Understanding the Basics
According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service¹ (NCJRS), the criminal justice system "consists of the police, the courts and corrections" and criminal procedures "refers to the formal processes and institutions that have been established to apprehend, try, punish and treat law violators."
Police officers1 "maintain public order, deter crime, and apprehend law violators." The courts "determine the criminal liability of accused offenders ... and dispense sanctions to those found guilty of crime." Correctional officers and agencies¹ "provide post-adjudicatory care to offenders who are sentenced by the courts to confinement or community supervision." (NCJRS).
The Role of Law Enforcement in the Criminal Justice System
The Bureau of Justice Statistics states2, "law enforcement describes the agencies and employees responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and managing public safety." Key to cover law enforcement duties may include "the investigation, apprehension, and detention of individuals suspected of criminal offenses."
For example, community policing is the process in which a local police department regularly patrols higher-crime areas. Their activities may include building relationships with neighbors, offering safety best practices and addressing any concerns. If a police officer witnesses an attempted break-in or investigates a robbery, their work to interview witnesses, collect evidence and report the crime then supports potential criminal charges to help prosecutors to then build a case.
Key Differences of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is an important piece in the criminal justice system, but criminal justice encompasses more than just law enforcement activities.
Topic | Law Enforcement | Criminal Justice System |
Scope | May focus on crime prevention, detection and investigation. Important part of the criminal justice system. | Formal processes and institutions that have been established to apprehend, try, punish and treat law violators. |
Main Function | Enforces laws, investigates crimes, makes arrests, public safety. | Police, the courts and corrections. |
Example Agencies | Police departments, FBI, DEA, border patrol | Courts, correctional facilities, probation agencies, public defenders, prosecutors |
Authority and Power | Authority to enforce laws, make arrests, investigate. Work under the authority of the law, guided by codes of conduct from higher authorities. | Authority to prosecute, defend, convict, sentence. Multiple institutions like courts, correctional facilities which operate under constitutional guidelines within the criminal justice system. |
Pursuing a Career in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice
When deciding whether to pursue a career in law enforcement or the criminal justice system, consider what you're interested in pursuing: direct action and public safety or a broader role in the legal system. Regardless, both options may impact society.
Consider your personal interests, asking yourself if you enjoy working out in the field, directly with people or more administrative or analytical work.
As for education, some law enforcement positions require high school diplomas or GED and specialized training, whereas a criminal justice position may require a college degree and specialized training, whereas a criminal justice position may require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or more advanced education and specific work experience. It is important to understand whether licensing is required for a desired career by consulting the appropriate federal, state local agency and/or employer requirements.
Criminal justice students or law enforcement students may benefit from seeking internships or shadowing professionals to gain more hands-on experience for a criminal justice or law enforcement career path.
Education and Training
If you're interested in becoming a law enforcement officer or criminal justice professional, education may be required for specific roles. Criminal Justice degrees may be offered at the associate’s level and bachelor’s degree level. Rasmussen University’s Criminal Justice Associate’s and Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree programs are not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any states. These programs have not been approved by any state professional licensing body and do not lead to any state-issued professional license. Advanced or specific training and/or education beyond the initial law enforcement degree may be required for specific positions, like border patrol agents, special unit police officers or FBI agents.
Rasmussen University’s Law Enforcement Associate’s Degree meets the educational standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (MN POST) for persons who intend to seek employment in Minnesota as a peace officer. This program does not meet standards of states other than Minnesota.
Degrees from Rasmussen University3 may discuss criminal behavior, crime prevention, and diversity in the justice system. Graduates can apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate facts and theories pertaining to criminal justice; locate , evaluate, and integrate appropriate primary and secondary sources; effectively communicate ideas through speaking and writing; recognize and address complex ethical situations; and operate effectively within a continually changing environment.
Careers in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Criminal justice4 is a broad career field that may feature job titles like crime victim advocate, security manager, and corporate security supervisor.
Criminal justice professionals may work in a variety of settings, like police departments, courts, correctional facilities, the field and more.
There are many different types of law enforcement careers5 that people pursue, like police officer, conservation officer, alcohol law enforcement agent, deputy sheriff, state trooper, and security officer.
Law enforcement workers may work in various settings, like police departments, courts, correctional facilities, at crime scenes, government agencies, and more.
What Comes Next
Regardless of the career path you choose, deciding to pursue a career in service to others is a big step. Now that you're familiar with criminal justice and law enforcement, how do you decide which area to pursue? Check out what you can do with a law enforcement degree to see what your academic journey may entail on the path to a career in public service.
Disclosures
The Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree and Criminal Justice Associate’s degree programs have not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and the programs do not lead to any state-issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence. Additional education, training, experience, and/or other eligibility criteria may apply.
In Minnesota, the Criminal Justice Associate’s degree program does not meet the standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board for persons who seek employment as a peace officer.
Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE): The Law Enforcement programs at Rasmussen University meet standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (MN POST) for persons who seek employment in Minnesota as a peace officer. Graduates of this program may need to successfully complete additional academic coursework, training, practical/skills and fitness standards before becoming eligible to sit for the MN Peace Officer Licensing Exam.
The Law Enforcement Programs at Rasmussen University are not aligned to the standards of any professional licensing body other than the MN POST and are not intended to satisfy professional licensure requirements of any professional licensing agency in any other state.
1 U.S. Department of Justice, NCJRS Virtual Library, FUNCTIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE - PROCEDURES, TASKS AND PERSONNEL (FROM FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE - A SYLLABUS AND WORKBOOK at https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/functions-criminal-justice-procedures-tasks-and-personnel (visited February 11, 2025).
2 Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, at https://bjs.ojp.gov/topics/law-enforcement (visited February 11, 2025).
3 Rasmussen University, 2024-2025 Catalog and Student Handbook, School of Justice Studies, at https://rasmussen.dcatalog.com/v/2024-2025-Catalog/?page=46 (visited February 11, 2025).
4 Rasmussen University, Justice Studies, Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/criminal-justice/bachelors/ (visited February 11, 2025).
5 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm#tab-2 (visited February 11, 2025).
