About Police Officers
Police officers are vitally important to the safety of the community. Law enforcement is a dangerous and stressful profession that requires vigorous training. The duties of a police officer, the types of law enforcement jobs available and the potential for jobs in the field vary.
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Identification
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Police officers are individuals employed by either state or federal agencies to protect a community and its property. The duties of a police officer vary, depending on by whom they are employed or in what capacity they work. There are various types of police jobs such as state police, detective or sheriff, among others. Police officers may work alone, but more often they work with a partner or as part of a team.
Types
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There are many types of police officers. In addition to uniformed police officers that work for cities or towns, there are detectives, agents and inspectors. Some police officers may decide to work for the state and become a state trooper or to specialize in a particular field, such as SWAT (emergency response teams). Other specializations are training and firearms instruction, handwriting and fingerprint identification, and corrections. A police officer may decide to become a detective, agent or inspector and work for the FBI or DEA (among other government organizations) to enforce laws and regulations on a national level and conduct investigations that involve national security. The highest level of sensitivity is required for police officers who decide to work in the U.S. Secret Service.
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Function
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The duties of a police officer are wide-reaching and vary considerably depending on the specific law enforcement title. In general, uniformed police officers maintain regular patrols and pursue and apprehend criminals as well as write citations and warnings. They also spend a good portion of their time writing reports and may even do a good deal of administrative work. In addition, they may work directing traffic or responding to calls. Police officers are normally assigned responsibility for securing a specific geographical area with which they become very familiar. In different areas of law enforcement, these duties may reach a larger area and be significantly more detailed or specific. Detectives or agents, however, usually work for a national government agency and their duties are markedly different. Their time is spent investigating and collecting evidence related to specific criminal cases as well as conducting interviews, going through records or providing protection. Detectives and agents who work for the U.S. Secret Service may even protect the president, vice president, their immediate families and other high-profile public officials.
Time Frame
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To become a police officer, one must graduate from high school and then attend at least a program in law enforcement through a local police academy. Some police departments require an additional one or two years of college coursework, and in some cases a college degree. Officers who obtain such a degree often get paid higher salaries or advance more quickly within a department. To be considered for a position within the FBI, applicants must have completed college and have at least three years of professional experience or have an advanced degree and two years of experience. They must also have a college major in accounting, electrical engineering, information technology or computer science, fluency in a foreign language or a law degree. Other law enforcement agencies have different requirements for education and training, and you can find that information on the specific agency's website.
Potential
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Average employment growth is expected for law enforcement jobs and job opportunities will be excellent for qualified individuals. Jobs in state and federal agencies, however, will be competitive. Local police departments will have many opportunities for those who meet the qualifications due to employment growth and replacing workers who retire or are promoted. Police officers with military training or education in police science will have the best job opportunities available to them.
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Comments
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love, police officer.....
