Hourly Rates up to | Jobs Available |
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$69 | 55,400+ |
What Does a Police Officer Do?
Responsibilities
- Patrol the community
- Respond to calls from the public through a dispatcher, including emergency and non-emergency situations
- Conduct traffic control and enforcement
- Arrest suspected criminals
- Conduct preliminary investigations and collect evidence
- Write detailed reports
- Testify in court when needed
- Focus on safety at all times
How to become a Police Officer: FAQs
The bottom line:
If you want to help your community, becoming a police officer is one of the best ways to do it. Policing puts you directly in contact with all elements of your community. Compassion and an ability to communicate well make this association a rich and rewarding part of the job. If this sounds like you and you’re ready to learn more, check out SkillPointe’s training offerings and get started on your next chapter.
What is it like to be a police officer?
Just because you see a police officer, it doesn't mean something's wrong, says Deputy Sheriff Javier Arteaga of the Merced County Sheriff's Office.
"A lot of people see police officers and think something bad has happened. That’s not always the case," he says. Just think about the number of times you see law enforcement present at community functions.
But no matter the circumstance, officers are there to help. That's one of the most satisfying parts of the job, he says.
Learn more about why he thinks being a police officer is such a rewarding career.
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