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According to the National Center for Women and Policing, women in law enforcement constitute about 15 % of the workforce. While there are many interesting avenues in law enforcement and criminal justice, not many women are aware of the requirements and whether they would suit the bill. Check out more on law enforcement careers for women and how you can go about looking for one.
Law enforcement career
While traditionally it was viewed that women are not suited for law enforcement jobs, it has been seen in recent decades that women in such careers can play a vital role in law enforcement. Women police officers might be particularly effective in sensitive cases such as child molestation or sexual assault. Other than policing jobs, women with professional and educational backgrounds in criminology, criminal justice, social work or other liberal arts can look for career options in criminal justice wings.
Career opportunities
The FBI offers law enforcement careers for women in roles as diverse as linguists to FBI special agents. In this age of terrorism and foreign counterintelligence, exceptional foreign language skills can land you with an exciting career opportunity. With the necessary qualifications and skills, you can be considered for working on matters such as cyber crime, white collar crime, financial crime and fugitive and drug-trafficking issues.
Secret service jobs can involve careers with the technical, administrative or training wings. Special agents are assigned to cases of importance such as protection of the President, Vice President, former Presidents and their families as well of heads of foreign states visiting America. Security for the White House, Treasury Building also comes within this. Police jobs encompass careers with city police, state police or the federal police. Local law enforcement jobs include those of Corrections officer, Fire department and opportunities with the Sheriff department. Federal jobs can be sought in the following agencies:
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Defense
- Department of Justice
- Department of the Treasury
- U.S Postal Service
- Department of Commerce
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Internal Revenue Service
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- United States Customs Service
- Immigration and Naturalization Service
Securing law enforcement jobs
You can look out for law enforcement jobs by keeping on the watch for police recruiting efforts. Local newspapers are a good sourcing spot. Check out online services that post openings for law enforcement jobs. The recruitment process for law enforcement jobs involves written test and physical agility test. Background investigation is done on probable recruits. Finally there is an interview that tests how you handle pressure and attempts to look at your attitudes. Women looking for law enforcement jobs are expected to meet the same physical, academic and psychological standards as those of their male counterparts.
Women in law enforcement
Evidence reveals that women police officers tend to be more effective when it comes to dealing with potentially violent situations. It has been noticed that women who have had a law enforcement official in their family are more likely to consider a career in law enforcement. While some women tend to prefer administrative assignments, others thrive on the thrill of patrolling, criminal tracking, investigative work and policing. There are instances when women have faced discrimination, harassment and intimidation by coworkers and others at work.
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