Police officers work in partnership with the communities they serve to maintain law and order, protect members of the public and their property, prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve the quality of life for all citizens. They use a wide range of technology to protect individuals, identify the perpetrators of crime and ensure successful prosecutions against those who break the law.
- Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
- Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
- Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
- Evaluate complaint and emergency-request information to determine response requirements.
- Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
- Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.
- Photograph or draw diagrams of crime or accident scenes and interview principals and eyewitnesses.
- Process prisoners, and prepare and maintain records of prisoner bookings and prisoner status during booking and pre-trial process.
Key skills for police officer:
- Able to handle responsibility
- Good interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Teamworking skills
- Problem solving skills
- Negotiating skills.
Average salary (2013):
The United Kingdom: £23,317 and £25,962 per year
The United States of America: $28,000 per year
Australia: AU$69,704 per year
Qualifications and training required:
Highly depends on laws and the requirements of each country.
Police officers must have a high school diploma. Entry-level positions are available to officers without a formal education, though employers may ask for some college-level academic experience. Job experience is gained through training programs offered by employers, which are usually local or state government agencies. Police officers are not required to be licensed or certified; however, officers must complete a training program to be eligible for employment.