Police Patrol Officers

Career summary

Police patrol officers protect people and property. They patrol areas by foot or in a patrol car. Some officers ride horses or bikes.

Officers on patrol watch for signs of criminal activity and talk to residents and business people. They build relationships with people in their community. They respond to accidents, crimes in progress, fights, and other events. They evaluate the information they receive and determine the best way to respond.

Police officers enforce traffic laws. They pull over motorists who are speeding or driving dangerously and give them warnings or citations. Police officers also respond to traffic accidents. They interview witnesses.

Some police officers work in special units such as:

• Motorcycle
• Horseback
• Canine unit
• SWAT teams

Officers respond to a variety of problems. They determine whether people are safe in each situation. They gather information and figure out if crimes were committed. They follow up on these cases or transfer them to other police officers.

Officers on large police departments are usually assigned to a specific duty. Some respond to traffic accidents, while others handle robberies.

Related careers

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Border Patrol Agents
• Corrections Officers
• Detectives and Investigators
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• Firefighters
• Fish and Game Wardens
• Secret Service Agents
• Security Guards
• Sheriffs
• Transportation Inspectors
• Transportation Security Screeners

Military careers

• Law Enforcement and Security Officers
• Law Enforcement and Security Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to police patrol officers.

• Keep the public safe.
• Pursue and arrest people who break laws.
• Prepare reports about accidents and arrests.
• Review facts to determine if criminal acts were committed.
• Give first aid to people who are injured.
• Testify in court to present evidence.
• Evaluate requests for service to determine how to respond.
• Patrol areas on foot, horse, bike, or vehicle.
• Investigate suspicious activities and safety hazards.
• Investigate traffic accidents to determine which drivers were at fault.
• Prepare and maintain records about prisoners.
• Photograph or draw diagrams of crime or accident scenes.
• Interview witnesses to gather more information.
• Monitor traffic to make sure motorists obey laws.
• Communicate with emergency dispatchers.
• Write citations or tickets for drivers who violate traffic laws.
• Direct traffic flow and re-route traffic in case of emergencies.
• Assist the public with solving problems and fighting crime.
• Provide information on road conditions to the public.
• Inspect businesses to make sure they are following rules.

Common work activities

Police patrol officers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform for or work with the public
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Document and record information
• Assist and care for others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Use computers
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Process information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Teach others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Analyze data or information
• Develop and build teams
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Perform administrative tasks
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Coach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Think creatively

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, police patrol officers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They constantly work with the public.
• Are placed in conflict situations on a daily basis.
• Always deal with angry, discourteous, or violent individuals.
• Are substantially responsible for the safety of the public and coworkers.
• Are responsible for work outcomes.
• Communicate with coworkers and the public daily by telephone, e-mail, or in person. They also write letters and memos regularly.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work outdoors patrolling, but often work indoors while writing reports.
• Always wear uniforms.
• Work in a vehicle on a daily basis, such as a patrol car.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• Often wear specialized protective or safety attire, such as a gun and holster.
• Are often exposed to hazardous conditions and situations, such as moving traffic.
• Work near people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.
• Are often exposed to extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions.
• Are exposed to hazardous equipment on a daily basis.
• Always wear protective or safety attire, such as bulletproof vests.
• Are often exposed to very hot or cold temperatures while working outdoors.
• May have to get into awkward positions to complete a task.
• Are exposed to diseases and infections on a weekly basis. They may be exposed when assisting an accident victim.
• Are exposed to contaminants on a weekly basis.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could result in serious injuries to themselves or others.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact coworkers and the public. They rarely consult a supervisor before making decisions.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before setting tasks for the day. This is because they repeat many of the same tasks, such as writing reports.
• Are moderately competitive. They may compete with coworkers.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• Usually work full time. Most work more than 40 hours a week.
• May work weekends, holidays, and nights, especially as a junior officer. Police services are needed 24 hours a day.

Physical demands

Police patrol officers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for police patrol officers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for police patrol officers to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• See objects in very low light.

Skills and abilities

Police patrol officers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
• Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Teach others how to do something.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Law Enforcement and Police Science

Other programs of study to consider

• Corrections
• Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Forensic Science
• Security Studies
• Sociology

Training

To work as a police patrol officer, you typically need to:

• complete a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

You must have at least a high school diploma to become a police officer. Most officers have college training and many have a degree. Many community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities offer programs in law enforcement or criminal justice.

Many states require that all police patrol officers complete Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy (POST). New officers attend police academies for three to six months. You study laws and ordinances, self-defense, and first aid. You also learn how to patrol, direct and control traffic, and handle emergencies. In addition, you learn to use weapons properly.

Work experience

Some large cities hire high school graduates as police cadets who do office work. As a cadet, you take courses until you turn 20 years old (or the minimum age required in your state) and can compete for a police recruit position. You can also work as a community service volunteer officer. Cadets are not guaranteed a promotion to officer status.

On-the-job training

Most police departments have training programs for newly hired police patrol officers. These programs may last up to 12 months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be law enforcement and security specialists. Training lasts from five to 12 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Community Protection
• Criminal Justice Assisting
• Criminology
• Legal System
• Physical Education
• Psychology
• Sociology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers require police officers to be US citizens, to be at least 20 years of age, and to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Federal and state agencies prefer applicants who have a college degree. In the Federal Government, applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Many employers require applicants to take aptitude and attitude tests. They also test applicants' strength, coordination, agility, and vision. Applicants must pass a drug-screening test. Some agencies require applicants to take a lie-detector test and undergo personality screening.

Employers look for applicants who are honest, have good judgment, and are mature. Employers prefer applicants who like to work with the public. Some police departments prefer applicants who have military experience. Being able to speak a language other than English is very helpful to police patrol officers.

Several police departments have implemented what are called lateral entry programs for experienced officers (no written exams and higher starting salaries).

The minimum age requirement for Washington State Patrol trooper applicants is 19 1/2 years old.

#The State Patrol lowered age requirement in 2006, CJ. This age reequiremtn still the case 3/19/10 lh & 4/22/13, 3/23/15, 1/4/17, 4/5/19 cj.

Tips

Prepare to be a city police officer by joining Police Explorers or training as a reserve officer. Attend the law enforcement youth summer camp for high school juniors and seniors offered by the Washington State Patrol and the Kiwanis. This program gives students a chance to explore different law enforcement jobs. Keep personal life above reproach: no drug usage; pay debts; no serious violations of the law; keep in good physical condition; and maintain a good driving record. Police officers need to have good coping skills and must not be easily offended by insults or criticism.

#Tip about coping skills added from article on shortage of police officers in The Seattle Times, 2/7/07 and added info on WSP/Kiwanis Youth Law Enforcement Career Camp noted on WSP web site, 3/20/07, CJ. Law enforcement youth camp still offered as of 3/23/15, 4/5/19 cj.

Costs to workers

Officers may be required to join a union and pay quarterly dues. Some workers join professional associations, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Job applicants must complete their basic law enforcement academy training within six months of hire by a law enforcement agency or have a certificate of equivalent basic training issued by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

For more information on the academy, contact the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission .

#2/10/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Police Patrol Officers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Many police officers work overtime and holidays. Overtime wages can be significant, and total earnings often exceed the wages reported.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The officer's duties and level of experience also affect wages.

Full-time police patrol officers usually receive benefits. These typically include paid vacation, sick leave, and health and life insurance. Most departments also provide allowances for uniforms. In addition, most employers provide retirement plans. Many officers retire at half pay after 20 or 25 years of service.

National wage information is not available specifically for police patrol officers. However, they are part of the larger group of "police and sheriff's patrol officers."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Local, state, and federal police departments

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow about as fast as average. Even with increased concern about public safety, many cities have cut budgets. Demand will depend on location.

Job prospects will be best for those with a bachelor's degree, military experience, and knowledge of a second language. There is very low turnover in this occupation.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for police patrol officers. However, they are part of the larger group of "police and sheriff's patrol officers."

Other resources

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 

Discover Policing: (from the International Association of Chiefs of Police) 

US Department of Justice 

Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs 
3060 Willamette Drive NE, Suite 200
Lacey, WA 98516
360.486.2380

Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs 
200 Union Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501
360.352.8224

Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission 
19010 - 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
206.835.7300

Washington State Patrol Website 

References

Career cluster

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Police Patrol Officers (33-3051.01) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Accident-prevention-squad Police Officer (375.263-010) 
• Border Guard (375.363-010) 
• Complaint Evaluation Officer (375.367-014) 
• Customs Patrol Officer (168.167-010) 
• Park Ranger (169.167-042) 
• Pilot, Highway Patrol (375.163-014) 
• Police Inspector II (375.267-030) 
• Police Officer I (375.263-014) 
• Police Officer, Booking (375.367-018) 
• Police Officer, Crime Prevention (375.264-010) 
• Police Officer, Safety Instruction (375.267-042) 
• Protective Officer (372.363-010) 
• Public-safety Officer (379.263-014) 
• State-highway Police Officer (375.263-018) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Law Enforcement Officer

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Enterprising/Conventional

COPSystem

• Service Skilled