LAW ENFORCEMENT JOBS
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State Law Enforcement Jobs
Nearly every state has a State Police or State Highway Patrol agency. In some states, it may be called the Department of Public Safety. Their law enforcement officers a commonly referred to as "State Troopers." Every state has some slight differences as to the Trooper's duties and responsibilities. Listed below are some of the general differences between the State Police and the State Highway Patrol.
State Police
The State Police is basically a full service law enforcement agency. They patrol the highways but are also a policing force for the majority of the state. It is not uncommon to see a state trooper patroling a rural county road even though the sheriff's office may have jurisdiction in the same area. They not only respond to traffic accidents but they may be the first responder to any type of crime. The State Police usually have a large amount of investigative responsibilities.
State Highway Patrol
As their name implies the State Highway Patrol does a lot of patrolling on the state highways. In some states, they are limited to statewide traffic services. They keep the roadways safe by enforcing the motor vehicle laws. They are considered peace officers and usually have statewide jurisdiction to enforce state law. They do conduct investigations but are sometimes limited to criminal activity on state-owned property.
Every State Police and State Highway Patrol has specialized units within their agency. Once you become a Trooper and have gained enough experience, you can usually apply for one of these positions. Here are some of the divisions that these agencies may have.
State Bureau of Investigation
This is the state's version of the FBI. In some states, they are called the SBI (State Bureau of Investigation) while other state's attached the state name to the title such as GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation). These are plainclothes agents who investigate criminal and civil cases within the state's jurisdiction. A lot of their work involves investigating illegal narcotics, apprehending fugitives and enforcing the anit-terorism laws. They usually report to the state's Attorney General and in some cases the Governor.
Crime Scene Specialists
Using state-of-the-art crime scene equipment, these agents are responsible for identifying, collecting, forensically examining and preserving physical evidence at crime scenes. This may include fingerprints, drug analysis, toxicology, hair samples, fiber samples and firearms.
Anti-Terrorist Team
This unit focuses on subversive organizations such as white supremacist groups operating within the state. They will also investigate terrorist acts such as bombings and threats.
Canine Unit
If a Trooper stops a vehicle that he suspects may be transporting drugs, the canine unit may be called to have a dog seach the vehicle. If the dog alerts, this gives the Trooper probable cause to search the vehicle or at least detain the vehicle and driver until a search warratn can be obtained. Dog may also be used to detect explosives and to search an area for suspect who may be hiding.
Polygraph unit
Personnel from this unit will administer polygraph examinations for the State Bureau of Investigation. They will also assist other law enforcement agencies who do not have a polygraph examiner.
Governor's Detail
The State Police and Highway Patrol are usually responsible for protecting the governor and other dignitaries. A detail may be stationed at the governor's residence as well as a detail traveling with the governor.
Most states have other law enforcement jobs that are not a part of the State Police or State Patrol. Some states may have the careers listed below. In some cases, they may be a division of the State Police while others may be their own agency.
Alcohol Law Enforcement
The primary mission of the ALE is the enforcement of state laws governing alcoholic beverages, drugs, and tobacco. Agents sometimes work undercover to ensure business are not selling alcoholic beverages and cigarettes to minors. They also perform any law enforcement duty assigned by the Governor.
Capitol Police
Capitol Police Officers are usually in uniform and perform a wide range of police duties in and around the state's capitol. Tyey will expedite traffic flow around the Capitol, investigate accidents, and assist visitors to the capitol complex. They also provide interior security at the capitol and sometimes at the Governor's residence. To assist in performing their duties, they may utilized bike patrols and trained police dogs.
Envirnomental Police Officer
This agency has the power to enforce the laws and regulations pertaining to fish and wildlife as well as fresh water wetlands and the forests. They often work in the state parks and game preserves. They also enforce the boating and water safety laws.
Secretary of State Police
The Secretary of State Police is responsible for the regulation of businesses involved in the sale of motor vehicles and vehicle parts. They protect the consumer of fraudulent motor vehicle transactions throughout the state.
County Law Enforcement Jobs
Deputy Sheriff
The most prevalent county law enforcement job is with the Sheriff's Office. The sheriff is usually the highest law-enforcement officer of a county. In most counties, the sheriff is elected by the people of that county. All law-enforcement officers working for the Sheriff's Office are called deputy sheriffs or sheriff's deputies because they are deputized by the sheriff to perform the same duties that he performs.
Deputy sheriffs are responsible for enforcing the laws within the county in which they work. This can include the city limits, but their work usually takes them into more rural areas. They conduct criminal investigations, respond to emergency situations and patrol the county roads. In most states, the sheriff is responsible for housing local prisoners. Some sheriffs' offices require that a deputies also work in the jail supervising inmates as well as working on the street. Other sheriff offices see this as two separate functions, corrections and policing, and do not require their deputies to work in the jail.
The sheriff's office is usually responsible for transporting inmates to the courthouse for their hearings. In addition, they main screen visitors entering the courthouse, provide security for judges and other courthouse personnel, maintain order within the courthouse, and serve criminal and civil process. Most sheriffs' offices follow a career ladder of deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, etc.
County Police Officer
Some states such as Maryland also have a County Police Department in addition to the Sheriff's Office. County Police Officers have jurisdiction throughout the county they work in. They patrol designated areas in the county to preserve the peace and to prevent and discover the commission of crime. They may direct traffic, enforce motor vehicle operating and parking regulations, and perform communication functions. A County Police Officer may also conduct preliminary investigations at the scene of a crime, administer first aid, gather evidence, obtain witnesses, make arrests, and testify as a witness in court proceedings.
City Law Enforcement Jobs
Police Officer
City police officers are responsible for enforcing the law within the city limits. New officers usually spend time on the street patrolling a certain area of the city. This may be in a car, on a motorcycle or bicycle or on foot. A city police officer probably experiences more diverse situations than any other law enforcement officer. This is because they can encounter nearly every type of criminal activity. They may respond to a burglary in progress, a domestic dispute, a shooting, a kidnapping, a suicide, etc. Even though we think of some crimes as being strictly a federal crime such as bank robbery, the first officers responding to the bank's alarm will not be the FBI. It will probably be the city police officer who is closest to the bank. Police officers are also responsible for providing public assistance, answering calls related to traffic incidents and other emergencies, collecting, preserving and maintaining evidence, serving arrest warrants, and performing other related activities as needed or required. They are usually required to work various shifts including the weekends.
After several years on the job, officers are eligible for a promotion to the rank of sergeant, lieutenant, detective, etc. They can also apply for a specialized unit. Listed below are some of the more common divisions that most departments have.
Homicide
Robbery
Burglary
Fraud
Computer Forensics
Juvenile
Sex Crimes
Polygraph Section
Motorcycles
Canine
Bicycle
Foot Patrol
Crime Prevention
Bomb Squad
Town Marshal
Some cities have a Town Marshal's Office. This may be in lieu of a police department or in addition to the city police. Some small towns which only have one or two law enforcement officers will refer to them as marshals rather than city police officers. However, there are towns which will have a Marshal's Office that employs 30 or more sworn Deputy Marshals.
In some cities, the Marshal will function as the Chief of Police. He reports to the Mayor and Town council. The Marshal and his deputies are responsible for the enforcement of those provisions of the Town Code including zoning ordinances, the preservation of law and order, and the protection of life and property. In some cities, the Marshal's Office provides court services to the Municipal Court. This includes providing security at the courthouse, serving subpoenas issued by the court and collecting any fines owed to the court.
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HOMELAND SECURITY JOBS
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - employees are responsible for adjudicating and processing the host of applications and forms necessary to ensure the immigration of people and their families to the United States, from initial stages through their transition, to permanent residence, and finally to citizenship.
U.S. Coast Guard - civilian employees work together with military personnel to save lives, enforce the law, operate ports and waterways, and protect the environment.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - employees prevent losses from disasters wherever possible, and assist when they do happen. you will be part of an intensely-focused team dedicated to helping our country prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from disasters.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees enforce immigration and customs laws, safeguard U.S. commercial aviation, and protect Federal facilities.
U.S. Secret Service - employees have the dual missions of protecting our nation’s leaders, and criminal investigation involving law enforcement, security, information technology, communications, administration, intelligence, forensics, and other specialized fields.
U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees help secure our transportation infrastructure from future terrorist acts in intelligence, regulation enforcement and inspection positions.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) employees develop the skills, knowledge, and professionalism of law enforcers from 80+ Federal agencies in this unique inter-agency training organization.
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