| When looking into positions in law enforcement | | | | of $38,000. With five years on the force, the |
| and security, you will probably find that there are | | | | median salary rises to $44,000. |
| more options out there than you believed. Some | | | | Corrections Officer |
| of these career options require less training or | | | | Nearly as demanding as working as a Police |
| more, of course, or have higher or lower pay | | | | Officer is a career as Corrections officer. Like |
| rates, and they all have their own set of | | | | Police Officers, Corrections Officers must go |
| advantages and disadvantages. Here, you'll find an | | | | through a series of tests and examinations to |
| overview of three law enforcement-related | | | | determine if they are fit for that particular career. |
| careers: Police Officer, Corrections Officer, and | | | | While not as rigorous as the Police Officer |
| Security Officer. | | | | application process, the Corrections Officer |
| Police Officer | | | | application process includes many of the same |
| Of the three law enforcement careers discussed | | | | elements, such as a written examination, a health |
| here, working as a Police Officer is generally the | | | | screening, and a background check. |
| most demanding, as it requires extensive training | | | | Though salaries in the Corrections field can go up |
| and an ability to deal with tense and | | | | past $70,000 annually (Supervisors/Managers), |
| life-threatening situations. Unlike in the security and | | | | most Corrections Officers earn less than a police |
| corrections sectors, Police Officers work | | | | officer. The median salary for a Corrections |
| throughout the city, adding an extra level of risk | | | | Officer or Jailer is $33,600 (2004). |
| to the position. | | | | Security Officer |
| Because of this, the recruitment process for new | | | | Unlike Police or Corrections Officers, Security |
| Police Officers in most U.S. cities is long and | | | | Officers or Guards generally work in the private |
| extensive. In L.A., for example, the recruitment | | | | sector for institutions such as banks and casinos, |
| process involves 12 steps, including background | | | | or in the public sector in public buildings, |
| reviews, polygraphs, and psychological, mental, | | | | laboratories, etc. The responsibilities of a Security |
| and physical evaluations. After the applications and | | | | Officer vary greatly, as does the pay rate. A |
| recruitment process has completed, candidates | | | | Security Officer's responsibilities range from patrol |
| are generally offered a recruitment training | | | | and inspection of people and property, to theft |
| program, which takes place before true recruit | | | | and fire prevention, to interviewing witnesses. |
| training. | | | | Unfortunately, as work as a Security Officer |
| Though Police Officers go through the most | | | | requires less training than other law enforcement |
| rigorous examinations and training, there are some | | | | careers, the pay is also lower. Security Officers |
| definite benefits to this career in comparison with | | | | earn a median salary of $22,900 annually. |
| other law enforcement careers. For one, the pay | | | | However, for those working in the private sector |
| is generally higher. New Police Officers (with 1-4 | | | | as Personal Security Specialists, that amount can |
| years on the police force) make a median salary | | | | go up to $36,000. |