What to Know About Being a Police Officer

• To be a police officer, you must be at least 21 and attend police academy training.
• Some promotions for police officers require at least a bachelor's degree.
• Police officers are just a part of the broad field of law enforcement.

More than 900,000 law enforcement officers work in the United States. Police officers perform various duties. These include investigating illegal activity, advocating for crime victims, and maintaining records. They take a pledge to protect lives and property. Community members depend on them to enforce the law and pursue individuals who break it.

Ideal job candidates tend to demonstrate attention to detail, excellent writing skills, and a preference for novelty and excitement. Most successful police officers also exhibit critical thinking and prefer flexibility in their work. Good communication skills can be an advantage when interacting with the public.

Individuals at least 21 years old can enroll in a police academy if they hold a high school or equivalent diploma. Some candidates have an associate or bachelor's degree or earn extra college credits. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens and have no drug or felony convictions.

Because police work tends to include many physical demands, police academy students need to meet specific physical requirements. The work sometimes involves danger and the risk of injury or death. It requires alertness and the ability to confront scenes of violence and suffering.

Despite the physical and mental demands, many police officers find their jobs meaningful and rewarding because they get to help people.

What Does a Police Officer Do?

Police officers are among the broad group of law enforcement professionals who preserve public safety, help crime victims, and collect evidence of criminal activity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), police officers typically perform the following duties:

• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls
• Patrol assigned areas, observing people and activities
• Conduct traffic stops and issue citations
• Search databases for a vehicle or other records and warrants
• Obtain and serve warrants for arrests, searches, and other purposes
• Arrest people suspected of committing crimes
• Collect and secure evidence from crime scenes
• Observe the activities of suspects
• Write detailed reports and fill out forms
• Prepare cases for legal proceedings and testify in court

Police officers can seek positions at the city, state, or federal level. Most of them obtain full-time employment, work paid overtime on occasion, and take night shifts. Although many duties remain standard, they can vary by the employer and the specific role performed.

What Is a Police Officer's Career Outlook?

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 7% between 2020-2030, 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.

What Is a Police Officer's Salary and Growth Potential?

According to the BLS, police officers and detectives made a median annual salary of $67,290, as of May 2020. This compares to $59,340 for other law enforcement workers and $41,950 for all occupations. Police officers working in state or federal government can make more while professionals working as fish or game wardens tend to earn less. The BLS reports that the highest-paid officers made a median annual salary of $113,860.

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 the ranks and earn more pay, with some reaching the position of police chief. Police ranks vary by region or locality, but most generally follow this progression:

• Police technician
• Police officer, patrol officer, or police detective
• Police corporal
• Police sergeant
• Police lieutenant
• Police captain
• Deputy police chief
• Chief of police

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Police Officer