Criminology Careers

Having throughly enjoyed my career in law enforcement thus far, I can tell you first hand that working as a police officer is a great gig if you can get it. And while many people appreciate their local law enforcement, few people realize what it really takes to become a police officer.

Grueling Hiring Process

The hiring process is often long and grueling, and nearly every aspect of your life is scrutinized to make sure you have what it takes to do the job. There are academic assessments, physical assessments, medical assessments and psychological assessments. And the then the hard part starts: the police academy.

• Learn more about how to become a police officer

Worth the Wait

It's a tough job to get, and a tough field to work in. In the end though, the reasons to be a police officer far outnumber the sacrifices and the sorrows. Ultimately, there's no comparison to the feeling you get after a long hard day at work, knowing you did everything you could to make your part of the world just a little bit safer. Image copyright Zigy Kaluzny, courtesy of Getty Images

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In October of 1961, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President of the United States to declare May 15 of each year Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy honored the request, and every May 15 thereafter has been set aside to honor the sacrifices of those police officers who laid down their lives in the protection and service of others.

The week surrounding Peace Officers Memorial Day is known as National Police Week and, thanks to the collaboration and hard work of organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and the Concerns of Police Survivors, the memories of these brave public servants live on and are celebrated every year.

Sadly, every year we add new names to the memorial as well, serving as a sobering reminder of the danger inherent in law enforcement careers. Never forget that policing is more than a just job, but a calling to a higher purpose, and we are all called to sacrifice in one way or another, even as some give far more than we'd like but no less than we need.

This week marks National Police Week, a time in which we recognize the incredible sacrifices of those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. But it is also a time to recall that all police officers make sacrifices every day. They miss nights at home, they miss holidays with family, and there's even science to suggest that police careers may lead to poor health.

Backing the Blue

Law enforcement officers face the tough task of balancing enforcement efforts with compassion and service, and by and large they do so with great success. We necessarily hold these men and women of policing to a higher ethical standard, but let's not lose sight of the price they pay every day to keep the rest of us safe.

• Want to know what it's like to be a police officer? Read: A Day in the Life of a Police Officer.

In the coming days during National Police Week, thousands of officers and supporters from all over the U.S. will converge on the nation's capital on their bicycles to participate in police week events and raise the profile of this important week.

In 1997, police officers from New Jersey organized the first Police Unity Tour, riding their bicycles from Florham Park, NJ to Washington, D.C. The purpose of the tour was to raise awareness of officers who died in the line of duty and to raise funds to maintain and restore the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

To date, the Police Unity Tour has raised nearly $12 million for the National Law Enforcement Memorial as officers make the days-long trek on bikes to honor those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Peace Officers Memorial Day is recognized on May 15 each year. The week surrounding the date has come to be known as National Police Week. If you're in the D.C. area and would like to pay your respects, here's what will be going on in 2013:

• May 7: Blue Mass (Catholic Mass honoring law enforcement) at St. Patrick's Catholic Church
• May 10: Memorial service for fallen officers from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area at Washington Metropolitan Police headquarters.
• May 12: Catch a Nationals baseball game and help raise money for police survivors at Washington Nationals Police Night. First pitch is at 1:35 P.M. as the Nationals take on the Cubs - so you know you'll catch a Nats' win.
• May 13: Annual candlelight vigil. The vigil will begin at 8:00 PM in the 400 block of E Street NW.
• May 15: The National Peace Officers Memorial Service will be held at the United States Capitol, beginning at 11:00 AM. The service includes the annual Roll Call of Heroes, where the names of all those officer who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2012 will be called.

Most everyone understands, at least in the abstract, that law enforcement careers are dangerous. Every year, National Police Week drives that point home as events are held throughout Washington, D.C. to honor fallen officers and their families. For more information, visit PoliceWeek.org.

So, you did it! You earned your degree in criminal justice or criminology. You're finally ready to start that exciting new chapter in your life and embark on a bold new career. So now what? If you're scratching your head wondering what to do with that diploma, then read on, my friend, and get help finding your career path.

What Next?

Graduation can sometimes feel like a blur, leaving you wondering "just what I do now?" First things first, you've got to figure out what you can do with that brand new diploma of yours:

• Find out more: What Can I Do with a Degree in Criminology?
• Find out more: What Can I Do with a Degree in Criminal Justice?

Look at your choices, and then choose the career that you think is the best fit. Finding the right fit is vital to future job satisfaction and success, so take your time and do your research.

