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Law Enforcement Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$106K/yr

... law enforcement leadership, online campus, and general training. Additional information on our instructor positions may be found here. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees ...

$79K - $100K/yr

We are seeking experienced and highly qualified Advanced Law Enforcement Tactics Instructors to ... Instructor certifications related to firearms, tactical operations, defensive tactics, or emergency ...

$79K - $100K/yr

We are seeking experienced and highly qualified Advanced Law Enforcement Tactics Instructors to ... Instructor certifications related to firearms, tactical operations, defensive tactics, or emergency ...

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Law Enforcement Instructor information

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$35.5K

$88.8K

$136.5K

How much do law enforcement instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for law enforcement instructor in the United States is $88,815.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Law Enforcement Instructor Do?

A law enforcement instructor provides initial training to recruits and professional development or continuing education to experienced law enforcement personnel. You can work as a law enforcement instructor at a police academy or a federal agency. Your duties and responsibilities include curriculum development, lesson planning, teaching courses about laws and regulations, diversity, physical fitness, defensive tactics, first aid, firearms proficiency, and vehicle operations, and evaluating the performance and learning of your students. Your recommendations as a law enforcement instructor have the potential to impact the career path of your recruits.

What is the difference between Law Enforcement Instructor vs Police Academy Instructor?

AspectLaw Enforcement InstructorPolice Academy Instructor
CredentialsPeace officer certification, law enforcement training certificationsSimilar law enforcement credentials, often with additional academy-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentVaries; police departments, security agencies, training centersPrimarily in police academies or training academies
Employer & IndustryLaw enforcement agencies, security firmsPolice academies, law enforcement training institutions
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Both roles involve training law enforcement personnel, but a Law Enforcement Instructor may work in various settings, while a Police Academy Instructor specifically teaches at police academies. The credentials and work environment are similar, with the main difference being the setting of employment.

What are Law Enforcement Instructors?

Law Enforcement Instructors are professionals who train and educate current and aspiring law enforcement officers. They design and deliver courses on topics such as criminal law, defensive tactics, firearms safety, investigation techniques, and community policing. These instructors often have extensive experience in law enforcement themselves and use real-world scenarios to prepare students for the demands of police work. Their role is critical in ensuring that officers are well-prepared, knowledgeable, and follow best practices in the field.

What are some typical challenges faced by Law Enforcement Instructors in balancing classroom instruction with field training?

Law Enforcement Instructors often navigate the challenge of balancing comprehensive classroom instruction with practical, real-world field training. Ensuring that trainees understand theoretical concepts while also mastering hands-on skills requires careful planning and adaptability. Instructors must continuously update training materials to reflect current laws and best practices, and often collaborate closely with other instructors, field officers, and administrative staff. Effective communication and time management are essential to provide a well-rounded learning experience and maintain a safe, productive training environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Law Enforcement Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Law Enforcement Instructor, you need extensive law enforcement experience, subject matter expertise, and relevant certifications such as instructor credentials from recognized police academies. Familiarity with training technologies, simulation tools, curriculum development software, and ongoing legal education is often required. Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring abilities help instructors effectively engage trainees and foster a positive learning environment. These skills and qualifications ensure instructors can deliver relevant, up-to-date training that prepares officers for real-world challenges and maintains public safety standards.
What cities are hiring for Law Enforcement Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Law Enforcement Instructor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Law Enforcement Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Law Enforcement Instructor jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Law Enforcement Instructor jobs? The top employers for Law Enforcement Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Law Enforcement Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Law Enforcement Instructor jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Law Enforcement Instructor jobs? For Law Enforcement Instructor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Law Enforcement Instructor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,815 per year, or $42.7 per hour.
Law Enforcement Specialist (Instructor)

$106K/yr

Other

Posted 2 days ago


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

83rd of 274 rated public sector bodies


Job description

"The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), through strategic partnerships, prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard America's people, property, and institutions." We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our Nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more.
This announcement is a part of the Voluntary Applicant File (VAF). See Duties for more information.Qualifications:A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements
This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF). If your resume does not demonstrate possession of the SPF, you will be rated ineligible.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In order to be considered for this position you must:

A. Possess experience as a sworn law enforcement officer or agent with full arrest authority in the prevention, detection, apprehension, detention and/or investigation of felony and/or misdemeanor violations of federal, state, local, tribal, or military criminal laws;
-OR-
B. Have held a federal civilian position in the 1801 occupational series.

-AND-
Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the federal service, or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing the following duties:
  • Performing law enforcement duties directly related to the topical area(s) for which you are applying. -OR-
  • Instructing law enforcement training curricula in the topical area(s) for which you are applying
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
The law enforcement topical areas for which we are accepting applications include: firearms, driver training, marine training, maritime, active shooter, behavioral science, general investigative skills, counterterrorism, physical techniques, tactical medicine, financial fraud, forensics and special investigations, digital photography/video, electronic surveillance, cyber/digital forensics, enforcement operations, law enforcement leadership, online campus, and general training. Additional information on our instructor positions may be found here.
Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.
Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Physical Techniques Instructors: The work requires repetitive long distance running (1 to 3 miles several times daily), repetitive calisthenics, lifting moderate to heavy weights, and considerable physical exertion during the demonstration, instruction and active participation in other physical fitness related activities which include: warm-ups which involve multiple sets of calisthenics and flexibility exercises; strength training requiring full range of motion in all joints; cardiovascular training with the ability to perform a variety of cardiovascular training modes; calisthenics enabling you to perform calisthenics sessions for 30-45 minutes continuously and repetitively; and anaerobic training with the ability to perform sprints of various distances varying 30 feet to 440 yards. As such you will undergo a:

  1. Physical Examination. This is a routine physical examination in accordance with Optional Form 178. No invasive procedures will be included (e.g., blood work); AND
  2. Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) test. A fitness test consisting of five different elements, you must pass with a minimum 40 percentile in each event. PEB score charts delineated by age and gender may be found here.

Firearms Instructors:

  1. Firearms Proficiency test. This is the standard 60-round course of fire used in the Firearms Instructor Training Program (FITP). A minimum score of 85%, which equates to 255 points out of a possible 300, is considered passing.
Note: Secondary Administrative Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Retirement Coverage is offered for most of the positions advertised. If selected, you will be offered LEO retirement coverage if approval is available from DHS at the time of the official offer.
Transfer Requirement for CSRS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a primary position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause) and/or voluntary breaks in service that began prior to January 20, 1988.
Transfer Requirement for FERS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Have completed 3 years of service in a primary position, including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a rigorous position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause).
Pub. Law 114-285 grants the FLETC approval to hire retired federal employees with law enforcement/investigative experience to meet the expanding mission of the FLETC. Individuals may be selected for time-limited positions with eligibility for the dual-compensation waiver. The dual-compensation waiver allows retirees to return to work, earning their full salary with no offset to their FERS annuity. However, this waiver does not exempt the FERS annuity supplement from being reduced. Therefore, FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement, must be aware that like social security benefits, the FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM.

FLETC Reemployed Annuitants | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
If selected, federal retirees will be eligible for a waiver of the dual compensation reduction. Click here for more information.

Education:Not Applicable
Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003