Law Enforcement
Mr. Tommy Johnson
A career in law enforcement is more than a job—it’s a commitment to service, justice, and protecting others. Officers play a vital role in keeping communities safe, maintaining order, and upholding the values of fairness and responsibility. The work can be challenging and sometimes dangerous, but it is also deeply rewarding because it touches lives every day. Students in our program begin building the communication, awareness, and decision-making skills needed to succeed in this important field.
Our Law Enforcement program is part of the South Carolina Public Service & Safety Career Cluster. This is a one-year program, and students must be prepared to complete the full year of coursework and training. Instruction introduces students to the fundamentals of policing, corrections, and public safety while preparing them with certifications and experiences that strengthen both career readiness and future study in criminal justice.
What you’ll do:
- Learn the history, structure, and roles of law enforcement agencies
- Study criminal law, ethics, and community relations
- Practice defensive tactics, investigations, and emergency response
- Explore career opportunities in policing, corrections, and public safety
Certifications you can earn:
- Tier 1: OSHA-10, Stop the Bleed, IS-907 Active Shooter: What You Can Do
- Tier 2: First Aid/CPR/AED, YouScience Industry Certification: Criminal Justice 1
- Tier 3: National Incident Management System Certification, YouScience Industry Certification: Criminal Justice 2
Students earn two high school credits over the course of the year. Credits count as electives toward South Carolina graduation requirements, and one credit may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement.
Visit us:Are you interested in meeting Mr. Bowser and touring our Law Enforcement lab? After-school tours for prospective students and parents are available in December, January, and February. We’d love to show you the program and answer any questions you may have.
Law Enforcement 1 & 2: Full One-Year Program — Start to Finish
Law Enforcement 1 & 2 — (AM and PM Session at Enoree)
Law Enforcement 1 & 2 introduces students to the fundamentals of policing, corrections, and public safety in a one-year program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on training, practical skill development, and scenario-based learning. Open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, students attend Enoree Career Center during the morning session and earn two high school credits upon completion. The course focuses on safety, professionalism, communication, leadership, and ethical decision-making while building the essential knowledge needed for entry-level work in criminal justice or preparation for advanced study and future careers in law enforcement after graduation.
Students study the history, structure, and functions of law enforcement agencies while exploring criminal law, ethics, and community relations. Training also includes practical skills such as defensive tactics, crime scene basics, and emergency response procedures. Instruction emphasizes communication, decision-making, and teamwork—skills that are critical in law enforcement and public service careers.
By the end of the year, students will have completed OSHA-10, Stop the Bleed, First Aid/CPR/AED, and introductory YouScience Criminal Justice certifications, with the opportunity to test for additional credentials in National Incident Management and advanced criminal justice pathways. Students leave the program with recognized industry certifications, practical experience, and a strong foundation for pursuing careers in law enforcement, corrections, or related fields.
Career Opportunities
Corrections Officer
Corrections officers work in facilities that incarcerate minors, ensuring the safety and well-being of staff, fellow officers, and the minors themselves. The main duties revolve around keeping a close watch on inmates, regularly keeping headcount, conducting searches for contraband, documenting behaviors, and communicating with inmates to provide support and mentorship that will help them lead a better life.
Salary- $42,103 per year on average, or $20.24 per hour
Military Police Officer (MP)
Military police take the roles of both peacekeepers and soldiers. Their job entails more responsibilities and duties than their civilian counterparts, making it more complicated. MP's are charged with providing security services to both military bases and the world in general. They also investigate minor crimes and conduct other law enforcement functions. They can make arrests, enforce martial law, and perform patrol duties.
Salary - $44,919 per year on average, or $21.59 per hour
Police Officer
Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow the law. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.
Salary - $52,638 per year on average, or $25.31 per hour
Job Skills & Requirements
Each skill and trade requires a specific skill set to master the content and job tasks. Below are a few critical skills and requirements needed to succeed in the program and throughout a career in this field.
- Adaptability: The success of law enforcement operations depends on the ability to adapt to and with individuals within an environment that can change at any given moment.
- Communication: From implementing de-escalation strategies to building trust within communities, police communication skills are critical for law enforcement today.
- Decision-making: In addition to tactical training, incorporating decision-making skills into law enforcement training is critical for safety and success.
- Emotional control: It can strengthen your willpower, allow you to focus on your task at hand, and make better decisions under pressure.
- Teamwork: Police departments use teamwork in law enforcement to take advantage of in-house resources, pair important skills and reach out to other departments and agencies to solve and eliminate crimes. Often, teams within the police can be more efficient and more effective than individual officers and detectives working solo or in a vacuum.
Available Certification Opportunities
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Local Work-Based Learning Partners
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NOTE: Credits earned will count as electives needed for the SC high school graduation requirements. One of the credits earned may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement for SC high school graduation. Most 4-year colleges will NOT accept career center courses as a substitute for the foreign language college admissions requirement.