While police have the honorable task of keeping citizens safe and upholding the rule of law, the job also comes with certain risks. Routine contact with criminals exposes police officers to dangers not everyone is comfortable with. There are a variety of career options available for those who want to work in law enforcement and criminal justice but don't relish a career as a police officer.
Emergency dispatchers, sometimes called 911 operators, direct police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel to the scenes of emergencies. While many emergency dispatchers are hired with only a high school diploma or GED, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, reports that some departments prefer to hire candidates who have an associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field. As of 2011, emergency dispatchers in the United States brought home an average of $18.01 an hour and $37,460 per year.
Forensic science technicians work closely with police departments to solve crimes and apprehend perpetrators. Some comb crime scenes for clues such as fingerprints and genetic material, while others work primarily in a lab setting. While some forensic technicians begin as police officers, many do not. Forensic science jobs, especially in crime labs, typically require a bachelor's degree in forensic science or another natural science. As of 2011, this occupation offered an average salary of $55,660 per year, the BLS reports.
Probation and Parole Officers
Probation and parole officers monitor the behavior of criminal offenders both in and outside of prison. Entry-level jobs in this field usually require a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work or criminal justice. In addition to a degree, candidates for this occupation must usually pass an exam to be certified. According to the BLS, probation and parole officers earned an average of $52,110 a year as of May 2011. The average hourly rate reported was $25.05. These officers are not part of the police department in most jurisdictions, but rather, are responsible to the local courts.
Correctional officers, sometimes called prison guards or jailers, supervise inmates who have been convicted of a crime or are being held awaiting trial. Positions at local jails and state prisons often require that a candidate complete a program at a regional or local correctional officer training facility, while candidates for federal jobs must have at least a bachelor's degree. According to the BLS, local correctional officers average $42,020 per year, state officers average $44,230, and federal officers average $53,440.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2011 Wages for Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Forensic Science Technicians
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2011 Wages for Forensic Science Technicians
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2011 Wages for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
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