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Law Enforcement Careers in the US


In the US, a career in law enforcement is both demanding and gratifying. A law enforcement officer is responsible for upholding the law, enforcing peace, carrying firearms, and more. With such responsibilities, it is understandable that law enforcement agencies have rigorous standards when it comes to finding the right person for the job.
 
If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, you might be wondering what type of jobs are available and how to go about getting one. There are far more opportunities available than you may realize. 
 
Below, we will discuss these career opportunities, job titles, and what it takes to get hired in law enforcement in America so read on to start your journey to a new career!
 

What is Law Enforcement

In the United States, many different careers are considered law enforcement. There are also various law enforcement agencies across America.
 
From federal agencies that cover the entire country (and beyond) to small-town police forces, there are multiple jobs and demands for the positions depending on what you want to do and your qualifications.
 

Federal Law Enforcement

Sixty-five federal agencies have close to 700,000 personnel authorized to enforce the law by conducting arrests and carrying firearms. These agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Bureau of Prisons, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
 
These federal officers are responsible for duties such as:

State and Local Law Enforcement

State and local law enforcement agencies in the US number about 17,000. These include large police forces that have 30,000 officers and tiny sheriffs departments that employ one officer.
 
You will find municipal departments run by cities across the US, but there are other types of law enforcement agencies including:  
All of the above jobs are open to those who possess the correct qualifications. You will first need to pass the hiring process by properly studying and preparing for the interviews and exams.
 

Choosing a Career in Law Enforcement

There are three types of law enforcement jobs: investigative or detective, uniformed officer, or support staff. Police officers and detectives have relatively different day-to-day activities. However, the ability to write a report and keep organized records is crucial for both jobs.
 
The following positions and their descriptions offer more details:


Uniformed officers

Uniformed officers can include police officers and correctional officers.
 

Police Officers

Uniformed police officers are primarily responsible for enforcement. This means they are usually on patrol or available to respond to calls. They may also be called upon to give first aid, investigate robberies or burglaries, and direct traffic.
 
Large cities will usually see two uniformed officers patrolling together, but maybe just one officer will patrol in smaller towns.
 
A uniformed officer may need to pursue or arrest criminals, respond to community violations like noise complaints or domestic violence calls, and much more. Some police forces use community policing to build a stronger relationship within the citizens of the city or town and use the community to help fight crime by remaining alert and giving police information.
 

Correctional Officers

A correctional officer is responsible for keeping the community and inmates safe by ensuring that all procedures are correctly completed in a corrections setting. Depending on the position, they may be tasked with rehabilitation, as well.
 

Positions Held by Uniformed Officers

Detectives or Investigators

Detectives or investigators are plainclothes officers who collect evidence, interview witnesses, suspects, and victims, and observe and make arrests when necessary.
 
Detectives can be specialized, such as human trafficking, fraud, homicide, and more, within a police force.
 
Plainclothes positions are:

Support Positions

Support positions for law enforcement are every bit as crucial to keeping law and order as plainclothes or uniformed police. These support people are usually responsible for ballistic tests, lab results, evidence curation, and experiments.
 
Some support positions are held by specialists in the career field; however, some are filled by former police officers who have special qualifications or training.
 
Support positions include:
 

How to Prepare for Law Enforcement Exams

Being hired for federal law enforcement positions is different from the local forces and state agencies. However, there is almost always a written test.
 
This written test is based on a general aptitude test that will assess your critical thinking, problem-solving, and general knowledge skills. You will most likely also need to pass an interview.
 
As with any exam, it is best to be as prepared as possible. This is especially true since your future career is on the line, dependent on the outcome of your test.
 
So, how do you study for a test that measures your general knowledge? Turn to an online test preparation service. An excellent online test preparation service will offer strategically designed study guides and practice tests so you can prepare for the exam portion of the hiring process.
 

Police Test Tutor

A great resource that can help you prepare for a career in law enforcement is Police Test Tutor. With expert interview coaching and award-winning resume writing, Police Test Tutor can help you stand out above all other candidates
 
Police Test Tutor has a Career Development Practitioner who is also the only Certified Emergency Services Specialist in the world, which means that you will be getting career support from the best possible source!
 
Sign up today to get started!