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Careers in Law Enforcement
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Careers in Law Enforcement

  • Coy H. Johnston - Arizona State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice


April 2016 | 272 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Careers in Law Enforcement is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the criminal justice field, specifically in policing. Written in a concise and conversational tone, author Coy H. Johnston includes three main sections: planning a realistic path, selecting an appropriate career path in law enforcement, and preparing for the hiring process. The first chapter offers students a unique opportunity to take a personality/career test to help them discover the types of jobs that might be a good fit. Consequently, students will set sensible goals at the beginning of their degree program and seek appropriate internships and volunteer opportunities. This text is a helpful resource students will be able to peruse repeatedly when they are ready to start the process of applying for jobs within law enforcement.

 
Section 1 – Planning
 
Chapter 1 - Know Yourself
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

 
What You Don’t Know

 
Self Assessments

 
What Color is Your Parachute?

 
Keirsey Temperament Sorter

 
True Colors

 
What Type Am I?

 
The Four Temperaments

 
What Color is Your Personality?

 
HumanMetrics

 
GAcollege411

 
 
Chapter 2 - Setting Realistic Goal
Setting Realistic Goals

 
Issues with Police Work

 
The Use of Deception

 
The Role of Acting in Police Work

 
The Use of Discretion

 
The Use of Force

 
The Polygraph Test

 
Interviewing and Interrogating

 
The Internal Investigations

 
Investigations

 
Interviewing and Interrogation

 
Report Writing

 
Court Testimony

 
Dangers and Stress

 
The Realities of Working in Criminal Justice

 
Change

 
The Search for Happiness

 
 
Section 2 - Pursuing
 
Chapter 3 – Local and State Law Enforcement
Local Law Enforcement

 
Game and Fish Warden

 
Gaming Officer

 
Campus Police

 
Hospital Police

 
Reserves

 
Diversity Issues

 
 
Chapter 4 – Crime Lab
Crime Scene Technician

 
Forensic Scientist

 
Medical Examiner

 
Investigative Technician

 
Criminalist – DNA Analyst

 
Criminalist – Toxicologist

 
Forensic Nurse Examiner

 
Forensic Psychiatrist Specialist

 
Forensic Interviewer

 
Forensic Entomologist

 
Diversity in Forensic Jobs

 
 
Chapter 5 – Victim Services
Victim Advocate and Related Positions

 
Diversity in Victim Services

 
 
Chapter 6 – Other Non-Sworn Positions
Crime Analyst

 
Communications

 
Police Aide

 
Records

 
Property/Evidence

 
Supplies/Equipment/Fleet Management

 
Animal Control

 
Crime Prevention/Community Outreach

 
Information Technology

 
Intelligence Analyst

 
Parking Enforcement

 
Public Information

 
 
Chapter 7 – Detention officer/Jailer
Local Jails

 
County Jails

 
Corrections

 
 
Chapter 8 – Federal Law Enforcement
FBI

 
DEA

 
ATF

 
Border Patrol

 
ICE

 
U.S. Secret Service

 
U.S. Marshals

 
TSA

 
Non-Sworn Positions

 
Diversity in Federal Law Enforcement

 
Experience

 
 
Chapter 9 – Private Security and Investigations
Security Officer

 
Private Investigators

 
Loss Prevention

 
Armed Security Guard

 
Diversity Issues in Private Security

 
 
Section 3 - Preparing
 
Chapter 10 – Getting a Foot in the Door
Portfolios

 
Letters of Recommendation

 
Certificates

 
Volunteer Service

 
Education Documentation

 
Vita/Resume

 
Interview Preparation

 
Police Ride-a-Long

 
Firearms

 
Physical Fitness

 
Volunteering vs. Internships

 
Education/Grades

 
The Application

 
Written Tests

 
Psychological Test

 
 
Chapter – 11 – The Interview
Punctuality

 
Appearance

 
Body Language

 
Introductions

 
Sample Questions

 
Dos and Don’ts

 
A Note to Females

 
Personal Note to Minorities, Females, Gays, and Lesbians

 

Supplements

Student Study Site
Use the Student Study Site to get the most out of your course! Our Student Study Site is completely open-access and offers a wide range of additional features!

The open-access Student Study Site includes the following:
  • Psychology profile test
  • Career videos that focus on a variety of professions in the criminal justice field

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 10

Chapter 11


For instructors

Purchasing options

Please select a format:

ISBN: 9781483379067
£33.99