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Choosing a Career

Students should be aware that prior felony convictions are disqualifying. Prior substance abuse and other disqualifiers may apply in specific positions related to law enforcement or forensics.
 

Facts about Criminal Justice Careers
 

1. Public Service
1. Police, corrections, court staff positions and others involve dealing with the public.
2. People are not always at their best in an emergency.
3. Authority figures seldom win popularity contests, but courtesy is required even under pressure.
4. Usually good retirement, benefits, and salary increases.
5. Good incentive pay for education, bilingual, special skills (K-9, SWAT, mounted).
6. Confrontations occur; must be able to handle if unable to diffuse.
7. Satisfaction in helping others, making a difference daily.
    

2. Ethics
1. Held to a higher standard than the general public, due to the higher degree of responsibility shouldered.
2. Constant contact with crime and criminals can sometimes blur the lines, or create prejudice and cynicism.
3. Must be a credible witness; testimony can help determine someone’s life.
    

3. Background
1. Closer scrutiny in personal life than other jobs

                                                              i.     Polygraph.        
ii.      Home visits.
iii.      References from 15+ years ago.                      
iv.     Credit check for financial problems.  
 v.      Drug use, criminal record
vi.      Friends, family, affiliations. 

4. Hours and Shifts
1. Night shifts, call outs, overtime, comp time.
2. Shifts not on the same rotation as school semesters, can interfere with education of employee, spouse, and children.
3. 10-hour days, usually.
4. Shift differential pay.

Facts About Forensic Careers 

1. It takes more than one person to do what they do on CSI
   
      a.  Forensic Specialist
           i.  Photographs, collects, preserves evidence.
           ii.   May do some processing in the lab.
          iii.   Requires a two-year degree (in California). 

              b. Criminalist
                  i.  DNA, ballistics, fiber comparison, toxicology
                 ii.  Mostly in the lab.
                 iii. Usually not an expert in all areas.
                 iv. Requires a four-year degree in science
                     (Biology or Chemistry) plus forensic training. 

             c. Latent Print Examiner
                  i.  Compares fingerprints manually and with
                     computer
                  ii.  Requirements vary, but typically 2+ years
                     experience comparing and identifying prints,
                     plus an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree, or 4+
                     years of experience. 

                 d. Investigator (sworn position)
                  i. Questions suspects, victims and witnesses
                 ii.  Carries a gun.  
                 ii.  Police officer who has progressed to homicide
                     detective.
                iv.  Works closely with forensic specialist.

2. Not police officers
   1. Usually a civilian position.
   2. May carry a gun; many departments encourage this.
   3. Can be left at scene alone or with little protection.
   4. Must be good in science: college-level chemistry and biology required for degree or certificate.
   5. Must still pass background (polygraph, references).
       

3. Crime scenes are not all indoors
   1. Canyons, trash dumps, forest, beach, desert.
   2. Bugs, flora and fauna of all sorts.
   3. May require physical exertion: back, legs, and arms need to be strong.
       

4. It’s not all done with computers
   1. Computers help team members, they don’t replace them.
   2. A person has to tell the computer things first; it doesn’t automatically know everything.
   3. Fingerprint matches are verified by more than one examiner; the computer is not the final word.