In today’s society, the emphasis on physical evidence in the courtroom is greater than ever. Quite of
ten, a conviction can be made entirely on the basis of the photographs taken at the crime scene.
As the demand for physical evidence increases, so does the need for well-documented photographs. This has created many career possibilities in law enforcement photography.
What is law enforcement photography?
Police departments and other law enforcement organizations such as the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the US Customs Service all offer careers in law enforcement photography, as do prosecutors’ offices, law firms, and private consulting firms.
Working in a law enforcement photo lab is a busy, technically complex and interesting way to use your photographic expertise. Police photographers must have the ability to take professional portraits and the skill to do forensic photography as well.
They are often partnered with detectives to get photos ready for court or for the media. Photographers are involved in the entire process – from taking photos to developing, recording and cataloging them for future reference.
Earnings
Depending on the specific job, the salary for careers in law enforcement photography can span a wide range. Photo lab technicians and people in other positions that require a high school diploma earn beginning salaries in the low $20,000s. Full-time photographers with bachelor’s or master’s degrees earn average salaries of $40,000.
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For more information on careers in law enforcement, please visit Legal Degree Programs