• Learn more: Finding the Right Criminology Career for You

Some careers expect you to bring experience to the table. The question is, how can you get a job if you don't have experience, and how can you get experience if you don't have a job? No worries:

• Learn how to get the experience you need for a career in criminal justice or criminology.

Of course, you'll probably want to earn some money in your new career, too. To find out where you can maximize your earning potential and learn about the highest paying jobs in criminology and criminal justice.

Image courtesy Maximo Santana via Creative Commons

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Just in case some of you were unaware of this fact, not everything you see on TV is real. This is especially true for crime scene investigation shows.

Yes, careers in forensic science can be extremely interesting, with all kinds of specialties available in the field. Shows like CSI and Dexter have inspired countless individuals to pursue careers as forensic computer experts, bloodstain pattern analysts, forensic psychologists and forensic ballistics experts.

As exciting as such careers are, though, some people might be disappointed to learn that art does not necessarily reflect life.

Crimes don't get wrapped up in an hour, lab analysis never comes back in less than a couple of weeks, and graffiti doesn't fall from the ceiling every time there's a DNA profile match.

Instead, working in crime scene investigations takes hard work, creativity and an inquisitive mind to help detectives and criminal investigators get the information they need to put the pieces of the puzzle together and solve crimes.

Though this doesn't happen in an hour, or even a day, it is extremely important work that anyone would be proud to be involved in.

Read more about crime scene investigations and the "CSI effect"

So, graduation season is here yet again and thousands of new grads will soon be unleashed upon the workforce, ready to make their way in the world. Some of these folks will be looking for jobs in criminology and criminal justice. Many of them will have jobs lined up. In this tough job market, though, most probably do not.

In case you missed them, here's a rundown of information on what to do after graduation and how to choose and find criminal justice and criminology careers:

• First things first, you need to figure out exactly what you want to do with your life, right? Take that first step and read more about choosing the perfect job in criminology for you.

• If you still need help deciding, learn more about some of the more popular careers and read up on hot jobs in criminal justice and criminology.

• Of course, for more in-depth information, you'll want to check out the ever-increasing number of criminology career profiles.
• Once you've decided on the career path for you, be sure to use the keys to job search success.
• The next step is to look for jobs. Whether it's your first job or the next step in your career, you can get help by checking out the top criminal justice job boards and the top forensic science job boards.
• Once you've settled on a profession and filled out the job application, get yourself ready for the criminal justice hiring process.
• Learn more about background checks, physical abilities tests and polygraph exams.
• Not ready to leave college? There's always grad school. Find out more about earning a master's degree in criminal justice or criminology.

Congratulations to all of the new graduates out there. Here's hoping you enjoy the fun and rewarding careers you've chosen for yourselves. Now go celebrate. You've earned it!

Image copyright Tim Roufa 2012

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Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs recognized the 2013 National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Since 1981, a week in April has been set aside to highlight the special challenges victims of crime face, to build awareness of available programs and to discuss new ways to help some of the most vulnerable among us.

Recognizing Victims of Crime

For the majority of criminology's history, the primary focus has been on crime and the criminal, with little regard for the victims. Over the course of the latter part of the Twentieth Century, that gradually changed as criminologists began to study how crime affected victims. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we remember why those of us working in criminal justice and criminology careers do what we do: to help others.

Victims' Advocate Careers

And speaking of criminal justice careers, this marks a great opportunity to highlight an important job in criminology: Victims' Advocate. If you have a desire to help victims of crime receive the attention, compassion a guidance they deserve, read more now about victims' advocate careers.

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It's easy to think that police officers, detectives and forensic scientists have been a part of human society from the beginning, but history shows us that's not the case. Forensic science, in particular, has a relatively young history in comparison to he developing of other societal institutions.

• Read more about the early history of forensic science
• Learn about the early history of criminology
• Learn more about early policing techniques

Big Advances in a Short Time

Despite it's short history, the have been tremendous advances in forensic science in the last century, leading to better investigative techniques, solid convictions and even the release of people who were previously found guilty.

• Read more about the modern history of forensic science
• Learn about the modern history of criminology
• Learn more about modern policing techniques

The Future of Forensics

The future looks even brighter, with new technologies introduced seemingly daily. There are now so many specialties within the field of forensic science that you are sure to find a career that peeks your interest.

Work in Forensic Science

• Learn more about the job of a forensic science technician
• Find jobs in forensic science

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