For those who are considering working at the state level in Criminal Justice jobs, you should contact the state law enforcement agency where you plan to apply to get information on requirements. Some states may require prior police department experience while others, such as many State Police, may accept new recruits with no prior experience.As with federal police and other law enforcement jobs, there is more competition for these than for municipal police officer jobs. It’s important to be as well-prepared in advance as possible to give yourself an edge to the rest of the competition. This means getting good grades, if you’re still in high school, and taking college courses in criminal justice once you’re able to start college. These state criminal justice jobs require you at minimum to be at least 21 years old, a high school graduate, with a clean driving and criminal record.
State Police
State Police not only patrol the highways but also cooperate with sheriff’s police and other agencies in policing most of a state. They respond to traffic accidents and may be the first responder to any other type of crime. Much of their work is spent in investigative activities on behalf of the state.State Highway Patrol
One of the better-known state criminal justice jobs, The State Highway Patrol spends most of their time patrolling the state highways enforcing the motor vehicle laws. They are considered ‘peace officers’ and usually have statewide jurisdiction to enforce a state’s law. While they also conduct investigations these may be limited to criminal activity on property owned by the state.Just as with municipal departments, State Police and State Highway Patrol department have specialized units within the agency. After the required amount of time and experience, a Trooper may apply for promotion or participation in these units:
Forensic Specialists are trained in gathering crime scene evidence, as with municipal forensic specialists and technicians.
Canine Units may be requested by Troopers who suspect that a stopped vehicle may contain illegal drugs or other prohibited substances.
Polygraph unit operators administer polygraph tests when requested; they may also assist municipal departments with conducting their polygraph testing.