Law enforcement careers can be both fulfilling and challenging. The roles of a detention officer and a correctional officer are two prevalent ones in this industry. Despite the fact that both roles are crucial for upholding safety and order, there are some significant differences between them.
The differences between a detention officer and a correctional officer are covered in this article, along with additional details about careers in law enforcement.
5 Differences in Corrections vs Law Enforcement Officer
Salary and job outlook
Police and corrections officers must possess a high school diploma and complete specialized training programs. Police officers receive specialized training at the police academy, where they participate in both physical and academic training to learn about the law, ethics, and other topics.
Similar training is provided for corrections officers, including physical training and legal studies. Corrections officers train in a stimulating prison where they can learn about the job and practice their skills. Corrections officers need a bachelor’s degree or a certain amount of relevant experience to work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Skills
Both police officers and corrections officers work stressful, physically demanding jobs with a high risk of injury and illness. Both jobs require these skills:
Skills that are special to corrections officers include:
Skills that are special to police officers include:
Responsibilities
Both police officers and corrections officers must complete a sizable amount of paperwork, interact with people to assess risks and hear complaints, and engage in community service. The primary distinction between their roles is that while correctional officers primarily work to prevent crime, police officers frequently respond to crime. Being in a controlled environment makes this easier to accomplish, in contrast to police officers, who are in charge of an entire community and are not always watching everyone.
Correctional officer vs. police officer: The job description
One obvious place to turn when trying to compare these roles is to take a closer look at the duties found in their job descriptions. Correctional officers oversee individuals who’ve been arrested and are awaiting trial or who are serving time in jail or prison, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1
These people are the community you must defend if you work in this capacity. The typical responsibilities of a correctional officer include upholding institutional policies, inspecting facilities, monitoring and documenting inmate behavior, and escorting or transporting inmates.
These officers must be acutely aware of security protocols and precautions, prepared to stop violence, recognize unsafe facility conditions, and act quickly in case of emergencies or escapes. Correctional officers additionally check inmates’ mail, cells, and visitors’ belongings for prohibited items.
Police officers have a substantially different role, according to the BLS. Instead of focusing on the behavior of people in the confine of a correctional facility, they patrol areas, inspect vehicles and crime scenes. Their typical duties include conducting traffic stops, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, writing detailed reports and preparing cases to testify in court. They appear in almost every kind of community throughout the country.
But this hardly even scratches the surface of the variety of police officers that exist. The work that various police officers do varies greatly depending on their station, specialties, and positions. Check out our article, “Behind the Badge: Examining 10 Types of Police Officers,” to get a sense of the different types of officers that exist. ”.
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Correctional officer vs police officer: Work environment
Correctional officers work in jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities, as you might guess from the job description. The BLS reports that among all occupations, correctional officers and jailers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. Officers work in shifts to cover all hours of the year because these facilities must be fully staffed at all times.
Almost every other type of location that is within the territorial jurisdiction of their agency has police officers working there. State patrol officers will probably spend the majority of their time responding to roadside incidents and enforcing traffic laws from inside a moving vehicle. Municipal police may divide their time between patrolling the streets, their precinct, and really anywhere else they are tasked with keeping an eye on According to the BLS, being a police officer can be both physically and mentally taxing. However, they also point out that police officers experience relatively low turnover and that many of them are happy to serve their community.
FAQ
What is the most difficult part of being a correctional officer?
Conflicts at work, exhaustion, a heavy workload, and a lack of resources all cause stress in correctional officers. Daily stress can have an impact on not only your work but also your personal relationships and family life.
Are correctional officers considered law enforcement in Indiana?
Are correctional officers considered law enforcement in NJ?
The custody, safety, and care of prisoners housed in state prisons are the responsibility of the New Jersey State Correctional Police Officer. Join the ranks of New Jersey’s top law enforcement organization to help increase community safety.
What are correctional officers called?
Occupation. Names. Detention officer, Detention deputy, Correctional police officer, Correctional officer
