What Is a Police Officer?
Police officers work to protect lives and property and provide general law enforcement support at the local, state and federal levels of government. Police officers who work out in the communities are generally assigned to different jurisdictions that they patrol and protect. Many police officers respond to emergency calls and work to apprehend individuals who have broken the law.
In addition, police officers supervise traffic operations as they canvass their jurisdictions, or they may be specifically assigned to traffic patrol. They often write citations for broken traffic laws. Police officers aide in the investigation of crime scenes by securing the area and taking suspects into custody. They also assist in the collection of evidence and interviewing of witnesses on the scene.
Police officers must be honest, have a strong sense of duty and pledge to fearlessly protect the common good. They must also be able to withstand the physical demands of the job, which can include running to catch suspects and forcibly apprehending them in order to make an arrest.
How to Become a Police Officer
In order to become a police officer, an applicant must have at least a high school education and be at least 21 years old. To work in some departments, or to work at the state or national levels, a candidate typically needs one to two years of college coursework, a bachelor’s degree, or extensive work experience in order to qualify.
Candidates must be at a high level of physical fitness when they apply in order to pass a fitness test. Candidates for a police officer position have to undergo a background check. Those with substantial traffic violations, crime convictions or other indiscretions will most likely not be accepted. Candidates must then pass the civil service exam, and those with the best scores will enhance their potential of being hired. Candidates also take a physical exam which tests vision, hearing, agility, and strength.
Those who pass all their exams and have no major record violations will move on to sit for polygraph tests, drug tests and a series of interviews by the police department. If accepted, an individual must attend three months to a year of training at the police academy.
Police Officer Career Outlook & Salary
The overall career outlook for police officers is expected to be good within the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of police officers and detectives is expected to increase by 10% from 2008 to 2018, which as about as fast as the growth for all occupations. The main reason for the employment growth will be related to normal population growth.
In 2008, police and sheriff’s patrol officers had median annual wages of $51,410. The middle 50% made between $38,850 and $64,940. The highest 10% of earners made more than $79,680, and the lowest 10% earned below $30,070. For police officers in federal government, median annual wages were $46,620, and those employed at the state level made about $57,270. Employees in local government made a median wage of $51,020, and police officers in educational services made $43,350.
Police officers who show the most dedication to the field, logical reasoning abilities, and strength under pressure will have the best chances for advancement.
