You probably have many questions if you’re considering a career change to law enforcement. You may wonder what kind of background would make you eligible or what skills are needed to succeed in this field. You might even wonder if your specific personality type is a good fit for this type of work.
This guide will cover all of those topics and more! We’ll start by defining what law enforcement is as a career path.
What is law enforcement?
Law enforcement is the activity of preventing crime, enforcing criminal law, and protecting the public. Law enforcement officers are also known as police officers, police constables, peace officers and agents of the state.
Law enforcement agencies rely heavily on the resources and support available to them through various partnerships with other agencies within the community. These partnerships help law enforcement agencies access valuable information that may help solve or prevent future crimes.
Types of law enforcement careers
There are several types of law enforcement careers.
Police officer
A police officer is an individual who enforces the law by arresting criminals, conducting criminal investigations, and enforcing traffic rules and laws. Police officers may also be called on to perform other duties, such as attending the scene of an accident, investigating crimes or accidents, writing reports about their findings when they investigate, and testifying in court on behalf of the state. In some places, police officers are also required to work during weekends on special details such as directing traffic at sporting events.
Sheriff/police chief
A sheriff is responsible for carrying out all aspects involved in maintaining order within their jurisdiction (county). This includes:
- Providing security at county courthouses
- Enforcing traffic laws
- Assisting with search warrants when requested by the courts
- Coordinating investigations between different departments within their jurisdiction
- Managing prisoner transportation responsibilities, including extradition
The sheriff can appoint deputies who assist them in carrying out these tasks.
Federal law enforcement
Federal law enforcement agencies are those that are part of the US government. They enforce federal laws and regulations that apply to their jurisdiction. Examples of federal law enforcement agencies include the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and IRS (Internal Revenue Service).
Federal law enforcement jobs require a bachelor’s degree in criminology or a related field such as criminal justice, sociology or psychology. You’ll also need at least three years of experience working in law enforcement or criminal investigation at a local level before you can apply for any positions with these agencies.
State and local law enforcement
State and local law enforcement agencies are responsible for enforcing state and local laws. They are responsible for investigating crimes that occur within their jurisdictions. State and local law enforcement agencies may be referred to as police departments, sheriff departments, state highway patrol, or other agencies that enforce laws within their jurisdictions. Depending on where you live, these organizations differ significantly in size and work types.
Common characteristics of law enforcement professionals
Law enforcement professionals are typically honest and have integrity and patience. They are also good listeners and are problem solvers. They can communicate effectively with others, including those from different cultures or language backgrounds.
Law enforcement professionals also work well in teams, which is an essential skill for any job that requires teamwork. Finally, law enforcement professionals make good leaders because they know how to give orders in a way that gets results without alienating their team members.
Skills needed for specialized law enforcement roles
In addition to the core skills that you will need for any law enforcement role, additional skills are required for specialized roles. These include:
- Leadership skills
- Teamwork skills
- Emotional regulation and conflict management skills
- Time management and planning skills
- Decision-making and problem-solving abilities
Management skills in law enforcement
Your ability to manage a team will be vital in a management role. You’ll need to be able to coordinate your officers and ensure that they are following protocol. You will also have to supervise them, which means that you need to know how best to work with people who might not be your friends or even like each other. In some cases, they may not even get along at all.
The key is having the skills necessary to manage an entire police unit without letting one person take control or influence another’s actions.
If these responsibilities sound exciting and interesting to you, then becoming a police chief could be a good career move for your future.
Emotional regulation in law enforcement
You need to be able to regulate your emotions. This is especially important for law enforcement, as the job requires you to respond with a level head and make quick decisions that may affect people’s lives.
You will also likely face stressful situations daily as an officer. It would help if you learned how to handle this stress to perform well in the field.
You’ll be dealing with fear in many situations, whether it’s of the suspect or being afraid of getting hurt yourself when responding to an incident at hand. Furthermore, there might be times when other people are angry at you because they have been arrested or have got into some sort of trouble while under arrest by your department’s officers (or another agency). You’ll need to develop strategies for dealing effectively with these kinds of situations.
Understanding the need for long-term planning
You will also need to think ahead and plan. For example, if you want to be a police officer or detective, you will need to consider how long it takes to get through the training process and what specialty areas are available.
