First Responders

Criminal Justice

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of working in criminal justice?

Rewarding Criminal Justice Career: Helping Communities, Making Safer

For me, the most rewarding aspect of working in criminal justice is being able to help people. I've always been the type that I've wanted to give back to the community and provide that service. I think that's one thing that's really rewarding is helping individuals, but also helping them get out of bad situations and helping those individuals that have been through bad situations throughout my career at ATF   We've always focused on violent crime and being able to identify those individuals that are causing the vast majority of violent crime in the community and removing those from that community. We've seen a reduction in crime in that area. We know through studies that a vast majority of shootings that happen are done by a small number of individuals. And if we're able to through technology and investigations and surveillance and search warrants, whatever aspect we're able to use, when investigative tools, identify those individuals can stop them from shooting. That's going to make communities safer. And that's what I think is really rewarding to me, is making communities safer.

The most rewarding aspect of working in criminal justice is being able to help people by identifying and removing individuals who are causing the majority of violent crime in communities, thereby making them safer.

The most rewarding aspect of working in criminal justice, in my experience, is the ability to help people. Giving back to the community and providing a valuable service has always been important to me. It's truly rewarding to assist individuals in getting out of difficult situations and supporting those who have faced adversity. Throughout my career at ATF, our focus has been on addressing violent crime. We work towards identifying and removing individuals who are responsible for a significant portion of violent crime in the community. By utilizing technology, conducting investigations, surveillance, and executing search warrants, we can identify these individuals and prevent them from causing harm, ultimately making communities safer. Studies have shown that a small number of individuals are responsible for the majority of shootings, so being able to stop them has a tangible impact on reducing crime. Making communities safer is what truly brings me fulfillment in this line of work.

What are some of the career advancement opportunities in criminal justice?

Discover a World of Career Advancement in Criminal Justice

What are some of the career advancement opportunities in criminal justice? As it relates to the law enforcement community, you know, there are several career advancement opportunities. It just all depends on what department you're in and what size of that department it is. You know, typically you'll start out as a patrol officer, then you can advance up into be a detective, where you're not patrolling the roads, you're actually doing criminal investigations. Or you could get into a specialty unit like SWAT or negotiations. Or you could get into the homicide unit or crimes against women or crimes against children or the robbery squad. You know, there are a lot of different specialized units that, again, depends on the size and type of the agency that you're with. And then you can get up into supervision if you want to put on that leadership role and that leadership hat. Every department you can advance your way up into sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major, however the structure is broken up. So there are a lot of different avenues. I mean, if you're in a harbor town, you know, maybe there's a marine patrol or there's an aviation patrol if you're a pilot. The big thing now we're seeing are drones. Agencies are setting up their own units and getting officers who are drone certified that they can use those. It just all depends on what your niche is, what you would like to get into, what really drives you and gives you purpose. And then you just need to set a goal and say, this is where I want to go, this is where I want to work, and figure out what you need to do to accomplish that.

There are many career advancement opportunities in criminal justice, such as advancing from patrol officer to detective or to a specialized unit like SWAT or negotiations. You can also advance up into supervision, such as sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major etc. depending on the department. It all depends on what your niche is and setting a goal of where you want to be.

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Career advancement opportunities in criminal justice vary depending on the department and its size. In the law enforcement community, starting as a patrol officer is common, followed by potential advancement to becoming a detective involved in criminal investigations. There are also specialized units like SWAT, negotiations, homicide, crimes against women or children, and the robbery squad. The availability of these units depends on the agency's size and type. Another path is moving into a supervisory role, such as sergeant, lieutenant, captain, or major, depending on the department's structure. Specialized units may exist for marine patrol or aviation patrol for those interested in harbor towns or piloting. Moreover, the emergence of drones has opened up opportunities for officers certified in drone operation. Ultimately, finding one's niche and setting specific goals is essential to determine the desired career path within criminal justice.

What are the main responsibilities of a criminal justice professional, and how do you prioritize them?

