Description
Book SynopsisPicking up where Exploring and Understanding Careers in Criminal Justice, left off, Matthew J. Sheridan and Thomas J. Lalka provide an updated guide for the novice and professional alike. The chapters are crafted to provide essential information to guide the job seeker from entrance into the profession, through career development, occupational refocus, professional options, to retirement preparation. Taking into consideration the effects of the pandemic, current social unrest, and recent tragedies, the authors examine how the “new normal” will bring change and opportunities throughout criminal justice careers. With an emphasis on planning, personal development, and preparation this book outlines career paths that can provide rewards for satisfaction during and after careers.
On top of invaluable information on a variety of specific careers, this book also includes sixteen appendices that cover successful job hunting, internships, a guide to interview questions, a document portfolio checklist, paying for college, and profiles of 18 professionals in criminal justice field from a parole officer to a correctional architect.
This is an excellent resource for students, faculty, advisors, and classroom instruction for guidance into a successful criminal justice career that will be loved, from first employment to retirement.
Table of ContentsPreface to the second edition
Preface to the first edition
Foreword by Judith A. Waters, Ph.D.
Acknowledgments
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
List of Appendices
Introduction: Why Another Book on Criminal Justice Careers
There Is So Much Information Available. Why Another Book?
Career Profiles
The Index
The Appendix
Bibliography of References and Suggested Readings
Chapter 1: Exploring Careers in Criminal Justice
A Brief Review of the Criminal Justice System
Careers and Professionals
The Criminal Justice Environment
The Courts
Law Enforcement
Corrections
Civilian versus Law Enforcement
The Road to Career Selection
College Courses
A Sample College Curriculum
Law Enforcement Curriculum
Corrections Curriculum
Four-Year Degree and University Study
Your Selection of College Courses and the Internship
Career Goals
Civilian and Law Enforcement Interaction
Summary
Chapter 2: Careers in Law Enforcement
Introduction
Job Postings for Law Enforcement Officers
The Application Process
Documentation: The Application Portfolio
References
The Interview
Pandemic and Post-Pandemic
Tests, Requirements, and Other Qualifications
Access to Academy Training
Education Requirements
Academy Training
Careers, Black Lives Matter, Excessive Force, and Political and Social Unrest
The Benefits of Law Enforcement
The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
Medical and Retirement Benefits for Law Enforcement
Multiculturalism in Law Enforcement
A Second Language
On the Job
A Note about the Military Police
Summary
Chapter 3: Careers in Corrections
Introduction
Institutional Corrections
Law Enforcement
Are They Guards or Correctional Officers?
Rising Through the Ranks
The Benefits of Correctional Employment
Correctional Officer Job Duties and Responsibilities
Internal Affairs
The Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff
Special Functions of the Sheriff’s Officers and/or Deputy Sheriffs
Parole and Probation Officers
Parole versus Probation
Parole Officers
Parole Training
The Work of Parole
Electronic Monitoring
Interstate Parole Contract
The Probation Officer
Requirements for a Probation Officer
Civilian Careers
Private Prisons and Community Corrections
Job Stress
Community Corrections
Chapter 4: The Courts, Its Actors, and Its Functions
Introduction
Attorneys
Judges
Sheriffs
Coroners
Forensic Scientists
Probation
Other Judiciary Staff
Summary
Chapter 5: The Federal Government
Introduction
The Federal Government Employment Search
Citizenship
Education Requirements
Age Requirements
Salaries
Background Checks
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
Orientation Training
Volunteer, Internships, Externships, Work-Study, and Summer Employment Programs
Summary
Chapter 6: Internships, Volunteering, Externships, and Part Time Employment
Introduction
COVID-19 – The New Wrinkle of the Academic Experience
Maximizing the Academic Experience
Freshman Year – Adjustment
Career Focus
The Professor and the Syllabus
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year – Pulling Out All the Stops for a Career
Eliminating Loose Ends for the Career Search
Summary – Begin Before the Degree is in Hand
Introduction to Internships
Goals
Internships
The Criminal Justice Virtual Internship
The Pros and Cons of the Virtual Internship
The Upside
The Downside
Pros and Cons Summary
The Virtual Intern
An Orientation to the Virtual Internship
What the Prospective Intern Needs to Know
Virtual Internship Training
The Internship Coordinator and the On-Site Mentor Relationship
On-Line Support and Feedback
Evaluation of the Virtual Internship Experience
Some Final Notes for the Virtual Internship
Internship Summary
A Resource for Virtual Internships
Volunteering
Externships
Part Time Work
Summary
Chapter 7: Getting the Job, Entering the Field, and Career Advancement
Introduction
Finding Job Openings
Reading the Job Posting
The Cover Letter
How Important Is Your Résumé?
Job Killers
Networking: The most valuable tool for your career
A Step-by-Step Networking Strategy for Career Development
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
Career Examples
Practical Suggestions
The Application
Prior Encounters with the Police
Your References
The Exam
The Interview
The Training Academy
Preparing for the Training Academy
First Days on the Job
Summary
Chapter 8: Criminal Justice Ethics
Introduction
The Slippery Slope of Criminal Justice
Typologies of Misconduct
The Consequences of Unethical Conduct
A Few Principles that Guide Correct and Ethical Decision-Making
Why Do Violations of Ethical Conduct Occur?
Resolving the Ethical Controversy
Corrections
Parole
Policing
The Court and the Pursuit of Justice
YOU: The Ethical Justice Professional
Chapter 9: Career Transitions in Criminal Justice
Introduction
Part A – Career Advancement
Part B – Career Changes
Career Changes and Moving Forward
The Awkward Departure
Leave Every Position Gracefully
The Letter of Resignation
Personal Evaluation
Summary to Part B
Part C – Career Crisis
Conflicts in Criminal Justice
Part D – Life After the Career – or Retirement
The Post Career Transition
The Failure to Plan
Retirement and the Twenty-Five Year Plan
Retirement Readiness
Summary
Chapter 10: Privatized Criminal Justice (Careers in the Private Sector)
Introduction - Employment opportunities
Educational Background
Introduction to Private Detectives, Corrections, Police, and Risk Management
Private Investigators or Detectives
Private Corrections
Private Police
Private Security
Risk Management
Job Responsibility, Education, and Credentialing
Certifications
A Profile of a Risk Management Professional
Lowe’s Asset Protection Agent
Appendix 1: Directory of Profiles in Criminal Justice
Appendix 2: Interest, Inquiry, and Cover Letters
Appendix 3: A Guide to Interview Questions
Appendix 4: Sample Résumé and CV
Appendix 5: The Career Fair
Appendix 6: The Benefits and Downsides of Online Courses
Appendix 7: Document Portfolio Checklist
Appendix 8: Civil Service Examinations
Appendix 9: U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and Websites
Appendix 10: Important Websites
Appendix 11: Criminal Justice Jobs
Appendix 12: Private and Nonprofit Agencies and Professional Organizations
Appendix 13: Vermont Police Academy Basic Training and Physical Fitness Training
Appendix 14: Paying for College
Appendix 15: Criminal Justice and Trade Publications
Appendix 16: Codes of Ethics
Glossary