You may also want to look at whether there is room on your current team for someone with new skills or experience. Once you have decided what career path suits you best, it’s time to start thinking about how much money it will cost over the years and how much time away from work (and family) will be involved in that pursuit.
Avoiding tunnel vision
The world is often seen from a limited perspective. The way that we see things, how our friends and family see them, and even how our government sees them can be quite different from one another. One of the most important skills to have in any career is the ability to look at things from different angles and draw conclusions based on evidence, rather than personal feelings or bias.
As a law enforcement officer, you must be flexible in order to deal with changing situations quickly and effectively, as well as being able to make decisions that are best for everyone involved (including yourself). You need to be able to change your mind if necessary. After all, this isn’t an exact science where there is only one correct answer every time.
As an example, imagine yourself as a police officer who has pulled over someone driving erratically on the freeway at 2 in the morning. In this situation, many things are going through your head. Is this person drunk? Are they about to drive off into traffic? Should I pull out my gun? When considering these questions, you must remain calm and think rationally before acting because there could easily be consequences if you are too hasty.
Instead of focusing so much on what might happen next, try looking backward toward past experiences where similar situations played out differently depending on how each individual handled themselves during those stressful moments.
Finding the right environment for your personality in law enforcement
You might be a good fit for law enforcement if you:
· Work well in a team environment: In law enforcement, it is essential to be a team player. This means that you can work with other people, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and are willing to help them improve.
· Work well in a fast-paced environment: You’re comfortable working under pressure, which is often the case when someone’s life is on the line or an emergency occurs.
· Can handle stressful environments: Law enforcement can be a good fit if you can work in stressful environments that may involve high levels of conflict. This doesn’t mean that you should necessarily seek out these kinds of jobs. However, if they come your way, then it’s vital that you’re able to handle them professionally while maintaining your composure no matter what happens around you (or how many times this happens).
Law enforcement training
If you’re considering a career in law enforcement, you’ll want to know about the training that officers receive.
Basic training
Basic training for entry-level recruits provides an introduction to the duties and responsibilities of a police officer. The course is designed to prepare recruits for field duty. Recruits are taught about laws, self-defense tactics, firearms safety and use, arrest procedures, communication skills, and other topics necessary for law enforcement.
Specialized training
If you’re interested in law enforcement, you might be wondering if you need a degree or specialized training before applying for a job.
The answer is yes – you’ll need both. Most departments require at least an associate degree in criminal justice or criminology, but some larger agencies may require a bachelor’s degree.
You can get trained in criminal justice or criminology at an accredited college or university. You can also opt for online criminology programs if you prefer not to attend classes on campus. Your coursework should include courses on criminal justice theory and practice, public policy analysis, criminal procedure law, constitutional law, sociology and psychology of crime and delinquency, forensics (crime scene investigation), ethics of policing (including racial profiling), physical fitness training, and more.
Field work
After completing basic training, recruits are assigned to an experienced officer who serves as their mentor during the field portion of their training. During this period, they learn on-the-job skills such as interviewing victims and witnesses, conducting traffic stops, and responding to emergencies.
In-service training
In-service training is provided later in an officer’s career to update existing skills or learn new ones. This type of training helps officers stay current on emerging technologies that may be used on the job, and changes in laws and policies that affect police work. In some cases, specific courses are required by state law or department policy.
Things you should consider before a career change to law enforcement
Before you change career, you will need to consider the following.
How much do you value balance in your lifestyle?
Being a law enforcement officer requires long shifts and staying late at work. Do you have any family members or friends who can help you with childcare or other responsibilities while working long hours? Will your partner be able to tag along and support both of your careers at once?
What type of environment suits your personality best?
Do you prefer working alone or with others, handling stressful situations or building relationships, learning new things daily, or staying in one place for many years (if not decades)? The answer will determine what role within law enforcement is right for you.
What kind of role matches up with your skillset?
Are there specific tasks that come naturally to you that would make them more enjoyable than others (for example, planning crime prevention strategies)? Do some tasks interest you, while others intimidate you (for example, giving testimony in court)? Is there a task that seems unattractive (for example, doing paperwork)?
Final thoughts
As you can see, being a police officer is not just about arresting criminals. Law enforcement is a profession that offers many benefits, including the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in your community.
There are many types of law enforcement careers, and each one requires different skills. You will be able to find one that fits your personality and interests best if you take the time to research the different roles available before deciding what kind of career path would be most suitable for your life goals.
