Criminal Justice Schools in Nevada | NV
In 2010, for the seventh year in a row, Nevada was first place for the most dangerous, crime-ridden state in CQ Press’ Annual State Crime Rankings. Also in 2010, Dr. Andrew Schiller and the researchers at NeighborhoodScout.com determined that two of Las Vegas’ neighborhoods were the third and fourth most dangerous districts in the country. Nevada’s law enforcement agencies certainly have their hands full. If you are interested in becoming a police or sheriff’s patrol officer to help lower the state’s crime rate, check out the list of campus and online criminal justice schools in Nevada for information on law enforcement degrees. Most agencies prefer candidates to have a minimum of an Associate’s Degree. There are approximately 140 new job openings for Nevada police officers and sheriff’s patrol officers each year, according to Projections Central.
Sponsored School(s)
It is no surprise that Nevada boasts both the highest level of employment and the highest concentration of gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators in all of the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these skilled officers prevent and watch for questionable behavior, from theft to violence, in the casinos that line the Vegas strip. Many gaming hotels and casinos require gaming surveillance officers to complete at least a certificate program beyond high school. Check the list of criminal justice schools in Nevada for either online or campus programs in security and surveillance, gaming protection, casino surveillance or similar certification courses.
You can start numerous careers, from emergency management specialist to court reporter, by completing a criminal justice degree in Nevada with a relevant specialty.
Nevada Criminal Justice Career Outlook
In addition to having the highest concentration of gaming surveillance officers, Nevada is one of five states with the highest concentration of security guards and transportation security screeners, adds the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately 450 new positions open each year for security guards, according to Projections Central. Those who are interested in a future law enforcement, legal or criminal justice career earn valuable experience starting as a security guard, something future employers will acknowledge. As a security guard you can rise up the career ranks by completing a criminal justice degree in security management, law enforcement, corrections or criminal justice administration.
Transportation security screeners are employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA prefers candidates with previous experience or those who have completed a security, airport screening or another similar certificate program in addition to high school. Starting as a transportation security screener is the ideal launch pad for other TSA careers, such as U.S. Marshall or Federal Security Officer. If these positions interest you, visit the list of criminal justice schools in Nevada for information on homeland security, law enforcement or other relevant degree programs.
Other criminal justice careers in Nevada that show a positive employment outlook are Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers (140 openings/year), Lawyers (150 openings/year) and Paralegals (50 openings/year). If these growing careers interest you, look for information on law enforcement, law or paralegal degrees among the criminal justice schools in Nevada.
Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is the country’s 14th largest local police force, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2007, the LVMPD had 4,704 employees – 2,309 of them being sworn officers. The most recent estimate provided by Projections Central for all of Nevada is approximately 5,110 police and sheriff’s patrol officers.
You could start your career as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy by taking an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement at one of the criminal justice schools in Nevada. Then after several years on the force you could upgrade your education to a Bachelors or Masters in Criminal Justice, Criminology or another specialized field, to become a detective or first-line supervisor. Approximately 20 new positions open up for detectives and 30 new positions for first-line supervisors of police each year in Nevada.
Additionally, of Nevada’s top 25 employers, 18 of them are casinos (or hotel casinos). Together they employ over 100,000 people, according to Career One Stop. This suggests that there will be a continuous demand for gaming surveillance officers and investigators. To snag one of these jobs, make your resume shine by taking a criminal justice degree in Nevada (or a certificate program) with a specialty in casino surveillance, gaming security or other related disciplines.
Nevada Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & Nevada Criminal Justice Salary
| Career | Employment Growth through 2018 | Current Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | will remain roughly the same | $60,000 – 70,000+ |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 2% | $92,000 – 100,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 8% | $74,000 – 80,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 30% | $49,000 – 55,000 |
| Emergency Management Specialists | 8% | $61,000 – 69,000 |
| Lawyers | 17% | $120,000 – 128,000 |
| Court Reporters | 24% | $49,000 – 52,000 |
| Gaming Surveillance Officers and Investigators | 9% | $33,000 – $39,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Nevada Crime Rate
In CQ Press‘ 2010 State Crime Rankings, where it placed first for overall crime, Nevada also ranked first for the number of motor vehicle thefts and robberies. In that same year, the FBI reported over 5,200 robberies (196/100,000 people) and over 10,000 motor vehicle thefts (377/100,000).
While, according to the National Institute of Corrections, Nevada’s crime rate is only 8% higher than the country’s average, its violent crime rate is 81% higher. Violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, assault and robbery. In 2010, there were over 17,800 violent crimes committed in Nevada, reports the FBI.
Nevada’s Correctional System Stats
| Facility | Number of Facilities & Offices | Number of Inmates |
|---|---|---|
| Jails | 22 | 6,346 |
| Prisons | 9 (plus camps and community centers) | 12,737 |
| Probation & Parole | 14 | 16,224 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
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