9781422276693

7 them that the job is glamorous. Actually, most public safety and security jobs are preventive in nature and involve irregular hours and considerable risk. For example, around 80 or 90 firefighters die on the job every year. Even people who work as bouncers and bailiffs face very real physical danger, and even death, attempting to do their job. Many security jobs do not have regular hours and often involve night work. Just as often, however, the rewards for working in public safety, law, and security are huge. Every safe day testifies to your hard work and dedication. You might not receive a hero’s standing ovation at the end of every day, but your efforts will be appreciated, not the least by yourself. If you have an interest in protecting and helping people who are weak or vulnerable, then you might enjoy a career in this field. A Range of Opportunity This volume highlights eight careers in public safety, law, and security that are available at an entry level with only a high school diploma. Some of these jobs might be familiar and some unfamiliar. The range of careers in public safety is broad. This book examines the following: • Law enforcement personnel protect the public’s health, well-being, and property. This type of job includes detectives, animal control officers, and police officers. • Security and protective service workers maintain the safety of buildings or objects. You might work as a transportation security officer, a security guard, or a nightclub bouncer. • Emergency and fire management personnel might directly fight fires or work as dispatchers by taking emergency calls and sending help to the callers. • Correctional officers guard people who have been arrested or are in jail or prison. Bailiffs represent a similar position; they keep order in a courtroom. • Crime-scene cleaners work in the public health field. They clean, disinfect, and restore a crime scene site to its previous state. Jobs with a High School Diploma or Less Some of these careers in this volume, such as crime-scene cleaner or security guard, require little or no academic study or training beyond high school. Others, such as firefighter or police officer, require extensive training. Many public safety, law, and security careers are becoming increasingly complex. However, you don’t need to spend four years in a classroom to learn these job skills. In many cases, you can learn additional required skills while you

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