What Is a Court Police Officer?

Court police officers provide court houses with security and help maintain order in federal, state and local court rooms. They also assist judges with enforcing court room rules and protect juries from outside contact.

Types

In the federal judicial system, court police officers are referred to as U.S marshals and deputy marshals. In other court rooms they are called court officers or bailiffs.

Function

Court officers stand as security during court room hearings, provide witness security and transport prisoners to and from jail. They also help file criminal complaints with the courts.

Features

Court officers must be at least 21 years old, have a bachelor's degree or valid work experience and a valid state driver's license, according to the website JobMonkey.

Benefits

Court officers are provided with retirement plans, health insurance and paid vacation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, court officers earned a median salary of a little over $38,000 per year in 2008.

Considerations

Federal court officers train for 17 weeks at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy in Georgia. The training includes fitness tests as well as seven exams that must be passed with a 70 percent or higher score.

References

• United States Marshals Services: Basic Training Academy
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Correctional Officers
• Job Monkey.com: Court Officers -- Marshals