If you’re considering pursuing a career in policing, you can take many different paths. You may be interested in becoming an expert in forensic science, for example – or perhaps working as a victim advocate is more suited to you.
The policing profession
As the backbone of law enforcement, police officers are responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law. They ensure that people’s rights are protected, investigate crimes, take necessary action to protect people from harm, and keep communities safe.
Police officers can specialize in many different areas – from cybercrimes to traffic enforcement – and their responsibilities vary depending on which specialty they choose.
Why get a bachelor’s in policing?
The future of law enforcement is changing. Police officers are expected to be highly trained, well-educated professionals. They must be able to solve problems and make decisions under pressure. They also need to communicate effectively with the people they serve.
A bachelor’s degree in policing like the one from Laurier is designed to give students the background needed for a police and law enforcement career. It allows students to study criminal justice topics such as community policing, crime prevention and victim assistance. Students will also learn about human behavior and criminal psychology. In addition, they can choose from a wide variety of courses that focus on specific areas within the field of policing, such as investigations, traffic safety or juvenile justice.
A bachelor’s degree in policing can prepare you for a career as a police officer or detective in local government agencies or state agencies such as highway patrol or corrections departments. It can also provide an excellent foundation for graduate study at the master’s level and beyond.
Important skills you gain from a bachelor’s in policing
A bachelor’s degree in policing is a good way to achieve more in your career. It can help you get promoted faster, earn more money, and gain valuable skills that will make you a better officer.
Better use of technology
Police officers need to be able to use technology for everything from writing reports to managing evidence. A bachelor’s degree in policing will give you the skills to use the latest technologies, including computers, mobile devices and apps. This type of education also teaches you how to analyze information quickly and efficiently. This can help you identify threats and solve crimes more easily.
Stronger communication skills
One of the most important skills that police officers need is strong communication. If a situation gets out of hand or someone becomes unruly, then it’s up to the officer to calm down both parties and resolve the issue peacefully. A bachelor’s degree in policing will teach you how to speak clearly and effectively so that everyone understands what’s happening at all times. This training can also help you communicate with people who are not fluent in English so that they understand what is going on.
Conflict resolution
Law enforcement officers spend much of their time resolving conflicts between people. They must be able to communicate with people from all walks of life and resolve problems without violence.
Teamwork and leadership skills
Policing is a team sport. Officers must work well together and lead by example when necessary. They also need strong interpersonal skills to lead teams effectively through difficult situations.
Critical and analytical thinking
The ability to think critically is essential for success in any career field. It helps you understand issues and problems from different perspectives, which leads to more solutions. Critical thinking also involves evaluating evidence and differentiating between facts and opinions.
Analytical thinking requires you to use logic and reason when analyzing data or information, rather than relying solely on intuition or emotion. This type of problem-solving skill is especially important when it comes to law enforcement because officers must make quick decisions while under pressure.
What can you do with a bachelor’s in policing?
If you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in policing, you’ll be able to work in a wide range of careers that require law enforcement skills, including the following.
Police sergeant
The second most common rank in police work – after a patrol officer – is a sergeant. Sergeants are responsible for supervising the officers under their command, ensuring that they’re doing their jobs properly and acting according to department policy. This can include monitoring arrests, interviewing suspects and witnesses, investigating crimes, conducting searches and arrests at crime scenes, and writing citations or summonses when appropriate.
Sergeants may also be assigned to administrative duties such as:
- Supervising an entire station or precinct.
- Overseeing operations at a jail facility.
- Directing investigations into internal affairs cases (such as alleged misconduct by other police officers).
- Managing programs aimed at reducing crime within the community.
- Serving on boards of directors for non-profit organizations.
- Working with other agencies, such as fire departments, on joint projects.
Other potential duties include testifying in court cases involving criminal defendants or civil suits brought against law enforcement agencies by citizens claiming wrongful arrest/detention (or similar actions).
Police officer
A police officer is a public servant who works for the local, state or federal government. As a police officer, you will be responsible for protecting and serving your community by enforcing laws and investigating crimes. Officers have various responsibilities, including patrolling their designated areas on foot or in patrol cars, responding to calls about suspicious activity, conducting investigations at crime scenes and collecting evidence.
Aspiring officers must complete at least 90 credit hours of college coursework before being accepted into an academy program. In addition to coursework, applicants must also pass physical fitness tests, psychological exams, background checks and drug tests before they can begin their training programs.
Additional education may help advance career prospects within law enforcement agencies. Some officers choose to earn master’s degrees after completing bachelor’s degrees in policing as it allows them greater flexibility when applying for new positions within their departments or other areas of law enforcement work, such as forensic science or forensics technology.
