Law Enforcement

What is Law Enforcement?

The field of Law Enforcement is made of up individuals and agencies responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining public order and public safety. Law enforcement includes the prevention, detection, and investigation of crime, and the apprehension and detention of individuals suspected of law violation. If you enjoy these activities, this could be the career for you.

Students in this program learn the technical skills needed to enter or advance in a wide variety of positions. Completion of a two-year degree can lead to a bachelor degree from a four-year institution that would allow the pursuit of a criminal justice position at the local, state or federal level. At Terra State, our Law Enforcement students have good communication and people skills along with good physical fitness. Does this describe you?

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Career Opportunities

Graduates of a Law Enforcement program can find careers in a variety of areas such as a police officer, deputy sheriff, probation officer, corrections officer, communications officer, security officer and parole officer. Learn more about some of these below or check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Police officers and Detectives

Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.

The median annual wage for police and detectives was $62,960 in May 2017.

Employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The continued need for public safety is expected to lead to new openings for officers, although demand may vary by location.

Probation officers and Correctional treatment specialists

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.

The median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $51,410 in May 2017.

Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job openings should remain plentiful because many people leave the occupation each year.