LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
Law enforcement services includes workers who protect the lives and property of community members, including, controlling traffic, preventing and investigating crimes, enforcing laws and ordinances, and apprehending, arresting and processing suspected criminals.
CAREER DETAILS
Description:
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Tasks:
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
*Additional tasks may be needed for this career.
Average Salary:
$35,480 – $113,830
Description:
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Tasks:
- 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.
*Additional tasks may be needed for this career.
Average Salary:
$36,660 – $80,190
Description:
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Tasks:
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner’s arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
*Additional tasks may be needed for this career.
Average Salary:
$48,690 – $149,750
VIRGINIA WIZARD
Learn more about the careers above and others in this sector by visiting the Virginia Education Wizard.