A career in law enforcement is a future in the service of others. It’s a commitment to justice and serving the greater good. It’s a vow to protect those around you and to gain the skills, law enforcement training, and expertise to do that effectively. Day in and day out, communities trust law enforcement officers to help maintain the law, fight crime, and protect the ideals of justice upon which this country was founded. While law enforcement jobs can often be stressful and potentially dangerous, they’re also incredibly rewarding because they touch many lives. Many people who work in law enforcement can leverage their natural skills in communication, empathy, and awareness to protect their communities. That, coupled with the training they gain through criminal justice or other degree programs, can prepare them for careers from police officers to detectives, prosecutors, agents, administrators, and beyond.
Law Enforcement is part of the South Carolina Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security Career Cluster. Students enrolled in this program earn two high school credits each semester and can earn a combined total of eight credits upon completing the two-year program. Credits earned will count as electives needed for the SC high school graduation requirements. One of the credits earned may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement for SC high school graduation.
If you are interested in meeting Mr. Bowser and taking a tour of our Law Enforcement lab, we invite you to request a program tour. After-school program tours are available to prospective students and their parents in December, January, and February. We would welcome a chance to give you a tour of our programs.
This course is designed for students interested in law enforcement as a career and focuses on current and standard police procedures. The students will study the history of the criminal justice system, professional ethics in law enforcement, the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement, and incident report writing.
This course reinforces the skills learned during 1st semester and incorporates simulated experiences in order to prepare students for situations they may experience in the field. Joint drills with our Firefighting program and mock trial are part of this experience.
This course will allow the students to prepare for a future career in the field of law enforcement. The students will participate in search and arrest techniques, traffic stop training, investigative procedures, courtroom procedures, and evidence collection and preservation.
This course serves as the capstone for the Law Enforcement program. Students are expected to be able to apply each of the skills learned over the last three semesters across a variety of scenarios and situations. Students who excel in their program may participate in work-based learning. The WBL experience combines classroom-based education with on-the-job training experiences to help students prepare for and explore career objectives. A work-based experience must be planned and supervised by the school and employers so that it contributes to a student’s education and employability. Students must have access to reliable transportation.
Corrections officers work in facilities that incarcerate minors, ensuring the safety and well-being of staff, fellow officers, and the minors themselves. The main duties revolve around keeping a close watch on inmates, regularly keeping headcount, conducting searches for contraband, documenting behaviors, and communicating with inmates to provide support and mentorship that will help them lead a better life.
Salary- $42,103 per year on average, or $20.24 per hour
Military police take the roles of both peacekeepers and soldiers. Their job entails more responsibilities and duties than their civilian counterparts, making it more complicated. MP's are charged with providing security services to both military bases and the world in general. They also investigate minor crimes and conduct other law enforcement functions. They can make arrests, enforce martial law, and perform patrol duties.
Salary - $44,919 per year on average, or $21.59 per hour
Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow the law. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.
Salary - $52,638 per year on average, or $25.31 per hour
Each skill and trade requires a specific skill set to master the content and job tasks. Below are a few critical skills and requirements needed to succeed in the program and throughout a career in this field.
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NOTE: Credits earned will count as electives needed for the SC high school graduation requirements. One of the credits earned may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement for SC high school graduation. Most 4-year colleges will NOT accept career center courses as a substitute for the foreign language college admissions requirement.