Public Safety Careers: In-Depth Guide

Public safety is a cornerstone of civilization. Safe neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces foster trust among individuals, creating a rich fabric of common values amid cultural and religious diversity. This is the ideal public safety officials strive for in their jobs, whether in law enforcement, building safety, or homeland security.

Which Types of Jobs Are Available in Public Safety?

Public safety encompasses all the activities associated with maintaining a healthy and safe public environment. Law enforcement is only one front in the battle for safe communities. Other opportunities for public safety work exist in:

• Public administration. Federal social service and regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Aviation Administration(FAA), and many others focus on different aspects of public well being.
• Homeland security. This decade-old federal department was created after the September 11 terrorist attacks to protect U.S. citizens from terrorism and natural disasters. It includes FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Association, which manages public safety in the wake of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters.
• Event and facility security. Private security officers and their supervisors keep the peace at large public events and facilities.
• Occupational safety. Businesses and public agents create and enforce policies to minimize the risk of workplace injury. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the main federal agency regulating commercial activities in the interest of public safety.
• Building safety. Building inspectors ensure that civic structures such as buildings and bridges are structurally sound.

Depending on the role you choose, you may spend your time managing administrators or security staff, planning safety strategy, or patrolling and inspecting sites. Public safety officers may confront dangerous situations, particularly if they work on the front lines in law enforcement. But for many public safety professionals, the satisfaction of protecting the general public outweighs the hazards of the job.

Formal Training Required to Work in Public Safety

Most public safety jobs require formal training. Front-line public safety officers such as police officers, security guards, and some regulatory inspectors qualify for an entry-level job with a high school diploma and a certificate. Law enforcement departments generally require police academy training, which takes about 12 to 14 weeks to complete. To advance into a management or administrative role, you'll need a college degree in public safety. Options include:

• Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, public safety, or security management
• Master of Science in public safety administration or management
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in public safety management
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Degrees in public safety are available online to accommodate mid-career working professionals. The bachelor's takes approximately four years to complete, and the master's, an additional year or two. Courses cover public safety administration, fiscal management, public safety law, social responsibility, and organizational behavior.

The Typical Career Path of Someone Working in Public Safety

Start your public safety career working on the front lines as a police officer, security guard, or an administrator at a public safety center. With a college degree, you may head directly into public administration, working as an administrator or assistant. Experience takes you into supervisory and strategy roles. Specialized public safety training can help you establish yourself as an expert in a specific area, such as infrastructure security or building inspection. Some high-level public safety administrators leverage their service record to run for elected office.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Someone Working in Public Safety

Public safety officers are always in demand, whether as administrators in a government department of public safety such as OSHA, officers in law enforcement departments, or consultants with a private security company. Federal funding for public safety jobs has increased significantly in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, providing opportunities for public safety officers and administrators focused on homeland security.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the following estimates for public safety jobs:

• Police and detectives should see average employment growth over the 2008 to 2018 decade, with a 10 percent increase in jobs. Patrol officers earned a median salary $53,210 in 2009, while supervisors brought home $76,500.
• Occupational health and safety technicians can expect 14 percent job growth over the same period. Earnings stood at $44,830 in 2009.
• Security guards should see favorable opportunities in a field with high turnover and a predicted 14 percent surge in available jobs. The median annual wage came in at $23,820 in 2009.

Public administrators for government agencies face varied job prospects, but overall the public sector should increase spending in the years ahead. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 10 percent growth in federal jobs. Cyber security is among the areas of highest anticipated demand.

Public safety training prepares you to promote safety in your community. Whether you work as a public safety officer for law enforcement, for a public safety center, a federal department of public safety, or a private security firm, you'll enjoy the satisfaction of providing a fundamental public service: personal security.