ensure safety and enforce rules. These professionals play an integral role in supporting offenders and formerly incarcerated individuals as they reintegrate into society and their communities. Correctional officers typically work for local, state and federal governments. The qualifications and educational requirements can vary widely depending on which state and level of government in which you desire to work. While many states require correctional officers to hold a high school diploma or GED diploma, it’s becoming increasingly common for these professionals to have postsecondary education. Employers typically prefer candidates with degrees in criminal justice or a closely related field like criminology.
PROBATION OFFICER - Probation officers supervise individuals who have been given probation. These professionals ensure and enforce compliance with the conditions of probation, evaluate offenders’ progress to determine the best course of treatment and provide resources that aid in rehabilitation.
The minimum education requirement to work as a probation officer is a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, social work or a closely related field. Additionally, probation officers must fulfill jurisdiction-specific requirements, be at least 21 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license and pass background and drug screening tests. Many probation officer positions include state-specific or federal government-sponsored training programs and certification tests.
Hope this was helpful Breanna
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1662
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Breanna,
There are many jobs that are considered "criminal justice" related. Adding to John's great descriptions, there are also probation officers, victim's advocates, pre-trial diversion program personnel, criminal analysts, evidence technicians, specialty law enforcement (school, transit, dignitary protection), attorneys (prosecutors and criminal defense), people working in social justice programs, etc.
Without knowing your particular areas of interests, I will say, in general, to answer your questions:
1. day to day- 99% boredom interrupted by 1% sheer terror. That's how cops describe it. A lot of routine stuff, until something not so routine comes along that gets your pulse elevated for a little while. Of course, if you are working in the middle of a high crime area, that will be different. Or, if you work where "nothing" ever happens, that excitement might be only once a month.
2. the hardest part? As a rookie, male or female, it is earning the respect of your fellow officers. After that, it is fighting complacency. After escorting the armored car every day for 6 months, where nothing has gone wrong, how alert are you?
3. Consistency of hours, depends on the department. There are those who still think rotating shifts are a necessity, and there are those who understand that rotating causes disruption of your physical well-being and homelife. There is a lot of overtime often available, sometimes required. Days off are irregular, some are fair about who gets the holidays off, some not so fair. A lot of times you learn to trade days off among yourselves so that you are able to attend to personal things even on your scheduled work days.
What direction are you leaning towards, as far as a specific career within criminal justice?
There are many jobs that are considered "criminal justice" related. Adding to John's great descriptions, there are also probation officers, victim's advocates, pre-trial diversion program personnel, criminal analysts, evidence technicians, specialty law enforcement (school, transit, dignitary protection), attorneys (prosecutors and criminal defense), people working in social justice programs, etc.
Without knowing your particular areas of interests, I will say, in general, to answer your questions:
1. day to day- 99% boredom interrupted by 1% sheer terror. That's how cops describe it. A lot of routine stuff, until something not so routine comes along that gets your pulse elevated for a little while. Of course, if you are working in the middle of a high crime area, that will be different. Or, if you work where "nothing" ever happens, that excitement might be only once a month.
2. the hardest part? As a rookie, male or female, it is earning the respect of your fellow officers. After that, it is fighting complacency. After escorting the armored car every day for 6 months, where nothing has gone wrong, how alert are you?
3. Consistency of hours, depends on the department. There are those who still think rotating shifts are a necessity, and there are those who understand that rotating causes disruption of your physical well-being and homelife. There is a lot of overtime often available, sometimes required. Days off are irregular, some are fair about who gets the holidays off, some not so fair. A lot of times you learn to trade days off among yourselves so that you are able to attend to personal things even on your scheduled work days.
What direction are you leaning towards, as far as a specific career within criminal justice?
Thank you for the advice.
Breanna
Shaun Kelly
Patrolman
4
Answers
Seekonk, Massachusetts
Updated
Shaun’s Answer
A day in the field of criminal Justice is never the same. One day can be quiet with little to no calls then the next day can be going from call to call. Working in the field for fifteen years I learned very early on that you miss holidays, birthdays, etc. it’s a part of the job. I recommend getting your degree because it can open doors to many different areas of law enforcement. I started out and have worked most of my career with out a degree but recently went back to school for my bachelor’s. Good luck.
James Hall
Retired
8
Answers
Prosper, Texas
Updated
James’s Answer
Criminal justice is such a wide field that you will need to decide what path you want to pursue. I have been in most phases over last 50 yrs with 15 yrs in municipal police experience, patrol , detective and some administration. I enjoyed the detective phase, homicide , auto theft and internal affairs but most the ten years in homicide. Another 10 years in county sheriffs department was different type law enforcement and politics tend to enter that era. I spent one year in Texas department of corrections as investigator but that was not my favorite place by far. All this to say , first pursue your degree in CJ as most larger departments now require that plus it gives you an overall knowledge of the field and career choices. Too much to put in this small space but start with the basic education and see where your interests lead you
Sue Errico
Sales
1
Answer
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Sue’s Answer
Hi Breanna!
All great responses but a Criminal Justice Degree can be broader!
My daughter has her BA in Criminal Justice and she's in the Banking industry as a Lead Fraud Investigator. Her case load started primarily investigating check fraud and has since moved into other, more advanced career-criminal cases. Her Degree helped her get this position very early in her career when, traditionally, being hired into Fraud requires past banking experience. She did get hired as a teller originally and spent one year working in that position, however, she moved quickly.
Good luck and keep working towards your goal! You have many options and ps she now works 100% remote!
All great responses but a Criminal Justice Degree can be broader!
My daughter has her BA in Criminal Justice and she's in the Banking industry as a Lead Fraud Investigator. Her case load started primarily investigating check fraud and has since moved into other, more advanced career-criminal cases. Her Degree helped her get this position very early in her career when, traditionally, being hired into Fraud requires past banking experience. She did get hired as a teller originally and spent one year working in that position, however, she moved quickly.
Good luck and keep working towards your goal! You have many options and ps she now works 100% remote!
James Hanzel
Corrections and Security
236
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
James’s Answer
Working in criminal justice is incredibly rewarding. It is equally as challenging. It requires sacrifice. Each job is different, but something they typically all have in common is being unpredictable. It's appealing to many because you can face something new every day. It keeps you on your toes.
I admire your willingness to consider this as a possible career path. Just remember that this path is not for everyone. There's no shame in admitting later on that it isn't for you.
I admire your willingness to consider this as a possible career path. Just remember that this path is not for everyone. There's no shame in admitting later on that it isn't for you.