Posted: 3/31/2008 7:46:54 AM EDT
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Hi Fellas, I would like to start by saying that I appreciate what all you guys do to keep us safe. What I came here to ask the LEO hive mind is: What type of jobs are available in the Justice System for a Criminal Justice, Master in Criminal Justice, or a PHD in Criminal Justice type degrees? I am in my late 30’s and stuck behind a Computer screen ALL day in an office. I feel as though I can do a lot more to contribute to society other than taxes and I am at a crossroads and considering going back to school. The Information Technology field is bland and unrewarding. Don’t get me wrong; I am not complaining about the income its well above average and have provided me and the wife with a very comfortable living. But at the end of the day it is not fulfilling or interesting. What type of opportunities are available for a late 30’s or early 40’s Man changing careers? ( by the time Im finished getting a 4 to 8 year depending on the BS,MA or PHD in Criminal Justice.) With my technical skills, I have a desire to work in the Crime lab or other technical Forensics area. I am not opposed to Federal, County, or Departmental positions if they will have me. Any help is much appreciated. Edited to Add: I dont think Im cut out for Law Enforcement aspect of it; due to the chasing down tackling manhandling perps I see on COPS. 
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If you come to Northern California around the Bay Area then you will be making a starting salary of $72K-92k a year depending on the department. Southern CA starts off at $50K and this is for all of them. Not sure about Texas but I dont believe DPS pays even close to $72K a year. With OT you ll be $110K min your first year in Nor Cal. The process goes like this: Pre Post Test exam- to see if you are stupid Oral interview Physical test Polygraph Background - dirt on you Psychological test Then maybe hire if you pass all that. Law Enforcement is really hard to get in, but really easy to get out too. They will fire you for any stupid mistake while on Field Training. |
Yes I could probably; Im putting my feelers out; wanted to see if there was anyone here already in the know. any opinions welcome. The wife is in Professional School for a Doctorates in Pharmacy. She may be making more money than me when she gets out.  |
And last,,, but not least, with your education and ability I would think you could get a lot more pertinent information yourself...
Uh Oh 
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Can anyone confirm or Deny this? Is this BS? www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com/faqs/criminaljustice-salaries.php |
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Yeah the Feds are all true. As Federal Police you start off as GS5 or GS7 while Special Agents are GS9 levels. The pay is less but depending on where you are, you also get locality pay. Like FBI San Francisco gives 33% locality pay for their agents here while someone else in say Nebraska wouldnt be getting a high locality pay due to cost of living expenses being cheaper. You also get LEAP pay too which is an extra 25% of your pay tacked on already to your salary- OT included that is. Law Enforcement Availability Pay. Police depts generally pay better due to funding compared to Federal level. All depends what flavor you want. Check pays at these sites: Las Vegas Metro Police www.protectthecity.com No State income tax or Social Security tax San Francisco Police www.sfpdcareers.com July 1, 2008 25% increase in pay starts. $5000.00 lateral bonus Oakland Police www.opd.com Richmond CA police www.rpdjob1.com $3000.00 signing bonus, $6000.00 signing bonus for Lateral officers Santa Clara County CA Sheriff (Stanford University area and etc) www.gosheriff.com FBI www.fbi.gov US Customs and Border Protection www.cbp.gov You should get a good gauge of what the pay scale is by reading those websites. |
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15 years of experience in Law enforcement before forensics? Like paying your dues? I guess it would garner alot of resentment if some guy that never was a Police Officer, no experience in law enforcment or anything just waltzes in and becomes whatever? Would that even be possible in the real world? I researched online and alot of it is very foreign to me. Im not in the know about this field at all, some discriptions that appeal to me Ive never heard of like Criminologist, Criminalists, JD Mediator? Didnt even know they existed. |
"Forensics" is pretty broad. Are you talking about collecting evidence at the scene or testing evidence in a lab after it was collected by someone else? In many larger departments both of these duties are carried out by non-sworn personnel, so you may not have to meet the physical requirements of the LE folks. In any case, if you are easily frustrated by large backlogs, slow bureaucratic decision making that flies in the face of common sense, enough political correctness to make you question the future viability of the country, or watching some thug get back out on the street after months of testing evidence that a judge one day rules is inadmissible, then you'll want to pass. Whatever you do, DON'T get your ideas about the job from the damn TV! |
I hope that you wouldnt think that that I would give up a comfortable living to go to school on a whim or a fanasy idea like CSI? I would at LEAST go to night classes. After all Id hate to be a criminal to support my tuition. My descisions in life havent let me down just yet. Thank you for your concern. |
WOW.. sounds like any large corporations out there ... KBR\EXXON\SHELL Thank you Esq1118, Ross_LASD, tango59, Recon_by_Fire, brian4wd, Danger_Close, saj195, And most of all Garage: for all your input opinions and advice. I am going to go ahead and register for the Fall semester. Its only money and time; and after all its better than sitting at home watching the idiot box right? on another note History Channel, Nat Geo, A&E, Discovery, Military Channel, and a handful of others are the only things I watch on the Tube. I like to think im a smart idiot. 
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