Expert: Loren Stevens - 4/25/2007

Question
I am interested to know if law enforment organizations employ people that do not have policing power for things such as research, profiling, case managment, ect. and if so, what duties might they perform?

Answer
Hello Jeremy,
Yes, law enforcement organizations due in fact employ a civilian staff. The positions vary, from agency to agency, depending on their size, and duties.
Commissioned officers/agents are generally charged with those assignments where powers of arrest are an integral aspect of their mission(s).
Non police personnel are essentially viewed as "support" staff.
You'll discover that many of these positions are filled by commissioned officers though. This is generally due to injured officers, officers on light-duty,officers on rehab, recovering from one malady or another.
Typically, these positions include: Crime analysis, clerical, photography, Finger-print Tech, "Cold" case investigations, Regulatory inspections, Inventory control, etc.
You'll probably want to talk to somebody working Human Resources, or Personnel, or Recruiting, in order to get specific details on civilian positions, coupled with associated requirements to each position.
Do this at an agency you have an interest in.
Good Luck,
Regards,
loren