What They Do:
People depend on police officers and
detectives to protect their lives and property. Law enforcement
officers perform these duties in a variety of ways, depending on
the size and type of their organization. In most jurisdictions,
they are expected to exercise authority when necessary, whether
on or off duty.
Uniformed police officers who work in
municipal police departments of various sizes, small
communities, and rural areas have general law enforcement duties
including maintaining regular patrols and responding for calls
for service. They may direct traffic at the scene of a fire,
investigate a burglary, or give first aid to an accident victim.
In large police departments, officers usually are assigned to a
specific type of duty. Many urban police agencies are becoming
more involved community policing - a practice in which an
officer builds relationships with the citizens of local
neighborhoods and mobilizes the public to help fight crime.
What They Earn:
The average starting salary for law
enforcement officers who work in Michigan, generally depends on
the size of the department where the offices works. However, the
average starting salary is $25,000 to $28,000 annually. Officers
in supervisory positions earn an average of $41,000 annually,
while Federal employees may earn a significant amount more, due
to experience, overtime and availability pay.
How
Many Jobs Available:
The job outlook in this field is
highly competitive, yet employment rates are still expected to
increase about as fast as average throughout the year 2006.
Early retirement and high crime rates will continue to insure
that this field is in high demand.
How Much Schooling,
Training, or Skill Development:
A person desiring to become a
corrections officer in Michigan must be 18 years of age, have no
felony, drug or domestic abuse convictions of any kind. In
Michigan, an officer can become employed if he/she has a
15-credit corrections vocational certificate or 15 semester
credits in the fields of criminal justice, psychology, sociology
or human services. Federal agencies are now requiring a college
degree, and most Police Departments are now encouraging a
Bachelor?s or Associate?s degree.
Related
Occupations:
Probation and Parole, Juvenile
Caseworker, Law Enforcement and Security
