Police Patrol Officers

Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.

Median Annual Wage: $56,810

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (42%); Associate's degree (24%); Some college, no degree (22%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Public Safety Officer; Police Sergeant; Police Officer; Patrolman; Patrol Officer; State Trooper; Police Patrol Officer; Law Enforcement Officer; Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent; Officer

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Police Patrol Officers.

More Protective Service Careers

  • Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
  • Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
  • Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
  • Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
  • Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
  • Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
  • Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.
  • Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
  • Photograph or draw diagrams of crime or accident scenes and interview principals and eyewitnesses.
  • Relay complaint and emergency-request information to appropriate agency dispatchers.
  • Evaluate complaint and emergency-request information to determine response requirements.
  • Process prisoners, and prepare and maintain records of prisoner bookings and prisoner status during booking and pre-trial process.
  • Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.
  • Issue citations or warnings to violators of motor vehicle ordinances.
  • Direct traffic flow and reroute traffic in case of emergencies.
  • Inform citizens of community services and recommend options to facilitate longer-term problem resolution.
  • Provide road information to assist motorists.
  • Inspect public establishments to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
  • Act as official escorts, such as when leading funeral processions or firefighters.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Police Patrol Officers.

  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Police Patrol Officers.

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