Outlook For Criminal Justice Majors: Police Officers And Detectives
Okay let’s get this started. With the economy the way it is, it’s tough finding jobs out there, however, being a criminal justice major might give you an advantage. It seems that most jobs in the criminal justice field are in demand right now. Matter of fact, one of the fastest growing careers is Forensic Science Technicians. Is it because of CSI, or is it because the insturments and labs used, are becoming cheaper for most departments to fund? Who knows, but hey, it’s a great job either way.
So, how good is it out there you ask? Well, let’s take a look. According to the United State Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 edition, police and detectives held about 861,000 jobs in 2006. Seventy-nine percent were employed by local governments. State police agencies employed about 11 percent, and various Federal agencies employed about 7 percent. A small proportion worked for educational services, rail transportation, and contract investigation and security services.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, police and detectives employed by local governments primarily worked in cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants. Some cities have very large police forces, while thousands of small communities employ fewer than 25 officers each. 
Job opportunities in most local police departments will be excellent for qualified individuals, while competition is expected for jobs in State and Federal agencies. Average employment growth is expected. Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 11 percent over the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as average for all occupations.
Overall opportunities in local police departments will be excellent for individuals who meet the psychological, personal, and physical qualifications. In addition to openings from employment growth, many openings will be created by the need to replace workers who retire and those who leave local agencies for Federal jobs and private sector security jobs. There will be more competition for jobs in Federal and State law enforcement agencies than for jobs in local agencies. Less competition for jobs will occur in departments that offer relatively low salaries or those in urban communities where the crime rate is relatively high. Applicants with military experience or college training in police science will have the best opportunities in local and State departments. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree and several years of law enforcement or military experience, especially investigative experience, will have the best opportunities in Federal agencies.
