by Karen Moore

Created on: January 18, 2009   Last Updated: March 17, 2009

Even during downward economic times people still fight, have accidents and steal your belongings. Those of us in the criminal justice field have joked half-heartedly for years that we will always have job security because there will always be the need for criminal justice professionals. This reality should seriously be considered by anyone looking to get into the criminal justice field.

It is a sad fact that the person who cuts your hair is required by law to have more training hours than your local police officer, but having an education supporting your goal of getting into the criminal justice field can only help you. Getting my degree in criminal justice gave me an edge during the lengthy initial testing process. Once in the door that degree helped through promotional testing and gave me an added advantage upon retirement.

Over 20 years in law enforcement I witnessed calls for service more than quadruple. When people are having a tough time financially the ripple can be felt in the criminal justice field. Poor choices and bad decisions compound life stressors, which often require intervention through the criminal justice field. Crime rates often go up when unemployment rises. Drugs and alcohol often become releases for those who find themselves facing hard times. And life still happens where the services of those in criminal justice are always needed.

Having a working knowledge of the field and of people will allow you to take advantage of other resources during your career, give you added clout in the court room (which is a big plus for law enforcement) and guide you in educating those you work with who gain their knowledge of the system from television. A degree complements your basic skills and allows you to have valuable insight into more of what is often needed rather than "just the facts."

History has a tendency of repeating itself. The big push during the Clinton era to hire more police officers touched every aspect of the criminal justice field and many of the officers hired are over half way to retirement (if they are still working). The short career of 20 years in law enforcement opens doors for many who are needed to replace retiring officers. Turnover rates in criminal justice are also high as lawyers in prosecution and/or defense fields move into private practice or are promoted to a judges position, correction and law enforcement officers face burnout and new positions are created when national security is threatened.

Job security is one benefit of getting a degree in criminal justice. Not only will that degree help you land your first career choice, but it will assist you in transitioning into your second career. Have you ever heard of any agency involved in criminal justice laying off their employees? Neither have I.

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