Prioritizing Responsibilities: Upholding the Law and Integrity

What are the main responsibilities of a criminal justice professional and how do you prioritize them? I would say in the criminal justice world there are several responsibilities that you may have to take into account. First and foremost is uphold the law. That's what our job is. We're out there to enforce the law, you know, ensure individuals aren't breaking it. Now you're not going to enforce every little statute because, you know, you just can't go around arresting everybody or writing everybody a ticket. But we're also there to serve. And you know, one thing that we always have to do, one thing I've always lived myself by and the priorities I have is do the right thing. You know, it's like the definition of integrity, do the right thing, especially when nobody is looking. So the priorities that we have to set up is making sure that we are holding ourself up to the highest standard that we can. Because right now in the criminal justice community, in the law enforcement arena, you know, there's a lot of stigma around what we're doing. Everything's being videotaped and every little misstep or every little thing that we do that's considered wrong is compounded. So first priority you have to have is do the right thing. Hold yourself to an extremely high standard. Don't get wrapped up in any of the political nonsense or the social media issues. You know, focus on doing your job, doing what you need to do. And actually the number one priority in the law enforcement community, make it home safe each night. That's your number one priority. You need to go out and do your job, but it's all for naught that if you don't make it home safe at the end of the night.

The main responsibility of a criminal justice professional is to uphold the law and serve their community. Additionally, they should prioritize doing the right thing, holding themselves to a high standard, and making it home safe each night.

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The main responsibilities of a criminal justice professional include upholding the law, serving the community, and doing the right thing. Upholding the law is a primary duty, but it doesn't mean enforcing every statute. Serving the community and maintaining integrity are crucial priorities. It's important to set high standards for oneself and prioritize doing what is right, even when nobody is watching. With the current climate surrounding law enforcement, it's essential to focus on the job at hand and not get caught up in political or social media distractions. Additionally, ensuring personal safety is the number one priority in the law enforcement community. While performing one's duties, making it home safely at the end of each night is paramount.

How do you incorporate self care into your personal and professional life, and what impact has it had on your success?

The Power of Self-Care: A Law Enforcement Perspective

How do you incorporate self-care into your personal and professional life and what impact has it had on your success? You know I think for me it's something that I've overlooked for years. I know 26 years at ATF I was a big bad federal agent, nothing would affect me. I have thick skin but years down the road. Yeah, it was affecting me the things I saw. What I was through that, you know, law enforcement is put up that shield and had this ask on thing in the I don't nothing can affect me and I think it's so important that you need to work on. That self-care be it, good nutrition. Be it working out and taking care of yourself but also not just your physical self, your mental self. And that's what I've really come to understand is that it's okay, not to be okay. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to talk to a therapist. It's okay to talk to a counselor. There's nothing wrong with It's actually very normal to be able to express, you have issues or concerns, or you just need to vent and, you know, something that you can actually talk to people about and understand that is very important, both in your professional and personal lives that taking care of yourself and your own mental well-being, your health is going to lead to a long life and a long career. So for me it's something that I got involved in later in life. Life. I wish I would have gotten involved in talking to therapists and counselors early on. I hope this is something that we try to reduce that stigma in law enforcement that it's okay to talk to somebody and I hope the younger generation welcomes this and is open to talking to somebody and working on your own self care.

Self-care is important in both personal and professional lives, and it's okay to ask for help. I wish I had started practicing self-care earlier in life, and I hope the younger generation will be more open to talking to someone and taking care of their mental health.

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Incorporating self-care into both my personal and professional life has been a transformative journey for me. For many years, I overlooked its importance, believing that I had a thick skin and that nothing could affect me. However, as time went on, I realized that the things I experienced in my law enforcement career were indeed impacting me.

I came to understand that self-care encompasses not only physical well-being through good nutrition and exercise but also mental well-being. It's crucial to acknowledge that it's okay not to be okay and to seek help when needed. Talking to a therapist or counselor is not a sign of weakness but a normal and healthy way to address issues, concerns, or simply to vent.

I wish I had recognized the value of talking to professionals earlier in life. I hope to help reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help in law enforcement and encourage the younger generation to embrace self-care and be open to seeking support. Taking care of our mental well-being is essential for a long and fulfilling life, both personally and professionally.

What should brand new officers consider/ask/look for when selecting a police department to work for (beyond pay and benefits)?

Key Takeaway: Key factors to consider when selecting a police department beyond pay and benefits.

What should brand new officers consider, ask, or look for when selecting a police department to work for, other than pay and benefits? I think some of the things you need to look at is, what is the administration like? How long has the chief or sheriff been there? What's the internal feeling regarding the administration? Are they liked by the community? What's the relationship between the executives in the department and the city council or the county board? Is there internal infighting between executives? So those are things you want to take a look at. What are you actually getting yourself into? The job is the job, but every job has internal politics that you need to navigate. You want to look and ask around, what are the other officers like? What is the potential for promotions to switch to new positions? What is the feeling between the community and the department? Is there a lot of animosity? Does the department get along with the community, and does the community respect and get along with the department's officers? So all those things are something that I would take a look at before I would go jump in with a new agency.

