Criminal Justice

Careers

Many of our instructors are former police officers, FBI agents, corrections experts and criminalists. Their practical knowledge enriches your learning so you get a crystal clear picture of what it’s really like to be in the criminal justice field.

Individuals in criminal justice earn good salaries and benefits. Examples of career opportunities with a Criminal Justice background:

Read stories of students who are succeeding in different Criminal Justice paths.

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Police Officer and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

  • Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.

  • Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.

  • Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.

  • Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.

  • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.

Median Salary: $114,051

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Corrections Officer

  • Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.

  • Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.

  • Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.

  • Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.

  • Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.

Median Salary: $89,160

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Juvenile and Adult Probation Officer

  • Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.

  • Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.

  • Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.

  • Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.

  • Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans

Median Salary: $103,916

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Emergency Services Dispatcher

  • Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.

  • Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.

  • Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.

  • Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.

  • Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.

Median Salary: $85,432

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Correctional Officers Supervisor

  • Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.

  • Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.

  • Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.

  • Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.

  • Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.

Median Salary: $102,824

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Lawyer: District Attorney or Criminal Defense

  • Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.

  • Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.

  • Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.

  • Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.

  • Represent clients in court or before government agencies.

Median Salary: $179,264

Ready to learn more and get started? Please contact Ginger Charles, (831) 477-5227 or gicharle@cabrillo.edu.