Beyond Policing – 7 Criminal Justice Career Options

Beyond the cape towel you donned as a child, and soaring off the couch to save the day, if you’re still passionate about heroism in your adult years you’ve likely thought about a police foundations diploma. You may even be taking a police foundation course but are now realizing that becoming a police officer in Ontario is not your ultimate goal. Embarking on a Law Enforcement and Police Foundations program, training with expert instructors, gaining practical knowledge and hands-on experience will open myriad doors for career opportunities. Here are just a few options to consider as you set your sights on how you want to serve and take your career and life to the next level.

7 Criminal Justice Careers & What to Expect

1. Customs and Immigration Officer

In Canada, a customs and immigration officer focuses on the immigration process and works at the federal, provincial or municipal level. They assess validity of information given by applicants, seeking citizenship, visas or asylum or those arriving or leaving the country. The goal of the work is to ensure the health, safety and security of all citizens and work environments can range from office to court room, to border crossing.

Potential Responsibilities:

• Checking and monitoring people as they arrive or leave the country
• Examining passports and recognizing forged documents
• Consistently staying up to date on legislation and current affairs
• Understanding and applying immigration policies
• Potentially carrying out intelligence-based work on national and international levels
• Could include making arrangements for the removal of citizens in breach of immigration law.

2. Probation Officer

Monitor the behaviour and conduct of criminal offenders on probation and oversee the reintegration of those offenders serving the remainder of their sentences after they’re released into the community. They are employed by the federal and provincial governments and can work in the community and in correctional facilities.

Potential Responsibilities:

• Interview parolees, family members, friends, police, school staff or employers to assess and report on their ability to successfully reintegrate into the community
• Supervise the terms of probation and at times attend court
• Interview parolees regularly and evaluate and report their progress
• Recommend remedial action or court action if probation terms are violated
• Create rehabilitation programs, identifying needs, goals and setting out a plan
• May even contribute to policy development.

3. Security Guard / Officer

Work to guard and implement security measures to protect property, control access to venues or businesses, keep order and enforce necessary regulations or protect people and conduct investigations for clients or employers. If you’re looking to become a security guard, it is helpful to understand that you can be employed by public or private security agencies, by organizations in a wide variety of sectors or even be self-employed.

Potential Responsibilities:

• Control access to buildings, businesses, people, patrol areas and guard against criminal acts
• Ensure regulations to ensure safety, maintain order and resolve conflicts
• Implement emergency and safety procedures
• Drive, pick up, deliver cash or valuables
• Investigate unlawful acts
• Recommend security devices, work with security equipment.

4. Private Investigator

This is such a thrilling field for those with a passion for this type of work, we dedicated an entire blog post to explore the possibilities and provide details and tips for how to launch this dream career.

Here is all you need to know on this one: Interested in Being a Private Investigator – Your Dream Career Awaits

5. Court Officer

Coordinate procedural and administrative functions within, and are employed by, the federal, provincial and/or territorial courts.

Potential Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative services, set priorities for court staff
• Scheduling of court trials, pre-trial conferences, and hearings
• Record court commencement, read charges and take defendant pleas
• Collect court service feed
• Oversee judicial court records
• Help in preparing annual budgets
• Can pursue being justices of the peace.

6. Fraud Department Officer

Responsible for identifying and following up on suspicious insurance claims, providing professional reports and offering recommendations for strategic direction.

Potential Responsibilities:

• Conduct investigations into allegations of fraud, abuse or waste for organizations/clients of companies
• Research and review evidence and documents to analyze facts and coordinate details into reports for recommendations
• Coordinate with attorneys to provide deposition strategies and documentation for support
• Prepare prosecution packages and restitution proposals.

7. Correctional Officer

Guard detainees and criminal offenders and maintain order, security and safety in correctional institutions or other places of detention. They are employed by the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Potential Responsibilities:

• Observe behaviour of detainees to prevent disturbances, ensure safety
• Supervise detainees during meals, recreational periods, work assignments
• Patrol assigned areas
• Conduct security checks
• Escort detainees in transit
• Prepare admission, program, release, transfer and other reports
• Potential to supervise and oversee the work of other correctional officers.

If you’re currently in a law enforcement course, it’s empowering to know that there is incredible flexibility for where and how you can apply your skillset. If you’re not enrolled yet and in exploring these career options you felt intrigued why not reach out and talk to someone who can help you explore the opportunities and work with you to find the best fit for study?

Take the “Anderson College Law Enforcement Career Discovery Quiz”

We’re here to help. Book a virtual appointment with an Admission Advisor today to learn more about our Law Enforcement/Police Foundations program or find a fit with one of our other 30+ leading-edge programs.

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Law Enforcement & Police Foundation Courses at Anderson College
• How To Become an Immigration Officer | Indeed.com Canada
• Probation Officer in Canada | Job description – Job Bank
• Interested in Being a Private Investigator? Your Dream Career Awaits. (andersoncollege.com)
• Court Officer in Canada | Job description – Job Bank
• Correctional Officer in Canada | Job description – Job Bank