Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Also Called: Deputy, Patrol Officer, Police Officer, Public Safety Officer

Associate's degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$45,200

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers do

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.

  • Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
  • 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.
  • Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
Industry Areas:

Homeland Security

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Contact With Others
  • Deal With External Customers
  • Frequency of Decision Making
  • Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  • Face-to-Face Discussions

Tools

  • Police vehicles
  • Handguns
  • Two way radios
  • Handcuffs
  • Surveillance video or audio recorders

Technology

Data base user interface and query software
Database software
Microsoft Access
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Graphics or photo imaging software
Microsoft Visio
SmugMug Flickr

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Negotiation

Knowledge

Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
psychology
Business
customer service

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Legal Secretaries & Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment Specialists

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Carl D. Perkins - Job Corps

    Prestonsburg, Kentucky

ACT & College

  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

    Tifton, GA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

Work Styles

  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Leadership

Values

  • Achievement
  • Independence
  • Support

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention
  • Visual Understanding

This is what Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers across the country typically make.

$21.73 / hour
$45,200 /year

Entry Level

$34.75 / hour
$72,280 /year

Median Level

$53.70 / hour
$111,700 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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