Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Overview

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers has a national median salary of $76,210 per year, with +3.5% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

Work Values

• Achievement
• Independence
• Support

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.
• Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
• Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
• Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.

Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Detailed Work Activities

• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers:

Video Resources