July 12, 2022

Top 3 Non-Uniformed Careers in Law Enforcement

Which One Is Right for Me?

Are you interested in the fulfilling field of law enforcement and standing out in the applicant pool? SUNY Empire’s Bachelor of Science in criminal justice can prepare you for in-demand jobs and provide you with highly marketable skills.

Law enforcement jobs fall into one of two categories: sworn and non-sworn. People in sworn careers take an oath to support the U.S. Constitution, their state, and the laws of their jurisdiction. These jobs involve making arrests and, often, carrying firearms. People in sworn jobs often start as police officers and move up the ranks into higher-level positions. Employees in non-sworn positions do not have arrest powers or carry firearms.

Which career is best for you? Below are three non-sworn careers you can obtain with a degree in criminal justice.

    1. Crime Analyst

As a crime analyst, you will research and analyze data, prepare reports, and gather statistical information. You will provide crime intelligence to law enforcement by identifying crime patterns in a specific area. The person in this role also assembles suspect and victim profiles to provide action plans for preventing future crime. Learn about salaries for this work.

    2. Intelligence Analyst

 As an intelligence analyst, you’ll work at a police department to provide information about security threats and trending crimes. To provide this information, you’ll gather and analyze data, conduct research, prepare reports, and present findings. The salary for this profession varies between $46,000 and $110,000 with a median salary of $72,693. 

    3. Background Investigator

As a background investigator, you will conduct a range of investigations for a police department. This includes conducting thorough background checks on people applying for jobs in the police department. The salary for this profession varies between $35,000 and $83,000 with a median of $49,424.

At SUNY Empire, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in criminal justice entirely online so you can remain in the field, apply your newfound knowledge to your daily work, and work your way up to the career of your dreams. Learn more about SUNY Empire’s Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and apply today!