Introduction

Numerous professionals partner with the criminal justice system in order to make it work. Here, you will explore how different allied professionals partner with law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

All resources that can be found in your textbook, Introduction to Criminal Justice Interactive eBook, will be preceded by the word Textbook (e.g., Textbook Journal or Textbook Video). These resources can be easily located in the Media Library at the beginning of each chapter in the textbook. You will also find them embedded in the text as you complete your reading assignments.

This module explores several allied criminal justice professions, such as substance abuse counselor, juvenile probation officer, and cybersecurity consultant. This module is made up of resource materials from Chapters 3, 6, 10, 11, 12, and 16 to provide you with a better understanding of the support roles involved with the criminal justice system. Review the specific sections and videos identified below. After you review these resources, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What are some allied professions that support all branches of the criminal justice system?
Are there any allied professional careers that you might be interested in pursuing?
What are some of the promising allied professional careers within the criminal justice industry?

Website: Exploring Criminal Justice Careers
This website breaks down criminal justice careers into five general categories and provides examples of careers within each category. It also supplies projected job growth figures, median salary, typical education, and job requirements for each career example, and explores various nontraditional and international careers. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What are the five categories of criminal justice occupations?
What are some qualities or skills that are identified as being common to many careers in criminal justice?
Which job category is expected to see the greatest amount of growth?

Textbook: Introduction to Criminal Justice Interactive eBook, Chapter 16, Practitioner’s Perspective: Cybersecurity Consultant (page 420)
This mini bio describes one person’s experience working as a cybersecurity consultant, his duties and responsibilities, and the qualities and characteristics that help him most in his work. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions:

How is the profession of cybersecurity consultant related to the criminal justice system?
Which qualities or characteristics of a cybersecurity consultant are key to being successful in this field?

Textbook Videos (Select Three):

Career Video 3.1: Crime Analyst (1:39)
This video discusses one person’s path to becoming a crime analyst and how a non–criminal justice undergraduate degree can still lead to a career related to the criminal justice system.

Career Video 6.1: Crime Scene Investigator (1:10)
This video describes how one woman became interested in criminal justice careers as a teenager through her time spent in a program called Explorers.

Career Video 10.1: Attorney/Defense Consultant (4:47)
In this career video, criminal defense attorney Ruth Moyer relates her educational background, some of her specific responsibilities as a defense attorney, and some advice she has for others who might want to be attorneys.

Career Video 11.1: Court Administrator (4:34)
This video delves into the role of a court administrator, including daily duties, challenges of the job, and educational advice.

Career Video 12.1: Jail Administrator (7:32)
In this video, Mitch Lucas, a jail administrator, discusses his career, some of the challenges of his field, misconceptions regarding those who work in jails, and characteristics that are helpful in his role.

Career Video 15.1: Juvenile Court Counselor (2:06)
This video introduces Jeanine Hall, who discusses her career path to becoming a juvenile court counselor and how much she has enjoyed her career working with the juvenile population.

Career Video 16.1: Director of IT and Electronic Security (7:07)
This video discusses the lengthy career of Dennis Bachman, a director of IT and electronic security who began his career as a patrol officer. He also provides some advice about building an educational background as one prepares for a career in criminal justice fields.

Select at least two of the resources below:

Website: Allied Professionals
This website provides a list of professionals, including a number of professionals working in criminal justice related fields, who may be key in identifying and serving victims of human trafficking. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following question:

How might someone in the criminal justice field come into contact with or work alongside a victim of human trafficking?

Video: Seasonal Positions—Dispatchers, Call Takers, and Public Safety Aides opens in new window (4:40)
A captioned version of this video is available: Seasonal Positions—Dispatchers, Call Takers, and Public Safety Aides opens in new window (CC) (4:40). This YouTube video explores the roles of dispatchers, call takers, and public safety aides. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What is a public safety aide, and what are some of the job responsibilities?
What are some of the qualities or characteristics that are helpful for dispatchers, call takers, and public safety aides?

Video: Inside the SJPD Community Service Officer Program opens in new window (6:00)
A captioned version of this video is available: Inside the SJPD Community Service Officer Program (CC) opens in new window (6:00). This video describes the role of a community service officer, focusing on a class of new recruits as they go through training. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What is a community service officer, and what are some of the job responsibilities?
How can community service officers benefit a community police force?
What are some of the risks associated with being a community service officer?

Website: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
This Bureau of Labor Statistics website provides an in-depth look at the occupations of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, including duties, work environment, path to each profession, pay, and job outlook. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What are some of the specific job duties of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists?
What are some of the advantages and concerns regarding the work environment for both occupations?
What types of work experience might be helpful in obtaining a job as a probation officer or correctional treatment specialist?

Video: What Is a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)? opens in new window (2:28)
A captioned version of this video is available: What Is a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)? (CC) opens in new window (2:28). This YouTube video provides an overview of the guardian ad litem profession, describing specific job duties and how these professionals are paid. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions: