The public safety industry's goal is to provide services and products that ensure the safety of people and property. More than 3.4 million people work in protective service occupations in the United States. The industry can be divided into two primary segments: government agencies and commercial agencies. Government public safety agencies, at the federal, state, regional, and local levels, continued to outnumber commercial agencies throughout the 2010s. Most public safety workers work for government agencies such as the police force, sheriff's department, or fire department. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, and similar organizations are examples of public safety organizations at the federal level.

Commercial public safety companies primarily specialize in security. Individuals or businesses hire them to guard people or property, whether the property is a home or commercial facility. These security companies may also act as consultants and advise clients on how to keep their facilities more secure, and they may also work on site to develop security systems for sensitive areas.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the public safety industry has grown. Terrorist attacks and shootings in public places such as schools and universities have led to an increase in demand for protection. Whether it's installing a security system or hiring workers to guard their properties, there has been more business for nongovernment agencies, and more work for government public protection organizations.

The most prevalent jobs in public safety are related to the police force: police officer, investigator or detective, and prison guards. Firefighters, EMT workers, and highway patrol officers are another large group of workers. In the private sector, most workers are security guards, private investigators, or security consultants. Computer forensic investigator is an occu...