Empathy is an integral part of our human nature. It is a skill ingrained in us, but it can also be learned and improved upon. Explore ways to develop your empathy and be more successful in life.

Watch a TED Talk about empathy.

Being prepared and well trained to respond to a variety of emergency situations is a huge part of a security professionals job. Learn more about how you can protect yourself and others! 

Learn more about emergency preparedness and response.

Contact the agency you're interested in and ask about ride-along programs. You'll be riding with someone working as a police officer, firefighter or paramedic to see what they do and ask questions.

Ride with a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic.

Ask your school counselor about how to find JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs that you can join. 

Learn about teamwork and leadership in JROTC.

Read this article about the some of the different technologies forensic scientists use to solve cases. Does this sound like something you would like to learn more about? 

Learn how science is changing the way we solve crimes.

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Protective Service Occupations

Law Enforcement Workers

Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.

Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.

Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.

Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.

Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.

Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.

Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.

Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.

Police Identification and Records Officers

Overview

Career

What Police Identification and Records Officers Do

Other Job Titles Police Identification and Records Officers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Police Identification and Records Officers

Overview

Career

What Police Identification and Records Officers Do

Other Job Titles Police Identification and Records Officers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Police Identification and Records Officers

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders