A number use their psychological training as springboards to careers as therapists, psychologists and counselors. Criminology is a relatively modern science, and emerged on two levels simultaneously. National interest in the cause and effects of criminal behavior sparked the FBI to commission a number of studies of federal crimes and criminals in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At the same time, economic and political pressure led urban police departments to commission studies on a much smaller level. The successes of these two endeavors in preventing crime became evident immediately.
Criminologists face much the same demand as sociologists in general.
Police departments are loathe to lay off street officers compared with easily replaceable criminologists. Currently, applicants face a competitive market. This bottleneck of qualified candidates for limited positions is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. These years are marked by low responsibility, average hours, and average levels of pay. Much of the time is spent learning the specific methods, protocols and procedures involved in law enforcement.