Today, law enforcement professionals face new challenges as more complex criminal enterprises are springing up. The strategies used by these criminals require the latest expertise to deal with. Such demanding situations have made law enforcement a thriving career with a wide array of career options.
Previously, law enforcement workers did not need a college degree, but those times have changed. Due to the growing need for expertise in this field, candidates who possess a college degree have a competitive advantage over others. Additionally, having a degree paves your path up the career ladder, allowing you to progress. It is safe to say that the first step towards having a career in law enforcement is to get the right education. It might seem like a challenging first step considering the number of resources and time acquiring a degree takes, but here are eight options to help you choose.
1. Criminal Justice
A criminal justice degree allows you to have a multi-faceted career due to the vast areas it covers. You learn about methods to deter crime, ethics, psychology of criminals, and theories on crime that form the basis of political and social frameworks. This extensive knowledge allows you to have meaningful careers such as a homicide detective. For example, being familiar with the psychology of criminals is a valuable skill that all detectives must possess. Being a homicide detective, you have the power to control crime and shape cases in such a way that criminals are brought to justice.
If you are wondering how to become a homicide detective, then your first step should be to get a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Police officers who aspire to be detectives can also pursue this degree.
2. Psychology
Criminal psychologists are in demand in many areas of law enforcement as they play a crucial role in controlling crime. Understanding how criminals think helps solve cases faster, and law officers can take steps to prevent crime from occurring in the first place. A degree in psychology opens the door to both public and private sector jobs. You can work as a mental health officer, court worker, or counselor in a rehabilitation center. By counseling people, you will have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of prisoners who would have otherwise met a different fate.
3. Finance And Accounting
With the growth of financial markets, white-collar crime has increased. Unlike blue-collar crime, it does not involve violence, making it even more difficult to spot. A lot of cases go unreported as a result. The growth of white-collar crime imposes a high cost on the US economy. As per reports released by the FBI, these crimes have cost the country over $300 billion every year. These situations have led to an increase in the demand for professionals that can deal with financial fraud. And what better way to cater to that demand than by getting a degree in finance and accounting? Not only this, but this degree also gives you a solid foundation for a career in leadership and management roles.
4. Digital Forensics
As criminals increasingly use the internet to commit crimes, the demand for professionals equipped with the knowledge of digital forensics has increased. By having a degree in it, you can have a career in any law enforcement agency. If you join the police force after completing a degree in digital forensics, your chances of promotion will increase considerably. You can even start an independent organization of your own, providing services to others by investigating data and responding to threats appropriately.
5. Sociology
Why do people break the law? Why does crime exist? There are no easy answers to these questions, but sociologists study the relationship between crime and social cohesion to find answers to these questions. Law professionals can gain a great deal by having a degree in sociology as it gives an insight into why people commit a crime. This knowledge comes in handy when shaping policies to thwart crime.
6. Law
The relationship between law and law enforcement agencies has made law an expanding field with a myriad of opportunities. Some cases, such as those of abuse and domestic violence, are difficult for prosecutors to try. Your degree in law and its skills can help win these cases and bring perpetrators to justice. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for lawyers is projected to increase by 9% in the coming years. Judging by these numbers, you can have a very successful career defending people or starting your law clinic. You can also use your degree in law as a building block to further advance your career by becoming an attorney.
7. Foreign Language Degrees
America has been termed as the melting pot with people from all areas of the world moving there. Not all these people know the common language- English. The police have the responsibility of maintaining social order, but the language seems like a barrier. When people cannot understand what is demanded of them, they are less likely to act on it. For those who work in the police force, knowing more than one language is a major advantage. It can be extremely helpful to maintain good relations with the public.
8. Computer Science
Technology has revolutionized the world. Criminals have become skilled at committing crimes using the Internet; cybercrime is on the rise. Law enforcers have to adapt too. All of this has made computer science an important field. People with a degree in computer science can help fight crime committed through social media and other online platforms. They can also use advanced methods to protect the computers systems of law enforcement agencies from being hacked. An undergraduate degree in computer science serves as a good starting point for your career. However, the increased demand for cybersecurity has made this an extremely competitive field.
Before deciding on the right degree for your law enforcement career, you should give yourself the task of conducting thorough research. If you pursue a degree that you are likely to enjoy, you will be motivated to work hard and even get further education to move up the career ladder.