My dad was in Federal Probation. He made a good living with EXCELLENT benefits and retirement

Huntsville and Madison County are constantly hiring.

[quote=burbank]My son has always mentioned this as an area he is interested in and wants to pursue.

Besides the “don’t do it” answers, what are the hot areas? Any that pay more than others and/or offer a higher ceiling? He is going to go to school for a bachelors in criminal justice this fall. And for my fans on the football forum…he is likely going to Bama
Nate Oates might have an opening.

That is a great job, but he needs to know it requires a Masters degree.

The Troopers get a ton of applications from people already with LE experience so it would be tough to do straight out of college.

I know one guy, he’s kinda adopted by a good friend. Good kid that went thru national guard and graduated with some sort of criminal justice degree. He’s a Memphis PD and loves it. I know it’s a tough profession. Like mentioned I know a retired federal probation officer. Never in a million years would I think this guy would be. He’s so mild mannered yet that dude is bad to the bone I’m told. He’s always carrying at a minimum 2 pistols. He’s dealt with some bad guys.

One area that is gaining because of national attention to mental illness. They get more pay for being a community mental health officer
Lots of federal funding along with state initiatives should be a growing asset and a good direction.

I remember talking to an FBI guy that handled child porn. I can’t imagine doing that job.

There’s lots of FBI in Huntsville now so angling in that direction would be another good direction.

That could be new, my dad didn’t have a masters nor does the current Chief for the Northern District of Florida.

A supervising agent called me and wanted me to work for him because he knew me and after we looked into it I would have had to have a Masters which i didn't have at the time. They did offer me a Clerks job while I got my Masters at South but that job wouldn't pay for me to move to Mobile. By the time I decided to go back and get my Masters I was too old for federal LE. You have to start before you are 35.

Does he want to stay in AL? I retired in 2018 as the Petersburg Borough (Alaska) Chief of Police and Chairman of the Alaska Police Standards Council, and work for a federal agency now. I graduated from the FBI National Academy, #258. Alaska agencies, in rural areas are well paid, trained and equipped. And, the adventures are irreplaceable.

Alaska State Troopers currently start recruits w/ bachelor degrees at $41.21 per hour, and that climbs quickly.
Anchorage PD is starting at $38.11 / hr.

Many agencies will be in that range and offer signing bonuses and moving allowances. I know senior officers who make well over $100k. All offer shift differential and other incentive pay. Most have take home vehicles, troopers may assign airplanes, boats, snowmachines, ATVs, etc...

Federal agencies have similar pay rates and retirement benefits, other than health insurance. Work 25 in AK and you and your spouse's health insurance is covered premium free for life.

One more caveat, federal agencies offer a great job, but most aren't doing real police work. State and local agencies are the tip of the spear. Reach out if you have any AK questions.

I know a woman that got a criminal justice degree from AUM. Sahe became a prison guard and eventually went to work for the Federal Prison system in DC.

The criminal justice degree is a bad idea...not needed for law enforcement but pretty much pigeon holes him into staying in that field with that degree...better off with a business or general type that would allow him to do other things if 5 years down the road he realizes what a crap job it is...going through the same with my son right now...if he insists, the troopers are his best bet locally

I would recommend researching some agencies/organizations he is interested in and review job postings. There may be other degrees more sought after than Criminal Justice. Someone has already mentioned cyber; finance and accounting are also great for the career field.

Definitely Consider other states. Non certified down in Pembroke Pines in S FL starts at about $67k with a $5k bonus and $5k relocation 4 day work week. Good benefits and 20 year retirement. Probably make 6 figures with off duty in a few years. Or work a few years to get experience and go federal or elsewhere.

If he's going to stay in the US then he needs to start taking Spanish.

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If I was a young man I would definitely look into this. What a beautiful state to work and play in! Thank you for your service.