This position in law enforcement deals with keeping the peace within
society. The main jobs of the uniformed officer are to do the following:
The
majority of a uniformed officer's time is not as exciting as cop shows
may make it appear. From filing paperwork and directing traffic to
investigating small crimes and even responding to accidents, the daily
job of a uniformed officer can vary and not always provide the thrills
you may expect.
However, uniformed officers are a valuable asset to their community.
Community policing is an aspect of the job that is rarely highlighted,
but it is important because it involves building trust and developing
personal relationships with the citizens within their jurisdiction.
Sheriffs and Sheriff Deputies
The job of these criminal justice professionals is to enforce county
laws. The sheriff of a county is usually elected; in some cases, he or
she may be appointed by the governing authority. This is why this law
enforcement position is generally considered a highly political
position.
The sheriff is not a field position. Instead, he or she is tasked
with supervising the county police department, which includes sheriff
deputies, clerks, etc. The sheriff deputies are the ones out and about
patrolling county roads and investigating crimes that are within the
county's jurisdiction.
Special Investigators
Television shows usually depict this particular law enforcement
position as the "plain-clothes cop." Special investigators, also
referred to as police detectives, generally attain this position after
working as a uniformed officer for several years and moving up the
ranks.
The special investigators responsibilities include the following:
- Interviewing witnesses
- Collecting evidence at the scene of the crime
- Investigating leads that are relevant to cases assigned
Most special investigators only work on a few cases at a time.
This lightened workload allows them the necessary time and space to
thoroughly investigate the case and see it through all the way to a
conviction. Special investigators are subpoenaed to testify in court.
Sworn Law Enforcement Officers
Individuals referred to as sworn law enforcement officers may not
work the streets or actively pursue the arrest of a suspect, but they
have taken an oath to abide by California's criminal code and the United
States Constitution. These men and women are given the authority to
carry police- or agency-issued firearms and they have the authority to
make arrests.
Federal Law Enforcement
Some individuals are less interested in policing on the local level
and opt to join federal law enforcement agencies. Agencies that fall
under federal jurisdiction include the following:
- United States Marshals' Service
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
These jobs have various educational, physical, and security
clearance requirements. Most individuals that pursue this line of law
enforcement work start from the bottom and make their way through the
ranks. Being a uniformed police officer with a local precinct is not a
requirement.
As you can see, there are many different paths to a successful law enforcement career. Before you turn in your
LAPD application, take your time to learn as much as you can about all the opportunities.