Being a superhero is every child’s fantasy. But as people grow up, they realize that the real heroes are those fearless men and women who spend a good part of their lives patrolling our streets and maintaining peace and order, and some ‘ordinary’ citizens, who, through their actions, ably assist these badge-wielding crime fighters with their intelligence and bravery.Miscreants and evildoers are using the aid of modern technology to create disorder and unrest in our society, and we need to fight fire with fire. So whether you’re a police officer, an aspiring one, or just a Good Samaritan looking to lend a helping hand, here is a list of the most amazing police apps available.

The best criminal justice apps for citizens, the police force, and future officers:       

For Citizens

My Police Department

The beauty of the MyPD App, available for free on iOS and Android, is in its simplicity. An app that connects you to over 200 police departments across the length and breadth of the United States, this app is packed with 40 other crime-fighting features like access to ‘wanted’ lists, missing children’s information, a list of sex offenders and much, much more.

Live Safe

Animals face the heat of crime, too, and a lot of times this crime is more heinous than what us human beings face. Live Safe helps responsible citizens to report animal abuse in a quick and easy way, and is available on both platforms for free.

For Would-be Crime Fighters

Police Academy Study Guides

This free iPhone-only app gives you access to a plethora of study material to help you prepare for your police academy examinations. It includes multiple choice quizzes and games to help you learn better.

Smart Tools

This 6 App pack is the perfect companion for trainee officers. It contains a compass, a metal detector, a sound meter, a measuring tool, a light app, and a unit converter -all good things to have up your sleeve.

CCW

This guide gives you all the information you need on concealed carrying of weapons in all 50 states. The app is available for $1.99 on Android and iOS.

Signals

This free Android-only app gives you all the information you need on a variety of signals including Morse, Police Color/penal code signals and 10/11signals among others.

Forensics Guide

A complete compendium of forensics terminology, the Forensics Guide is only available on Android and will set you back$2.95. It’s a great resource for those who want to get familiar with the ins and outs of forensic science.

For Police Officers

Patrolman Vehicle’s Guide

The Patrolman Vehicle’s Guide is available on both Apple and Google OS’s and costs $1.99. This app provides an up-to-date database on all modern vehicles making easier to identify suspect cars.

Miranda Warnings/Rights

The Miranda Warnings/Rights app is a helpful tool designed to aid police officers in delivering Miranda rights and warnings perfectly and without a glitch. This app is android-only, and is free of cost.

USCop

Available for $3.99 on Android and $5.99 on iOS, US Cop is a police officer must-have. It contains thousands of pages worth of information on a variety of police-related topics such as accident investigation and law enforcement training.

Police One

This free app is an interesting tool for law enforcement personnel. It provides the latest news regarding law enforcement, has a slew of tips and guides, and expert articles regarding the subject.

Cargo Decoder

This free Apple, Android, and Blackberry app helps officials determine what cargo a truck is carrying by decoding DOT placards, especially handy in potentially hazardous situations.

So there you have it, 12 apps that are well worth your downloading efforts. If you want to help keep the streets safe, no matter in what capacity, then this is where you begin.

And if you wish to take on a law enforcement role as a professional, Concordia University Texas offers an online degree (B.A. in Criminal Justice) that helps you understand criminology, and equips you with all the prerequisites for a Criminal Justice career. What’s unique about this program is that you can pursue your degree with the general track, or choose one of three special emphasis tracks: management, homeland security or crime scene investigation.

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What often goes unsaid is that the criminal justice system and the people working in it are the ‘guardians’ of those values that we believe in as a nation – values like fairness, equality, and justice for all. If you, too, care about upholding these values, and wish to do something about it, a career in criminal justice might be a great professional choice for you.

What kind of opportunities exist?

Criminal justice comprises of three main components – law enforcement, court, and corrections. Armed with a degree in criminal justice,you can qualify for exciting career opportunities. A Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice – online or in-class –can be an ideal stepping stone to graduate programs or advanced training in various fields.

