NCJ Number
93912
Date Published
1984
Length
160 pages
Annotation
Following a review of the history and scope of law enforcement in America, this book discusses aspects of law enforcement career opportunities at the city, county, and State levels as well as in the military and Federal services; separate chapters are devoted to salaries, employment conditions, and educational requirements, and a chapter is also given to related careers in criminal justice and public safety.
Abstract
A compact history of law enforcement outlines the transition of police work from the 'watch and ward' system to complex modern agencies with over 25,000 personnel responsible for large geographic areas and populations. The discussion of law enforcement career opportunities at the city and county levels includes selection requirements; written tests; physical examinations; personal interviews; probation, tenure, and promotion; patrol and traffic officers; detectives; county units; and sheriff's departments. Career opportunities at the State level focus on the State police and highway patrol as well as civilian positions and other regulatory units. Typical assignments are described for the military services and Federal agencies. In addition to providing information on law enforcement salaries, fringe benefits and other incentives are also indicated. The description of employment conditions notes the frustrations associated with police work as well as the danger involved. Educational requirements encompass high school, college, the cadet (work-study) program, recruit training, and inservice training. A chapter on related careers in criminal justice and public safety briefly considers correctional positions court and legal positions, private security and loss prevention, criminalistics, polygraphics, document examination, laboratory work, and support jobs. National associations and Federal agencies that provide information on criminal justice careers are briefly described and their addresses listed. Appendixes contain recommended readings and a list of colleges offering criminal justice curricula.