What to Know About Being a Police Officer

Portions of the following article were drafted using an in-house natural language generation platform. The article was then reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by multiple members of our editorial team prior to publishing.

More than 807,000 law enforcement officers work in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Police officers perform various duties, including investigating illegal activity, patrolling and making arrests, and maintaining records. Community members depend on police officers to enforce the law.

Folks considering becoming police officers can benefit from strong attention to detail. Most successful police officers also exhibit critical thinking abilities and prefer flexibility in their work. Good communication skills can be an advantage when interacting with the public.

Individuals who are at least 21 years old can enroll in a police academy if they hold a high school or equivalent diploma. You do not need a degree in order to pursue employment as an officer. However, some candidates have an associate or bachelor’s degree. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens and have no drug or felony convictions.

Is a career in law enforcement right for you? This guide can help you decide.

Police officers are among the broad group of law enforcement professionals who preserve public safety and collect evidence of criminal activity. According to the BLS, police officers perform many duties, including:

Police officers can seek positions at the city, state, or federal level. Most of them are employed full time — they may work overtime and take night shifts. Although many duties remain standard, they can vary by the employer and the specific role.

Communities will always need police officers who help maintain public safety, protect lives and property, and reduce and prevent illegal activities. Cities of all sizes require police officers and other law enforcement professionals’ protection — even when crime rates appear to go down.

The BLS projects that jobs for police officers and detectives will grow 3% between 2022-2032, compared to the 8% projected growth for all occupations. Demand varies based on local and state budgets and the need to replace retiring officers. In some areas, the necessity of law enforcement will grow along with continued threats of terrorism and increased attention toward border security.

Police officers can expand their job opportunities through additional skills training and promotions. Professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree or speak another language besides English may also qualify for higher-level positions. Advancement opportunities might not exist as much where there are cuts in municipal budgets.

According to the BLS, police officers and detectives made a median annual salary of $69,160, as of May 2022. This is much higher than the $46,310 median annual wage for all occupations. Police officers working as detectives and criminal investigators make more while those working as fish or game wardens tend to earn less. The BLS reports that the highest-paid officers made a median annual salary of $109,580.

Police ranks look similar to hierarchical levels in the military. At the start of their careers, most individuals start as technicians or officers. They typically move up as they gain experience and earn more pay, with some reaching the position of police chief. Police ranks vary by region and locality, but they generally follow this progression:

After a probationary period, most officers can advance based on job performance and scores on written examinations. Individuals might be required to have a bachelor’s degree to qualify for some promotions. Career advancement might involve work in specialized areas, such as homicide or juveniles.

For those who wish to transition from a traditional police role, there are several alternative career paths available that capitalize on the skills and experiences gained in law enforcement.

These alternatives can potentially provide improved job satisfaction, higher salaries, or reduced stress compared to traditional police roles. Some of these paths include roles in victim support, forensic auditing, fire inspection, politics, private investigation, and cybersecurity.

Other alternative careers in law enforcement include:

Within law enforcement agencies, there are also numerous pivotal civilian roles. These include:

Transitioning from the role of a police officer to another position within law enforcement involves articulating your police skills in a way that the general population will understand, developing connections within your chosen field, and potentially pursuing further education or qualifications.