Detective
Detectives investigate and solve crimes, often working with other police officers and law enforcement agencies. To be a detective, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in something related to criminology or criminal justice so that you can understand what is going on with the law and establish relationships with other people who work in similar fields. After all, it’s better for everyone if everyone knows what they’re doing.
When solving a crime as a detective, you must use your creativity and critical thinking skills because there may be many different factors involved in each case. Detectives must also be able to work well under pressure as there is always plenty going on around them when they’re investigating a case – they don’t have time for mistakes.
Probation officer
Probation officers are tasked with ensuring that those convicted of crimes meet the terms of their probation. This includes checking in on them, conducting drug tests, and ensuring that they’re employed or in school. Probation officers will also help ensure that the offender is undergoing treatment for any mental health issues that could pose a risk to society.
A bachelor’s degree in policing gives you a solid foundation for this career path because it teaches you how to use your training as a police officer in other ways, including working with juvenile offenders. A criminal justice degree is also beneficial because it provides an understanding of the legal system and how criminal cases are handled from start to finish.
The education requirements for becoming a probation officer vary by state, but usually include at least 60 hours beyond high school graduation. Some states require more than 100 hours’ worth of coursework above high school graduation level courses.
Deputy chief of police
The deputy chief of police is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the police department. The deputy chief reports directly to the chief of police and is second in command. In most cases, the deputy chief serves as acting chief in the absence or on the vacation of their superior officer (the chief).
Intelligence analyst
FBI and CIA intelligence analysts are the people who analyze intelligence data and provide recommendations to their superiors. These analysts must have a thorough understanding of criminal justice issues and be able to draw conclusions from the data they analyze.
Intelligence analysts may work for various agencies, including law enforcement organizations such as the FBI or CIA. They may also work for private companies that provide security services for businesses or governments. An intelligence analyst’s job description varies depending on their employer’s needs, but they usually perform some similar tasks:
- They research specific topics, such as crime or terrorism trends, or general issues, such as economic stability or population changes.
- They gather information from open sources such as newspapers, magazines and television broadcasts.
- They collect classified information from various sources (e.g., military intelligence reports).
- They analyze this information to help determine how it affects national security issues or other interests of their employer (e.g., predicting when a terrorist attack might occur).
Victim advocate
Victim advocates are social workers who help victims and their families during the criminal justice process. They work with law enforcement, courts, probation officers and corrections facilities to ensure that victims receive the necessary services. A bachelor’s degree in policing would be a good place to start if you want this kind of career.
Mediator
As a mediator, you can help people resolve conflicts. You will be trained to listen to both sides and then come up with a solution that is acceptable to both parties. Mediators must be neutral, meaning that they do not take any side in the dispute or give their opinion. This makes mediation ideal in cases where there are disagreements between two parties on how something should be done – for example, in divorce proceedings or business disputes.
Immigration officer
While most people think of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they hear the term ‘immigration officer’, many other agencies also hire these professionals. For example, the Department of Homeland Security employs both ICE officers and Border Patrol agents who work for US Customs and Border Protection. These jobs are challenging but rewarding because you’ll have the chance to help keep our country safe by enforcing its immigration laws. You could be stationed at an airport or seaport, where you’ll interview people applying for visas or asylum. You may also be called upon to patrol our borders to stop illegal border crossings.
Security manager
A bachelor’s degree in policing may be a perfect choice if you are interested in public safety. Once you graduate, you can pursue a career as a security manager. Security managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of security at their organization. They ensure that all policies and procedures are followed correctly and consistently and that employees are properly trained and equipped to perform their jobs correctly. This may be the right path for you if you enjoy being hands-on with your work.
Private investigator
Private investigators work as independent contractors and provide investigative services to individuals or organizations that need help solving problems such as fraud, theft and infidelity issues. Attorneys may also hire them to gather evidence for civil cases such as divorce proceedings, personal injury claims and criminal defense cases.
Conclusion
A bachelor’s degree in policing can be an important steppingstone to a career as a police officer. Advanced learning will provide you with a well-rounded education that includes classes on the history and philosophy of law enforcement, criminal justice theory, social science, psychology, and more.
You’ll also get practical training in criminal investigation, forensics and criminology. You’ll learn how to use technology to solve crimes and gather evidence, and you’ll learn how to analyze data to help make better decisions.
When it comes time for you to apply for an entry-level position as a police officer, having a bachelor’s degree in policing can give you an edge over other applicants.
