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Police Patrol Officers


At a Glance

  • Have many traffic-related duties
  • Are responsible for the health and safety of others
  • Always wear uniforms
  • Always wear protective or safety attire
  • May work weekends, holidays, and nights
  • Many train on the job

Career summary

Police patrol officers keep order in their communities and make sure that people follow laws.

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:

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:

Military careers

Job duties

Task list

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

Common work activities

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

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, police patrol officers:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Police patrol officers frequently:

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

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

Skills and abilities

Police patrol officers need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Work with people

Perceive and visualize

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

Other programs of study to consider

Training

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

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 (external link) may be different from your state's graduation requirements (external link).

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:

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 (PDF file) 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 (external link).

#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.

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

Wages

Police and sheriff's patrol officers (SOC 33-3051)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $25.94 $31.36 $37.92 $44.59 $48.61
Monthly $4,495 $5,435 $6,572 $7,727 $8,424
Yearly $53,960 $65,230 $78,870 $92,760 $101,110
    Bellingham Hourly $23.06 $34.10 $39.93 $47.22 $51.87
Monthly $3,996 $5,910 $6,920 $8,183 $8,989
Yearly $47,964 $70,926 $83,067 $98,222 $107,885
    Bremerton-Silverdale Hourly $22.04 $26.77 $37.09 $44.68 $48.21
Monthly $3,820 $4,639 $6,428 $7,743 $8,355
Yearly $45,828 $55,688 $77,149 $92,925 $100,276
    Clarkston-Lewiston Hourly $22.49 $26.23 $30.09 $34.55 $41.54
Monthly $3,898 $4,546 $5,215 $5,988 $7,199
Yearly $46,767 $54,558 $62,582 $71,864 $86,415
    Kennewick-Richland Hourly $28.11 $34.46 $41.25 $46.46 $49.75
Monthly $4,871 $5,972 $7,149 $8,052 $8,622
Yearly $58,471 $71,688 $85,813 $96,655 $103,475
    Longview Hourly $30.59 $33.80 $36.77 $39.83 $42.97
Monthly $5,301 $5,858 $6,372 $6,903 $7,447
Yearly $63,633 $70,314 $76,482 $82,845 $89,363
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes Hourly $28.52 $33.68 $37.00 $40.89 $46.79
Monthly $4,943 $5,837 $6,412 $7,086 $8,109
Yearly $59,319 $70,049 $76,954 $85,059 $97,327
    Olympia-Tumwater Hourly $27.34 $33.33 $39.31 $46.38 $51.05
Monthly $4,738 $5,776 $6,812 $8,038 $8,847
Yearly $56,875 $69,322 $81,770 $96,479 $106,177
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $28.76 $34.48 $42.25 $47.82 $51.18
Monthly $4,984 $5,975 $7,322 $8,287 $8,869
Yearly $59,831 $71,714 $87,889 $99,458 $106,459
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $24.44 $30.44 $36.11 $41.66 $46.49
Monthly $4,235 $5,275 $6,258 $7,220 $8,057
Yearly $50,836 $63,314 $75,111 $86,638 $96,679
    Vancouver Hourly $28.28 $33.44 $38.19 $44.27 $48.81
Monthly $4,901 $5,795 $6,618 $7,672 $8,459
Yearly $58,820 $69,559 $79,423 $92,072 $101,514
    Walla Walla Hourly $21.66 $25.80 $32.67 $38.81 $45.98
Monthly $3,754 $4,471 $5,662 $6,726 $7,968
Yearly $45,070 $53,671 $67,940 $80,709 $95,642
    Wenatchee Hourly $27.42 $33.39 $38.12 $43.71 $48.19
Monthly $4,752 $5,786 $6,606 $7,575 $8,351
Yearly $57,039 $69,442 $79,275 $90,907 $100,229
    Yakima Hourly $24.96 $30.18 $37.05 $45.31 $50.86
Monthly $4,326 $5,230 $6,421 $7,852 $8,814
Yearly $51,918 $62,772 $77,071 $94,244 $105,797
United States Hourly $17.19 $21.99 $29.51 $39.29 $48.86
Monthly $2,979 $3,811 $5,114 $6,809 $8,467
Yearly $35,750 $45,740 $61,380 $81,730 $101,620

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.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 10,284 8.8% 16.1% 860
    Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties 458 9.2% 13.4% 38
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 340 10.6% 8.6% 29
    Benton and Franklin Counties 423 3.1% 15.0% 29
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 605 7.6% 11.9% 48
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 611 9.0% 15.2% 51
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 936 9.0% 14.1% 79
    Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 639 8.8% 14.6% 53
    King County 2,921 9.4% 19.6% 248
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 519 7.5% 13.8% 41
    Pierce County 1,052 8.7% 15.2% 87
    Snohomish County 1,042 8.7% 12.4% 87
    Spokane County 571 9.8% 13.9% 49
United States 687,100 5.0% 5.2% 52,900

National employment

Major employers:

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

Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs (external link)
200 Union Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501
360.352.8224
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (external link)
19010 - 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
206.835.7300
Washington State Patrol Website (external link)

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Strong Interest Inventory

Holland occupational cluster

COPSystem