Crime Prevention Specialist Career

What does a Crime Prevention Specialist do? A Crime Prevention Specialist recognizes, anticipates and appraises the risk of crime at a certain location then takes the necessary actions to reduce or eliminate the risk. Crime prevention specialists often work with law enforcement in community policing divisions where they are involved in their community, working with citizens to develop crime prevention strategies that will make the community a safer place. Some law enforcement department's specialists are sworn officers and some are not this depends on the specific job responsibilities, department and other factors.

Typical Crime Prevention Specialist Job Requirements/Qualifications

Wondering how to become a crime prevention specialist? Positions will often require 1 to 2 years of work experience in the field of law enforcement or crime prevention/resistance with experience implementing crime resistance programs in a community environment and education in a related field of study. Desired education includes college-level courses in justice administration, police science and community relations. A two or four year degree in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, police science or a related field is highly desirable and in some departments required for the position. Those with an associate's or bachelor's level education and work experience will have the greatest opportunities in this field. Crime Prevention Specialist Certification is a nationally recognized certification that many professionals obtain for professional growth and is highly respected and a desired attribute in many departments.

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Crime Prevention Specialist Job Duties

Development of community programs aimed at preventing crime in the community and teaching citizens how to protect themselves are the overall goals for crime prevention specialists. To accomplish these goals crime prevention specialists will conduct crime analysis on the community, then generate initiatives based on the findings to create a program for the targeted community. This plan will include development of youth focused programs, crime prevention marketing within the community, identify and grow leaders within the community, emergency response measures, violence prevention, senior violence prevention programs, and personal safety.

Crime prevention specialists will also develop strategic plans for security of physical structures within a community, such as security officer presence at particular buildings and related deterrents to burglary and vandalism, loss prevention and crime prevention through environmental design. Crime Prevention Specialists are often involved in the development of Homeland Security disaster and emergency response plans.

Loss prevention specialists (LPS) have a similar role to the crime prevention specialist, but most frequently work in the retail sector. Additional related careers include D.A.R.E. Officers and community policing officers.

Crime Prevention Specialist Salary

Salaries across the country vary significantly based on if the individual is a sworn officer or non-sworn officer, location, experience, certification and other factors. A recent salary survey of job postings for this career found that crime prevention specialists can earn anywhere from $30,000 to well over $50,000 annually, depending on the afore mentioned factors. A good place to research salaries in your geographic area would be with the local police department, sheriff's department, your state's department of justice (these jobs will often require a bachelor's degree), and any other law enforcement agency you might be interested in pursuing a career with.