Police officer
Various types of law enforcement officials exist, and uniformed police officers are among the most common and widely recognized in the nation. Police officers are responsible for responding to calls for service and maintaining regular patrols within the communities they serve. In larger police agencies, officers are assigned a specific patrol area and work with a partner. During any one of their shifts, uniformed police officers may pursue and arrest suspected criminals, resolve community issues, and enforce traffic regulations. Some police officers specialize in fields such as firearms instruction or fingerprint identification, while others work in exclusive units such as harbor patrol, SWAT teams, and canine corps. All officers are expected to write and file reports and keep meticulous records in the event that they must testify in court.Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs are responsible for enforcing laws at the county level. Sheriffs are typically elected to their posts and perform duties comparable to those of a local police chief. The duties of a deputy sheriff are similar to those of urban police officers. Sheriffs' departments are generally smaller than police agencies, employing no more than 50 sworn officers at a time.
State police officers, often referred to as state troopers, are in charge of patrolling highways and arresting criminals statewide. State troopers are known primarily for issuing traffic citations to motorists, directing traffic at accident scenes, and offering emergency assistance and first aid to victims. In rural areas and small towns, state officers are sometimes called in to help local law enforcement deal with large-scale emergencies.
Police work can be stressful and dangerous, but it is also a vital occupation that helps keep communities and citizens safe. Most officers work 40 hours a week, and junior officers usually work night, weekend, and holiday shifts. Paid overtime is not uncommon in this profession, and many officers are required to work long hours when assisting with time-sensitive investigations.
In most states, civil service regulations determine how police officers are appointed. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and at least 20 years of age. In addition to passing written tests, law enforcement personnel must undergo demanding physical examinations, testing everything from their sight and their hearing to their strength and agility. Depending on the departments that you apply with and the types of positions that you are interested in, you will need at least a high school education, and in some cases a college degree.
If you qualify for employment as a police officer, you will train for 12 to 14 weeks in a local police academy. This training includes classroom instruction on essential topics, as well as supervised experience in the areas of patrolling, traffic control, firearm usage, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response. After being sworn in as an officer, promotions are available based on your tenure and your performance in the field. Police officers can go on to work as corporals, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and chiefs.
The majority of U.S. police officers are employed by local governments, but a small portion work within state police agencies, federal agencies, and security services. Cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants generate most of the jobs for our nation's police officers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual earnings of police officers and sheriff's patrol officers in May of 2006 as $47,460. That same year, the annual base salary of police chiefs ranged from $78,547 to $99,698. Salary estimates for police officers do not account for overtime wages, and most positions also come with generous benefit packages. Because of liberal pension plans, most officers can retire and receive half-pay after 25 to 30 years of service. [Figures including job projections, reported median incomes, and salary estimates were revised to reflect data from 2006 on 2/20/08.]