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Criminal Justice System Offers A Plethora Of New Jobs In L.A.

"The Los Angeles metro area has needs for a wide variety of criminal justice professionals, especially police," said Dr. James David Ballard, a professor in the sociology department at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

LA-Crime
(Photo Courtesy of Dr. James David Ballard)

Driven by heightened interest in public safety issues, more than 41,000 police officers and detectives are expected to land new jobs nationwide within the next eight years. Throughout L.A., qualified applicants are also gaining other advantageous positions within the criminal justice system.

"There is a demand for probation and parole officers, insurance fraud investigators, private security administrators and coroner investigators," said Ballard, who earned his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

How is CSUN helping criminal justice students become employable?

"We are currently redoing our curriculum to better address the contemporary educational needs of our students. We have already developed community service learning projects tied to such agencies as the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department."

How productive is your program?

"Our students work with domestic violence victims, find jobs with federal agencies, help youth stay out of trouble, become police officers, support the prison system with parole supervision, and aid in such critical areas as elder abuse prevention."

How will the criminal justice system change by 2022?

"As the public seeks more accountability and transparency in criminal justice work, we will see the introduction of technologies to monitor the system, help administer it and provide evidence as to the system's compliance with community standards."

What is the best way to procure a lasting career?

"Those seeking a sound career in this field must be educated, stay up-to-date on the changes in technology and remember that they are public servants doing what society has asked them to do – protect and serve."

What is your message to aspiring criminal justice workers?

"I advise them to keep their noses clean. This means avoiding drugs and law violations, including speeding tickets. And when applying for a criminal justice position, always tell the truth. Getting caught in a lie is never going to assist in getting or keeping a job."

Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.

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