Police Officer

A career in the police involves dealing with the community, sufferers of crime and potentially perilous or lethal situations, and therefore requires a range of skills and abilities. First and foremost, a police officer should have a daring, bold personality along with good physical fitness. Other requirements include having strong communication skills, the ability to show empathy and direct a conversation, and the ability to keep a cool head and show bravery in volatile or threatening situations.

A police officer also needs to make quick critical decisions and be able to prioritize when under pressure. Following and giving out orders while maintaining discipline, honesty, integrity and a sense of dignity are essential as well. Police officers should also have amicable manners while dealing with people, and a sense of humor is highly preferable.

Basically, this career will enable you to make a difference. If you seek a rewarding job, and wish to do something bring about a change in society, and if you have a strong desire to help other people before yourself, then join the police.

A police officer protects the lives and property of citizens from crime by deterring, investigating, apprehending and prosecuting criminal offenders. Police officers use a variety of modern tools and specialist crime prevention and detection equipment. They may be authorized to carry firearm weapons like guns. Others may carry batons, incapacitant sprays, personal radio, torches, and handcuffs. Police officers can be of either sex and come from all ethnic backgrounds.

Responsibilities of a police officer are many, some of which are as follows: They give assistance at times when there are disasters, fires, disputes. They maintain law and order, and prevent crimes from happening. They conduct patrol duties on foot or in cars, at different locations. Sometimes, they act as traffic guards for road safety and charge citizens for over speeding or parking in no parking zones.

They also act on medico-legal matters, such as suicide, accidents or poisoning, sometimes delivering death news and hospital messages to family members. They gather information and conduct appropriate investigations. Additionally, they deal with legal procedures, file reports, arrest criminals and testify at trials and proceedings.

No formal educational qualifications are required to start training as a police officer. Each department has its own requirements and recruitment procedures. However, prospective officers should be over the age of 18, pass specific weight and height criteria, clear background and security checks, state any previous convictions and have good physical fitness including vision.

To gain acceptance onto the police officer training program, candidates must be able to pass an aptitude test which focuses on specifics such as decision making and communication skills. In addition, there is also a mental and physical fitness test.

A police officer's salary is dependent on his rank and seniority as well as on location. Advancement with each rank, and good performance increases the pay as does the length of time served. In the UK, the starting salary of a police officer ranges from £21,000 to £24,000 per year. Constables, sergeants and inspectors earn considerably more. The heads of police, who are at the top most level can earn up to £100,000.

In the US, the average salary for police officers was $45,000 per year. The average salary for police sergeants was $49,000 per year, while the average for lieutenants was $56,000 per year. Several police officers receive bonuses and overtime wages.

Police work entails spending large amounts of time in the public field dealing with crimes in society. Police officers generally work according to shifts, with two rest days a week. Work shifts are usually rotated and sometimes emergency situations necessitate police officers to be on call. There is the option to work overtime and earn more pay. Some are compensated for their overtime by getting time off. Furthermore, police services are provided 24 hours a day, so police officers may have to work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions and may patrol the streets in squad cars. When at the police station, they may be assigned to work in the laboratory or in the records department. All officers file reports of criminal incidents, and many are required to testify at trials and legal proceedings.

When at the station, a

police officer

is responsible for large amounts of paperwork that need to be dealt with, including filling in reports for every crime that is reported. Additionally, police officers may work in the crime laboratory or records department. They also have to visit the court regularly to provide evidence and testify at trials.

All police officers usually wear a standardized uniform, at times with bullet or stab proof vests according to specific assignments. Police officers assigned on traffic duties, especially at night, or at those deployed at public events, wear high visibility vests and use other gear such as helmets as well.

There are quite a few advantages in this career. The fact that you get to help people, prevent crime and do something to make a difference is extremely rewarding on a personal satisfaction level. Police officers are really appreciated and respected by the public and the social aspect of the job is a plus point.

Moreover, the opportunity for providing public service through the police force is appealing to many people because the job is challenging, exhilarating and confers much personal responsibility. Additionally, retired officers are covered by a pension plan after 25 or 30 years of service, which also allows them to seek a second profession while still in their forties or fifties.

The salary in this profession is relatively attractive and benefits include health and life insurance, paid sick days & vacations.

Working in the police is physically, emotionally and mentally tiring. Police officers often deal with violent and abusive criminals and on the job injury or death is extremely prevalent in this profession. This job carries with it a high level of danger. Expert training and protective equipment such as pepper sprays, and vests aid to reduce the risk of injury but do not eliminate it.

Moreover, police officers are required to work round the clock, and during holidays. Many witness suffering, adversity, grotesque crime scenes etc. Therefore, this job can be depressing, stressful and demanding.

Police officers are extremely important and in demand in today's society because the rate of criminal activity is drastically rising. Employment prospects for police officers are projected to grow as fast as the average for all jobs. Openings will depend on government support & funding, and the need to replace officers who retire, transfer or leave the profession. However, competition for jobs will be stiff and the number of qualified candidates usually exceeds number of job openings. The best opportunities will be found in urban locations where crime rates are relatively high.

Applicants with college training in areas such as police science or criminal justice should have the best chances. To get promoted to a higher rank, police officers must take civil service tests. Good work performance, statistics, and other honors also help officers advance ahead in the field. Police officers who have investigative abilities may progress to detective positions. Other ranks include sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and inspectors.

Job opportunities exist in virtually every country, especially in urban areas and local and state police departments. Usually a candidate has to be a native citizen of the particular country to get enrolled in the police force. In India, locations like Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi and Ahmadabad have more promising opportunities.