7 Best Jobs for Retired Police Officers

Not all police officers who retire are ready to leave the job market entirely. Some would be more than happy to have a part-time job, and others have retired early from law enforcement because they were considering a career change.

Suppose you are a former police officer or are currently thinking about retiring and starting a new career. In that case, you might be wondering which job opportunities would allow you to put your skills and experience to good use.

These seven jobs for retired police officers should inspire you on your new path.

Job #1: Private investigator

Many retired police officers decide to become private investigators, which allows them to work for a variety of clients and to decide how many cases they want to handle all at once. With some training and a license, you could work as a private investigator, too.

You could be hired to investigate potential fraud, conduct background checks, provide surveillance services for a business or an individual, interview the witnesses of a crime, or search for a missing person. As a former police officer, cooperating with the police on some of your assignments should come easily.

Job #2: Security guard

During your career as a police officer, you have learned how to respond to different incidents. Now that you have retired from law enforcement, you could choose to work as a security guard to help prevent violence, theft and vandalism.

You will need a security guard license to work in this career. Security guards can work for an individual, a business, a security firm, or a company that ensures security during different events. Depending on where they work, the job of security guards can be about preventing illegal activities, conducting security checks, controlling access to a property, and quickly responding to crises.

Job #3: Bodyguard

If staying fit and active is a priority for you, you could consider becoming a bodyguard after retiring from law enforcement. The job of a bodyguard can be similar to the job of a security guard. Still, the focus is on protecting a celebrity, a business executive, a political leader, or anyone who might get targeted by criminal organizations or individuals with malicious intents.

Your duties could involve protecting your client from harassment and assault, searching vehicles and buildings to ensure their safety, conducting security checks, and planning travel routes to get to their destination while avoiding potential problems.

Job #4: Personal trainer

If you enjoy physical activity and don’t want to risk becoming sedentary after retiring from law enforcement, you could get certified to work as a personal trainer. Depending on your skills and preferences, you could teach martial arts or weapons training or simply work as a health and fitness coach.

Your expertise, guidance, and drive could prove invaluable for someone who needs a boost of motivation to help them achieve their goals and ambitions. Plus, working as a personal trainer would help you stay healthy and fit as well.

Job #5: Corrections officer

Working as a corrections officer is another good example of a job for retired police officers. Corrections officers work in a prison or correctional facility, and their duties involve supervising inmates, managing them, and interacting with them.

If you love helping people and acting as a positive influence, this could be an interesting new career for you. You would get plenty of opportunities to speak with inmates and help guide them towards a better life path.

Similarly, you could become a parole officer to help ex-prisoners reintegrate society and change their lives for the best.

Job #6: Loss prevention specialist

If you enjoy solving problems, you could become a loss prevention specialist. A loss prevention specialist helps retailers and warehouse owners find solutions to prevent and stop shoplifting, employee theft, and vandalism.

Your experience in law enforcement could be a great asset for this job, as the duties of a loss prevention specialist involve monitoring surveillance footage, training staff on security procedures, questioning suspects, and contacting the police when necessary.

Loss prevention specialists can help their clients save a lot of money by helping them protect their inventory from theft and damage.

Job #7: Cybersecurity expert

If you enjoy working with computers, you could train as a cybersecurity expert. Cyberattacks can be difficult to counteract, and the cybersecurity field needs people with law enforcement experience.

Your duties could involve protecting a computer network, monitoring attempted breaches, preventing attacks, securing sensitive data, and identifying risks and threats, among other things.

Protecting an organization from attacks or cybercriminals can be a rewarding career, as long as you are good with technology or willing to learn what it takes to work in cybersecurity.

Those are just a few examples of jobs that could be perfect for retired police officers, but many more could be considered.