4.3 Levels of Policing and Role of Police
Tiffany Morey and Franklyn Scott
Section Learning Objectives
After reading this section, students will be able to:
- Understand the various options for careers in the policing and law enforcement arena
- Discuss educational requirements for law enforcement positions at the federal, state, county, and local levels
- Explain what a state police officer’s main objectives are
- Describe the difference between sworn and civilian roles
- List several divisions that a sworn officer can be promoted to
- List several departments in which a civilian can work within a law enforcement agency
- Discuss how different police departments work with each other
Critical Thinking Questions
- What education does a candidate need for jobs in federal law enforcement?
- What education does a candidate generally need for city or county jobs as a police officer?
- Is there a difference between a person who is considered commissioned and a person who is considered a civilian?
- Does every law enforcement agency have the same opportunities for advancement?
- Why do different police departments work together?
Policing Types
It is an exciting time for those entering the law enforcement field. All too often, candidates only think of local police departments, i.e., city or county agencies, while the options available are genuinely multi-faceted. Whether one is looking for a “typical” police officer career, criminal forensics, or environmental law enforcement, the options are diverse. While the below list is not exhaustive, it does give a detailed look at the array of careers one could have in policing or law enforcement.
Federal Level: The federal arena for law enforcement careers is vast. The options are almost endless, and many would argue that the rewards of a federal law enforcement career are superior to those offered at the local level. However, there is a catch—namely, education and experience requirements. Most law enforcement-related careers in the federal arena require a bachelor’s degree, at a minimum, plus several years of related full-time work experience before applying.
Candidates interested in working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a special agent, for example, are looking at the following educational requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in either accounting, computer science / information technology, or foreign language (only a criminal justice major if the candidate is planning on working full-time for a law enforcement agency for at least three years before applying),
- OR a JD degree from an accredited law school,
- OR a diversified bachelor’s degree AND three years of professional experience, OR a master’s degree, or Ph.D. along with two years of professional experience.
Federal job possibilities (the list is not comprehensive)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Secret Service
- Central Intel