Police Officer: Job Description, Duties & Training

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), jobs for police officers are expected to grow 5% from 2019-2029, which is considered faster than average for all occupations. Salary and job availability varies greatly upon city size and crime rates; in general, smaller cities offer lower pay than larger communities with higher crime rates and greater needs for a large police force. Pay differs greatly depending upon the size of the police department and the crime statistics within its jurisdiction, but most police officers follow structured pay scales and receive comprehensive benefits.

Police Officer Duties and Responsibilities

A police officer job description includes the performance of a variety of duties, including pursuing criminals and filing reports. Some of the many duties charged to police officers are:

• Investigating break-ins
• Making arrests
• Patrolling areas within police jurisdiction
• Responding to 911 calls
• Directing traffic
• Filing reports
• Recording witness accounts of crimes
• Giving first aid to victims in need
• Calming disputes
• Serving as a public liaison to enhance police image

Police officers employed on the state level often provide assistance to smaller or rural police departments. Although there are general tasked expected to be performed by all officers, some police officer job descriptions become more diverse or specific because of specializations. Some officers specialize in chemical analysis, special weapons and tactics (SWAT), fingerprint identification and motorcycle or bicycle patrol.

Police officers are given more privileges than the average citizen and have the authority to carry weapons and make arrests. These privileges mean that officers are charged with added responsibilities. Along with fulfilling their other policeman duties, officers are expected to remain impartial, treat every citizen with respect and offer the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. One of the most important responsibilities of a police officer is to take the role of law enforcement seriously.

Police Officer Skills:

Police officers are expected to perform many tasks and are therefore expected to have the following skills:

• Physical strength
• Quick decision-making ability
• Emotional health
• Dedication
• Assertiveness
• Fortitude

Police officers should be prepared to work on a flexible schedule because they are needed around the clock. They generally work 40-hour work weeks, but shifts can vary and paid overtime is not uncommon. It is typical for officers to be called in to work suddenly if there is a particularly high workload at the department. Junior officers typically work more holidays and weekends than senior officers.

Police officers are also expected to be constantly alert and exercise sound judgment in threatening situations. Officers are expected to handle a variety of situations in many different environments and to treat individuals with respect even if physical force becomes a necessity. Police work brings with it inherent danger, stress, and a significant amount of pressure, so mental fortitude and resilience is important. Because of the frequent exposure to high-stress situations, it is particularly important that officers are aware of their own mental health. Many police departments provide officers with access to psychologists who help officers to cope with the stress of the job, particularly after experiencing a violent or traumatic event.

Police officers must be physically fit, emotionally balanced, and act rationally to do their job effectively. They typically work many hours on a fluctuating schedule. No formal education beyond a high school diploma (or its equivalent) is needed, though some jurisdictions may require college coursework. College degrees are also not uncommon among officers, and holding a post-secondary degree can help to advance an officer's career. Popular options for officers in terms of undergraduate degrees include criminology and criminal justice. These majors prepare individuals for careers in law enforcement and include classes in academic fields such as law, psychology, and communication.

In order to gain the necessary skills required to fulfill the demanding responsibilities found in a police officer job description, all officers go through intense training in police academies. The practices and curricula of these academies vary from state to state, yet they have in common a number of features. Police academies teach officers about the laws and regulations which they will be upholding while on the job, and rules about how officers can behave and interact with civilians is also covered. Police officers also go through rigorous physical training during the police academy as officers are expected to be in good physical shape. How to handle a firearm and other weapons skillfully and responsibly is also part of police academy training.

An important element to police training is also learning about the moral and ethical code which officers are expected to uphold, which includes respecting different cultures and diversity among society. Programs for officers also include teaching about emotional and social intelligence. These intelligences are not only important for when officers interact with civilians while on the job, but they are also important for fostering a healthy environment at a police department. Increasing attention is being paid to how officers are trained on these issues and on the working cultures of police departments, in order to help officers to fulfill the steep demands of their occupation and to keep towns and cities safe.