Criminal Justice Schools in Louisiana | LA
Louisiana is one of five states with the highest concentration of police and sheriff’s patrol officers, states the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2008, it was determined that there were 405 sworn personnel per 100,000 people in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In fact from 2004 to 2008 Louisiana State Police officers increased by 15.3%. Projections Central estimates a further increase for all of the state’s sworn personnel to increase by at least 9% through to 2018.
Sponsored School(s)
If you would like to become a police officer or sheriff’s deputy, check out the list of criminal justice schools in Louisiana for information on law enforcement degrees. Most departments prefer entry-level personnel to have a minimum of an Associate’s Degree (2 years) and previous related experience.
In addition, other legal and justice careers are flourishing in Louisiana. For example, there is an average of 480 new job openings per year for correctional officers. The career outlook for both forensic science experts and gaming surveillance officers is expected to increase by 27%, states Projections Central. If any of these occupations interest you, consider taking a criminal justice degree in Louisiana that focuses on corrections, casino security, forensic science or other related specialties. Many of the colleges and universities in Louisiana offer a choice between online and campus programs
Louisiana Criminal Justice Career Outlook
Currently, Louisiana is one of five states with the highest level of employment for fish and game wardens. If you are keen to protect natural ecosystems while enforcing vital regulations, look for information on law enforcement, wildlife, environmental science or conservation degrees among the criminal justice schools in Louisiana.
Additionally, Louisiana is one of five states with the highest concentration of the following positions:
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
- Court Reporters
- Bailiffs
- Correctional Officers and Jailers
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Each of the above criminal justice careers in Louisiana show a positive employment outlook. For example, an average of 390 new jobs for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers and 80 new jobs for Detectives are expected to open up each year, states Projections Central. In addition, 480 new jobs for Correctional Officers, 470 for Security Officers and 110 for Paralegals will be offered each year.
Completing a criminal justice degree in Louisiana with a law enforcement, corrections, paralegal studies, court reporting or another related major will help get your foot in the door and you rise up the ranks.
Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies
Some of Louisiana’s largest employers are the New Orleans Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office with a combined total of around 6,000 personnel, according to Career One Stop. In fact, Louisiana has 348 state and local law enforcement agencies with a total of over 25,000 employees (more than18,000 of them are sworn officers). As you can see, completing a criminal justice degree in Louisiana with a law enforcement concentration just makes sense.
The country’s largest maximum security prison is also found in Louisiana. Dubbed the “Alcatraz of the South”, the Louisiana State Penitentiary employs 2,000 correctional officers to monitor approximately 5,000 inmates. If you are up for this challenging yet crucial career, look for information corrections degree programs among the criminal justice schools in Louisiana.
Finally, Louisiana also boasts two U.S. Secret Services’ field offices and one of Homeland Security’s Special-Agent-in-Charge field offices. To have the competitive edge in gaining employment with these top agencies, look into taking a homeland security, computer forensics or counterterrorism degree.
Louisiana Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & Louisiana Criminal Justice Salary
| Career | Employment Growth through 2018 | Current Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 9% | $36,000-40,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 18% | $32,000-35,000 |
| Court Reporters | 18% | $37,000-44,000 |
| Bailiffs | 10% | $30,000-33,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 22% | $50,000-60,000 |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 9% | $59,000-64,000 |
| paralegals and legal assistants | 13% | $42,000-49,000 |
| Security Guards | 8% | $24,000-26,000 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 12% | $40,000-45,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Louisiana Crime Rate
Louisiana ranked third in CQ Press‘ 2010 Annual State Crime Rankings. The report revealed that Louisiana was the top state for murder rates and that it ranked fourth for assault. In that same year, the FBI reported 510 murders/manslaughters and over 17,900 cases of aggravated assault.
Overall, Louisiana’s crime rate is 31% higher than the national average, according to the National Institute of Corrections. Its violent crime rate is 50% higher than the rest of the country.
Louisiana’s Correctional System Stats
| Facility | Number of Facilities & Offices | Number of Inmates |
|---|---|---|
| Jails | 115 | 28,315 |
| Prisons | 12 government facilities | 19,000 (not counting those in private facilities) |
| Probation & Parole | 21 | 67,942 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
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