Law enforcement personnel play a crucial role in ensuring that law and safeguarding people’s lives and rights. The important part played by law enforcement people has wonderfully been portrayed in several mainstream movies and television series.
Many of the high-ranked personnel once in their childhood loved to watch their favorite character solving mysteries and catching the criminals. Pursuing a career in law enforcement can be rewarding and challenging. There are numerous career opportunities in law enforcement, and officers are ranked according to their job titles and job description.
The Importance of Law Enforcement Personnel
The law enforcement officers who take the oath are allowed to ensure that people obey the law, make arrests, and fine people who violate the law. The justice system promises high-paying careers for individuals who have the required education and extensive experience.
The emphasis of the law enforcement organization is maintaining social control, preventing crime, increasing security, handing out fines and penalties, and providing a safe environment for people.
The individual’s injustice department has to gain knowledge on numerous aspects, which include law, political science, criminal justice, forensic science, sociology, and criminal justice. The best paying law enforcement jobs in Virginia include
- Lawyers
Attorneys or lawyers are top of the tree when it comes to getting high pay. Lawyers represent an individual in different cases that can be civil or criminal. The main task of lawyers is to provide information to clients on how to practice their legal rights.
Lawyers have possessed adequate knowledge of the law, court proceedings, negotiation with fellow lawyers, and judicial decisions. There are numerous fields in law, and lawyers have to specialize in one particular field that may be civil law, criminal law, insurance, intellectual property, bankruptcy, probate laws, and public interest. Lawyers may earn anywhere from $80,000 to $180,000 in a year.
- Private detectives
The private detectives or investigators have to deal with different tasks from maintaining law to apprehend criminals to collecting evidence and solving crimes. The private detectives are employed to collect evidence that may involve researching, interviewing witnesses, examining evidence, and testifying if the case proceeds in court.
Private investigators carry a valid license to practice their services, and most work for the police department, private firms, interagency firms but may also be privately hired by individuals. Most detectives may initially start as police officers but may develop interest and skills to solve complex crimes.
Private detectives have to complete required physical fitness tests, psychological examinations, and written examinations. The private detectives move from one rank to another nice they gather relevant experience and additional training within the law department. Private detectives may earn anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000.
- Police Officers
One of the most common careers in the law department is that of Police Officers.’ The various tasks performed by police officers include maintaining law and order, collecting evidence, preventing crime from happening, apprehending criminals, investigating facts, and testifying in court.
The main duty of police officers quickly responds to people who need urgent assistance. Police officers may work for local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. To become a police officer, an individual has to pass numerous physical, written, medical tests.
The individual also has to pass psychological evaluations to determine their intellectual, emotional, and mental health. Once the individual passes the test, then he/she has to take proper training at the police academy that includes different programs such as practical training and improving physical fitness. The police officers earn from $40,000 to $70,000.
- Federal Marshals
The Federal Marshals are a special branch of law department and work with the government. The Federal Marshals are responsible for managing many key tasks that include protecting court officers, securing federal courts, serving search and arrest warrants, transporting prisoners, and ensuring smooth function of the judicial system.
An individual must obtain a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and then pass the different written, psychological and physical tests to become a Federal Marshall and eligible to earn $40,000 to $50,000 annually.
- Forensic Analysis
The Forensic experts may have a subdued role compared to other individuals of the law department but still an important one. Forensic experts or analysts are responsible for collecting, categorizing, and examine physical evidence that may help to establish an investigation.
The evidence collected and analyzed is also mostly used in court proceedings to establish an individual’s guilt or innocence. The forensic experts are employed in city, country, and state laboratories, and they work closely with police officers, private detectives, and medical examiners.
Some of the fields that forensic experts have to study include handwriting, fingerprints, and biochemistry. An individual has to get a degree in criminal justice with a specialization in forensic science. A forensic analyst may earn $40,000 to $60,000 yearly.
- Paralegals
The paralegals work in various places such as law firms, corporations, bankruptcy firms, public notaries, organizations, license service companies, and arbitration services. A paralegal’s job is to perform research, plan, organize, examine, and gather information for hearings, meetings, and trials.
Paralegals may also help in estate planning, tax returns, and trust funds. An individual has to get a two-year associate degree in the paralegal program. Paralegals earn anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000.
- Probation Officers
The role of probation officers is to manage, supervise, and control offenders and prisoners who are convicted for particular crimes and on probation waiting for a sentence and not yet incarcerated. The probation officers may also help offenders who get free from incarceration.
The focus of probation officers is to examine the background and history of the offender and submit the information to the court officials. The probation officers may also refer to social resources, court order modification, counseling, rehabilitation services, community service, and career training.
An individual must pass the undergraduate program and complete the physical, written, and psychological test and become probation officers and earn from $35,000 up to $60,000 annually.
Conclusion
If you are considering a career in law enforcement, then you must know that you have to be committed to uphold the law and protect the people and prevent any crime or injustice. Every law enforcement field promises growth and high pay as you learn and gain experience.