When considering a new police department to work for, it is important to look at the administration, their relationships with the community and local government, current officer morale and dynamics, potential for promotion and advancement, and the overall respect between the officers and the community.

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When selecting a police department to work for, brand new officers should consider factors beyond pay and benefits. Here are some important aspects to evaluate:

1. Administration: Assess the leadership within the department. How long has the chief or sheriff been in their position? What is the internal perception of the administration? Are they well-liked by the community? Consider the relationship between department executives and the city council or county board. Look for signs of internal infighting among executives.

2. Internal dynamics: Understand the internal politics and dynamics of the department. Every job has its own set of internal politics, and it's important to navigate them effectively. Seek information about the working environment and the attitudes of other officers.

3. Career advancement: Evaluate the potential for promotions and opportunities to switch to new positions within the department. Consider the department's track record of supporting career growth and development.

4. Community relations: Investigate the relationship between the department and the community it serves. Is there animosity or a lack of trust? Look for signs of mutual respect and cooperation between the community and the department's officers.

Considering these factors will provide a more comprehensive understanding of what it would be like to work for a particular police department. It's essential to gather information and make an informed decision before committing to a new agency.

What is the biggest challenge today for a female First Responder in a male-dominated environment?

Breaking Stereotypes: Female First Responders Overcoming Challenges

This is a great question. What is the biggest challenge today for female first responders in a male-dominated environment? And I got to say that the question answers that question. The biggest challenge is that it is a male-dominated environment. And I'm going to speak to it in the law enforcement arena. You know, vast majority agencies you go to, it's 90% male. And I think for a female to get into law enforcement, one, I think it's great. I think we need more females getting involved with law enforcement. But I think it's going to be an uphill climb for some because it is, you're always unfortunately going to be second-guessed. Are you strong enough to do the position? Do you have the mental will? Do you have the fortitude? You know, some horrible stereotypes are, oh, women are too emotional. I mean, that's just BS. I think that's, you know, we actually need some more of that emotions in law enforcement. And I think they'll actually break down that stigma of law enforcement being big, strong men. And that's only people that can do it. You know, I think it's great that women are getting involved more. And actually, a good friend of mine, she's been in the corporate world and she's in her mid to late 30s. And she's in her fifth week of the police academy. And I'm like, this is awesome. But I did talk with her that, you know, you're going to have people looking at you, you know, are you good enough to do this job as a woman? And unfortunately, that's just a horrible stereotype. And I think that it's going to take time to get more women in leadership roles that are going to be able to break down that barrier, get more women into law enforcement, and show they can do the job just as good and sometimes even better than us. So I look forward to seeing more women in law enforcement.

The biggest challenge for female first responders in a male-dominated environment is the stigma that they are not strong enough to do the job. This can be overcome by having more women in leadership roles who can break down the barrier and show that they can do the job as well or better than men.

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The biggest challenge for a female first responder in a male-dominated environment, specifically in the law enforcement arena, is the fact that it is a male-dominated environment. While it is great to see more females getting involved in law enforcement, there are still uphill battles to face. Females may often be second-guessed, with doubts about their strength, mental fortitude, and suitability for the position. Unfair stereotypes such as women being too emotional persist, despite the need for a range of emotions in law enforcement. Breaking down the stigma of law enforcement being exclusive to big, strong men requires more women getting involved and challenging these stereotypes. It will take time to have more women in leadership roles who can break down barriers and demonstrate that they can excel in the field of law enforcement, sometimes even surpassing their male counterparts. The speaker looks forward to seeing more women joining and succeeding in law enforcement.

Donald Soranno answers your First Responders questions. See all the advice Donald Soranno has and get answers to your own First Responders questions.

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Donald Soranno is a retired special agent with 30+ yrs of experience in criminal investigations and corporate security. He served in the ATF, beginning in 1990 and worked his way up the ranks to become a Special Agent in Charge (SAC). He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2010 and was a Leadership Fellow with the FBI Leadership Institute in 2012. Don holds a bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Ferris State, an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and obtained his Certified Protection Professional (CPP) credentials from ASIS. Don is currently the Senior Product Manager/SME with Evidence IQ and with their Ballistics IQ solution helps law enforcement agencies solve gun crimes quicker. 