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Is A Criminal Justice Career For You?

 

Police and corrections occupations are considered helping professions. Employment in these occupations can be very satisfying if you have a special commitment to helping others. Most people believe a criminal justice career to be much the same as what is portrayed on television or the movies. It isn’t. For example, about 80% of police work is spent with service calls such as family disputes, barking dogs, issues of homeless people, and emergency medical services, to name a few. Less than 20% of police work is spent with actual law enforcement activities. Today’s criminal justice practitioners have been called part-time attorneys, scientists, social workers, psychologists, teachers, and full-time heroes to replace drug dealers.

What do criminal justice agencies look for in new employees? The following skills are considered essential:

bulletWell-developed verbal and written communication
bulletExcellent critical thinking and decision-making
bulletHighly developed ethical and moral standards
bulletAble to analyze complex problems
bulletPhysically fit

In addition, maturity is an important factor for criminal justice professionals.  Recent studies have found that nearly 20%* of the officers referred to counseling were young, inexperienced and immature.  They were described as hot-dogs, badge-happy, macho, or immature.  These people tie up a lot of valuable department resources because they need strong supervision and highly structured field training. (*L&O Magazine, August 2001)

 

Twelve Traits of Effective Criminal Justice Professionals
(based on materials developed by Ed Nowicki)

        1.   Enthusiasm
                -believe in what you're doing
                -don't accept a task, embrace it

        2.   Good Communication Skills
                -talk well,  superior listening skills
                -ability to interpret body language
                -interact well with people from all cultures and socioeconomic status
                -excellent writing skills (grammar, spelling, etc.)

        3.   Good Judgment
                -make good decisions based on pros and cons of the situation
                -"common sense"

        4.   Humor
                -ability to laugh and smile to relieve pain and suffering
                -know when it's appropriate and inappropriate

        5.   Creativity
                -problem solving ability
                -recognize that many times there is more than one way to accomplish a task

        6.   Motivation
                -make things happen
                -don't wait to be told to do something
                -initiative

        7.   Know the Job and the System
                -understand your role and duties

        8.   Ego
                -self-confidence
                -believe in yourself

        9.   Courage
                -clear thinking in high stress situations
                -admit when you're wrong, face your weaknesses
                -stand up for what is right, even if it's easier to do nothing
                -make ethical decisions

        10.   Understand Discretion
                -spirit of the law versus letter of the law
                -have empathy - have you 'walked a mile in their shoes?'
                -look at the big picture, what are you trying to accomplish?

        11.   Tenacity
                -stay focused on your goals until you achieve them
                -see "challenges" not "obstacles"

        12.   Don't Ever Stop Learning
                -stay current
                -attend training both on and off the job
                -understand that when you know all the answers, the questions will change