Here’s looking at some exciting career opportunities:

Police Officers and Detectives

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 780,000 police officers and detectives in our country in 2012 (with another 41,400 expected to be added over the next decade). As a police officer or detective, you’ll either be working for the local, state, or the federal government. Agencies like the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Border Protection could be your employers.

Private Investigators

The number of private investigators stood at 30,000 in 2012 and was expected to grow at 11 percent in the 2012-2022 period. As a private detective, you could be self-employed or working for the government, a private investigation agency, a law firm, or the finance and insurance industry.

Crime Scene Investigators

Television programs like CSI have added to the appeal of becoming a CSI agent. This field will enjoy a faster than average growth rate of 19 percent. You’ll get to work on crime scene locations gathering evidence for lab analysis and interviewing eye witnesses. As a CSI agent, what you uncover could be what’s needed to crack the case.

Fraud Investigators

These professionals work with insurance companies and usually come on the scene when a claim is being questioned.  They can also be hired for private investigation related to a company’s business practices. They will interview, gather evidence, and present their findings to the company or individual that hired them.

Security Guards

This profession will enjoy an 18 percent job growth rate. These are generally private security guards hired to protect private property and make sure that all protocols for safety are followed. They work with law enforcement authorities to deter crime and protect communities.

State Troopers

They work on state highways to ensure that safety laws are being followed by private and commercial vehicles. They also assist the government in searching for wanted criminals.

Correctional and Probation Officers

While the job of a correctional officer is to supervise individuals who are awaiting trial while in jail as well as those who are serving time, a probation officer mainly works with offenders who are serving a probationary sentence instead of a prison term for their crime, or those who are out on parole.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent, a United States Postal Inspector, a Forensic Science Technician and Criminologist are the other popular careers to have emerged within the criminal justice system.

If you’re ready to prepare for a career that is less than ordinary, Concordia University Texas offers online criminal justice programs so that you can earn your degree while keeping your job or personal commitments. Ask for more information on our B.A. in Criminal Justice. A career that’s full of drama, reward, and a lot of gratification, awaits you!

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In criminal justice, as in so many other things, Texas leads the way. The most popular criminal justice jobs in Texas illustrate just a few of the opportunities in this rich and diverse career path. While not all of these careers require a bachelor’s degree to get started, earning one is critical to career advancement. All employment and salary information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unless otherwise noted.

Security guards protect a particular building or area from theft, vandalism and other forms of illegal activity. They can work for private companies, government facilities, educational institutions and other employment environments.

At just over 87,000 employees in the state alone, security guards, along with armored car guards and gaming surveillance officers, occupy the spot for the most popular criminal justice job in Texas. And while it’s a great way to begin a career in criminal justice, there is plenty of room for growth with additional education and experience.

By earning a bachelor’s degree and gaining some experience in the field, security guards can pursue a career as a security manager, which earns a median salary of $58,387. Security directors earn $72,344 (PayScale).

• Employees: 87,020
• Salary: $25,840
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor’s degree for advanced positions

Patrol officers are responsible for protecting others’ lives and property. They also conduct traffic stops, prepare cases and testify, respond to emergencies and investigate suspicious activity.

Second in Texas for criminal justice, police and patrol officer positions are the top employment choice for law enforcement professionals. Traditionally, a high school diploma or associate degree is required for patrol officers, but departments across the nation are starting to require the bachelor’s degree.

There are further career growth opportunities for these types of officers, including positions as a supervisor, detective or criminal investigator, in addition to a number of federal law enforcement roles.

• Employees: 56,890
• Salary: $53,030
• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred

Correctional officers oversee people who are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to time in jail or prison. They supervise inmates, aid in rehabilitation and enforce rules that inmates must follow.

This entry-level position is a natural choice for a career in corrections, another popular subfield of criminal justice. A high school diploma is required here, but a bachelor’s degree can open up more lucrative opportunities.

Federal correctional officers can earn significantly more than entry-level officers. Another strong option for career growth potential is a position as prison warden, which earns $68,784 (PayScale).

