Criminal Justice

Information for this sector includes careers in law enforcement, prison services, probation and rehabilitation, and trading standards.

You may also be interested in information on legal services.

Find out more in Prospects Law enforcement and security

Job profiles

Skills and qualities

You are likely to need some or all of the following skills and attributes for work in this sector:

  • Communication skills (written and spoken)
  • Ability to assimilate and communicate information (eg legislation, data)
  • Empathy and non-judgmental approach
  • Negotiation and motivational skills
  • Ability to stay calm under pressure
  • Resilience
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Planning/organisation
  • Problem solving
  • Project management
  • Investigation and observation
  • Community and customer focus

Work experience

Look for work experience to help you develop the skills, and demonstrate the personal qualities, needed for a career in this sector.  Work experience, paid or voluntary, with vulnerable groups or those with challenging behaviour will be particularly valuable.

Finding jobs

  • Police Now offers two national graduate programmes: National Graduate Leadership Programme and National Detective Programme 
  • Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Legal Trainee Scheme - for law graduates interested in becoming prosecutors. Trainees receive on-the-job training, mentoring, and development opportunities to handle criminal cases and work towards becoming qualified prosecutors. 
  • Probation Officer Training Programme - Trainees undergo a structured training programme, combining classroom learning with practical experience in probation settings, to develop the skills needed to support and supervise offenders in the community.
  • Make the most of any chances to build relevant skills - getting involved in college life, societies or part-time work will give you opportunities to use communication skills, team building, negotiation and planning skills for example.
  • Volunteer with Careers and Placements volunteering projects.  Think about the groups you might work with in your future job and get experience with them - projects related to young people, the elderly, and mental health will all help.
  • City of York Council advertise for volunteers, including Appropriate Adults (occasional demand) and volunteers for the Youth Offending Team
  • YUSU Nightsafe scheme (usually recruits in March for the following academic year, and offers comprehensive training; register your interest on their web page)
  • You could also consider volunteering in victim support or with the police.
  • Use York profiles and mentors - find police profiles in "Armed forces and emergency services" sector

Find the full list of graduate profiles on York Profiles and Mentors.