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If you are interested in getting a law enforcement degree or law enforcement training program, you can attend an accredited college or university that offers law enforcement courses and law enforcement schooling programs. Some students choose to attend law enforcement academies that typically offer accelerated programs and hands-on training. A law enforcement academy or law enforcement school can provide intensive training for a successful career as a police officer, security guard, private bodyguard or corrections officer. Advanced law enforcement degree programs train students for careers as law officers, private investigators and criminal research analysts.
Programs Available at Law Enforcement Academies
Law enforcement academies may offer several types of programs for those interested in entry-level or managerial positions in the field of law enforcement. Law enforcement officials must have certain characteristics and personalities to be successful in the field. Law enforcement academies may offer certification, diploma and degree programs for students of various education levels.
Essential skills acquired at law enforcement academies include:
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Strong decision-making skills
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Responsibility
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Grace under pressure
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Teamwork skills
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Written and verbal communication skills
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Professionalism
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Maintaining a high moral character and code of conduct
Students attending law enforcement academies may need to have at least an associate's degree in the field before they can apply for admission. Law enforcement academies not only train students how to fire a gun and work with police dogs, but also learn how the criminal justice system works, what is involved when working within the prison systems, and how to rehabilitate and counsel prisoners. Law enforcement training programs can be very intensive and require students to gain advanced skills in solving crimes, learning how criminal minds work, and implementing various techniques and strategies in a crime scene setting.
Law Enforcement Training Programs
Law enforcement training programs are available in both online and offline formats and focus on several specialized areas, including:
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Criminal Investigations
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Jails and Court Security
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Death and Homicide
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Traffic and Vehicular
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Interview and Interrogation
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Crime Scene Protocol
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Drugs and Narcotics
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Terrorism Response
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Spanish Language
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Digital Forensics
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Legal and Liability Procedures
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School Violence and Liability
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Hostage Negotiation
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Fire Service
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Leadership
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Critical Incident
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Armorer and Specialty Training
Types of Law Enforcement Colleges
Law enforcement colleges and law enforcement schools train students to enter the field of law enforcement and learn essential procedures and knowledge about criminal law, death investigation, terrorism and threat assessment and offender treatment among other subjects. Law enforcement colleges and police science colleges and universities are scattered all across the country and students may choose to complete all or some of their degree online.
Law enforcement degree programs are available at the following types of schools and law enforcement colleges:
Types of Law Enforcement Courses
Some of the different types of law enforcement courses you can expect to take at a law enforcement school or law enforcement academy include:
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Criminal Justice
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Police Administration
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Police Management
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Criminal Investigation
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Police Report Writing
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First Aid and CPR
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Firearms
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Cultural Diversity
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Physical Fitness
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Crisis Control and Intervention
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Drugs and Narcotics Education
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Police Rights and Ethical Practices
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Public Safety
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Interviewing and Interrogating
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Criminal Procedures
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Crime Scene Investigation
Career Options with a Law Enforcement Degree
Individuals who complete a law enforcement degree program can explore a number of job opportunities and career paths. Those who specialize in a certain field may have more career options and be entitled to receive higher salaries. Some career options with a law enforcement degree include:
Those who have successfully completed law enforcement schooling and law enforcement training programs can obtain positions at local police departments, crime scene investigative firms, legal departments and correctional institutions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities at local police departments are expected to be favorable for qualified individuals but those who want to work for State and Federal agencies can expect some competition.
As of May 2008, the median annual wages of those with law enforcement degrees were as follows:
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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: $51,140
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Police and Detective Supervisors: $75,490
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Parking Enforcement Workers: $32,390
Federal employees who serve in law enforcement and special agents are paid on the LEAP pay schedule and earn grades based on the number of years of service.
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