• Employees: 47,910
• Salary: $35,130 ($53,240 nationwide for federal correctional officers)
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (federal prisons require a bachelor’s degree)

Detectives and criminal investigators gather information, conduct surveillance and investigate legal, financial and personal matters to perform a particular task. They may work as legal, corporate, financial or computer forensic investigators, among other specialties and work settings.

This advanced law enforcement position is usually attainable with a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience. Further career advancement is still possible here as well; one in five private detectives and investigators are self-employed, and this career as a whole can increase earnings potential.

• Employees: 16,550
• Salary: $76,540
• Education: Bachelor’s degree

At Concordia University Texas, we offer a B.A. in Criminal Justice that’s completely online. You can study when and where you want, and earn your degree while you gain experience as a criminal justice professional.

Find out more at our online criminal justice degree page.

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Seeing female police officers, lawyers, corrections officers and judges is a common occurrence these days. However, women working in the criminal justice system is a relatively new trend. It wasn’t long ago that this was quite rare. In fact, in 1872 the Supreme Court ruled against allowing a woman, Myra Bradwell, to practice law. It wasn’t until the 20th century, especially after the middle of the century, that the number of women in law enforcement significantly increased.

According to the National Center for Women and Policing, female police officers doubled in number during the 1950s alone.  After that, it was only a matter of time until more women became criminal justice professionals. In 1968, two women in Indianapolis were the first to ever go on patrol duty. And the Civil Rights Act was expanded in the year 1972, stating that women could no longer be discriminated against by police departments. By 1992, half of all law students were women, and as a result more became judges. Now, about 30 percent of trial and district court judges in the United States are women, according to the National Women’s Law Center.

Women Today

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, employment of women in the criminal justice system is impressive. The following data illustrates the important role that women play in all aspects of law enforcement, the courts, corrections and more. As of the year 2011 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), there are:

• 206,298 women employed as security guards and gaming officers (22 percent)
• 37,224 women who are detectives and criminal investigators (26 percent)
• 9,656 women working as firefighters (3.5 percent)
• 117,015 women employed as bailiffs and correctional officers (27 percent)
• 110,670 women who are police officers and sheriffs (16 percent)

Influential Women in Criminal Justice

Both in the past and present, women have made a difference in the criminal justice field. Below is a list of women who are great role models for individuals who are just starting their criminal justice career. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to get updates on the criminal justice field and how they are shaping decisions related to policy and law.

• Sandra Day O’Connor: As the first woman to serve as a United States Supreme Court justice, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. O’Connor served as a justice from 1981 through 2006. When she first became an attorney, she had to work as a secretary because no law firms would hire a woman. O’Connor later served in the Arizona Legislature and Court of Appeals.
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg: She is currently serving as a Supreme Court Justice and was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. After O’Connor, Ginsburg is the second female justice. Her past career highlights include working as an advocate for the advancement of women’s rights and volunteering as a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union.
• Janet Reno: She was the first female U.S. attorney general and the longest serving during the 20th century. Reno graduated from Harvard Law School, one of only 16 women in her class of 500. Before serving as attorney general, Reno was state attorney in Miami, Florida.
• Freda Adler: As one of the most influential criminologists in the world, Adler served as president of the American Criminological Society and has been a consultant for the United Nations on issues related to crime. She is currently serving as professor emeritus at Rutgers University and as visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Gloria Allred: She is a high-profile American lawyer who generally works on cases related to the protection of women’s rights. Her most famous client was the family of Nicole Brown Simpson during the O.J. Simpson trial. In fact, her law firm handles more women’s rights cases than any other private firm in the U.S. 

Criminal Justice at Concordia University Texas

The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program focuses on the concept of restorative justice, which brings victims and offenders together in an effort to repair communities. Graduates are prepared for career opportunities in probation, parole, state and federal law enforcement and the courts. Learn more about our criminal justice program and discover how a degree from Concordia University Texas can help you make a difference in your community.

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