Police Officer
A police officer is a professional responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining public safety at various levels, including federal, state, and local jurisdictions. Their primary duties involve investigating criminal activities, making arrests, interviewing witnesses, and managing traffic flow, particularly during emergencies or crime scenes. Police officers generally work in diverse environments, including patrols in urban areas and within police stations, where they handle administrative tasks and conduct investigations. The role often involves significant physical and psychological demands, as officers face potentially dangerous situations and the stress of interacting with the public, including victims and suspects.
To qualify for this career, candidates typically need a high school diploma and some postsecondary education, often in law enforcement or criminal justice. Police training includes attending a police academy for both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The job outlook for police officers is positive, with a projected growth rate of about 4% over the next decade. While the compensation is competitive, officers also receive benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Despite being viewed as community protectors, police officers may encounter challenges related to public trust, especially in communities with strained relationships with law enforcement.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Police Officer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Government & Public Administration, Law, Public Safety & Security
Interests: Public safety, law enforcement, criminal justice, security, psychology, sociology, investigation
Earnings (Yearly Median): $74,910 per year $36.02 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 4 percent growth between 2023–33
Entry-Level Education Some formal postsecondary education
Related Work Experience Detective, security guard
On-the-job-Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Police officers enforce federal, state, and local laws. They investigate criminal activity; arrest suspects; interview witnesses; redirect traffic flow around accidents, construction, and crime scenes; and intervene in public disturbances. Police patrol and monitor the streets and other designated areas. They are trained to use both nonlethal and lethal force in subduing criminals and have a variety of other police powers granted by law. Some police are uniformed, using patrol cars and other marked vehicles, while others are detectives and investigators, who wear civilian clothes while on duty. The duties of police officers vary based on the department's size and the community they serve.
Work Environment. Police officers are based in police stations, where they interview witnesses and suspects, detain suspects, conduct investigations, and perform administrative duties. On patrol and at the scenes of criminal activity, police officers face considerable dangers and stresses. The psychological impact on police officers comes from confrontations with suspects and the trauma of witnessing crime and accident scenes. Police generally work forty- to sixty-hour workweeks, sometimes longer. Since police work is needed twenty-four hours daily, shifts may encompass late nights and holidays. Police are often on their feet while on duty and work in all types of weather.
Occupation Interest. Police officers protect people from crime and rescue people from emergencies, such as vehicular accidents, muggings, and assaults. The work is rarely dull or routine; many aspiring police officers are attracted to the adrenaline rush of chasing down a suspect or otherwise capturing dangerous individuals. Police officers are often considered community heroes, particularly after high-profile incidents. However, some communities must deal with widespread distrust and even fear of the police. This can contribute to an often high-stress environment for officers. Still, many are attracted to the challenge of improving the reputation of law enforcement and conducting outreach among underserved populations. The demand for police officers continues to grow, even during periods of recession, though variations in state and local budgets can significantly influence job prospects from year to year. Although police officers receive average compensation despite the dangers and stresses of their work, they also receive excellent benefits, including life insurance, health insurance, and retirement plans.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Police officers maintain order and enforce federal, state, and local laws. They patrol designated areas on foot, horseback, motorcycle, and bicycle, as well as in squad cars and other motor vehicles. Police respond to emergency calls or otherwise intervene when they see criminal activity. They interview witnesses, detain people of interest and suspects, and record information about the incident. Police also stop motor vehicle drivers for speeding and other safety violations, investigate accident scenes to assess whether a crime has been committed, and obtain warrants to search homes, offices, cars, and other personal property.
Police duties also include protecting and educating citizens. Police officers serve as first responders in an accident or other medical emergency. They administer first aid, protect victims by keeping crowds away, and enable emergency vehicles to promptly arrive, care for victims, and transport them to the hospital. Additionally, police must testify in civil and criminal court cases when called upon by prosecutors and other attorneys. Police officers also educate children and adults about the dangers of drugs, stranger abductions, child and spousal abuse, identity theft, terrorism, and other criminal activities.
Police officers’ responsibilities vary based on the size of the police force and the community they serve. Large, urban police forces may have police officers, plainclothes detectives, and police patrolmen assigned to specific units, such as narcotics or robbery. Officers in smaller departments may perform multiple duties.
State Highway Police Officers (375.263-018). State highway police officers patrol state highways within an assigned area in vehicles equipped with two-way radios to enforce motor vehicle and criminal laws.
Special Agents (375.167-042). Special agents investigate alleged or suspected criminal violations of federal, state, and local laws to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution. They analyze the type of complaint or charge and help identify the issues involved and the types of evidence needed.
Internal Affairs Investigators (375.267-034). Internal affairs investigators investigate complaints filed against police officers by citizens by interviewing the individual making the complaint and obtaining facts concerning the protests. They conduct an investigation using witnesses and tangible evidence and submit their report to the commanding officer for review.
Deputy Sheriffs (377.263-010). Deputy sheriffs maintain law and order and serve the legal processes of the courts. They patrol an assigned area to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and arrest violators. They also serve subpoenas and transport or escort prisoners between prisons, courtrooms, and medical facilities.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Police officers are based in police stations, which tend to be well-organized, busy environments governed by strict procedures. Much of police officers’ work is performed in locations throughout the community, including private residences, offices and businesses, and public roadways.
Human Environment. Police officers interact with all members of the general public, including victims of crime and suspects. Additionally, they work with attorneys, judges, and other public safety officials, such as firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and federal law enforcement officers. Depending on their area of specialization, police work as members of a local police force, at a state highway patrol facility, or in any number of federal departments and bureaus of law enforcement, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Technological Environment. Police officers use different types of technology when on patrol or performing investigative work versus in the station. In addition to weapons of lethal (including handguns and shotguns) and non-lethal (such as Mace and Tasers) force, officers use laptop computers, radar guns, two-way radios, cellular and smartphones, and global positioning satellite systems (GPS). In the station, police officers use the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, ballistics information networks such as the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IAFIS), photoimaging and crime-mapping software, and basic office software systems.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in police work are encouraged to take psychology, physical education, government, history, communications, speech, foreign languages, and social studies. Proficiency in a widely used foreign language, such as Spanish or Chinese, can be a great advantage when applying for future jobs or pursuing career advancement.
Postsecondary. Most police officers have some formal postsecondary education. Many attend junior and community colleges, receiving an associate’s degree in law enforcement, security, or a related field. Many other police officers complete a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, and similar occupations. Many departments, agencies, and states have programs that reimburse officers or pay for their tuition at these institutions. Before joining the force, police candidates must enter a state or local police academy, receiving months of relevant classroom and hands-on training.
Related Occupations
− Federal Law Enforcement Agent
− Inspector and Compliance Officer
− Parole and Probation Officer
− Security and Fire Alarm System Installer
Bibliography
"How to Become a Police Officer." Indeed, 3 Sept. 2024, www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-police-officer. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
"Police and Detectives." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 29 Aug. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.