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Career Details : Police Patrol Officers

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Description

Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.

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.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Patrols specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance.
  • Relays complaint and emergency-request information to appropriate agency dispatcher.
  • Provides road information to assist motorists.
  • Investigates traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if crime has been committed.
  • Evaluates complaint and emergency-request information to determine response requirements.
  • Reviews facts to determine if criminal act or statute violation is involved.
  • Directs traffic flow and reroutes traffic in case of emergencies.
  • Monitors traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.
  • Arrests perpetrator of criminal act or submits citation or warning to violator of motor vehicle ordinance.
  • Draws diagram of crime or accident scene.
  • Photographs crime or accident scene.
  • Interviews principal and eye witnesses.
  • Renders aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
  • Records facts and prepares reports to document activities.
  • Testifies in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
  • Expedites processing of prisoners and prepares and maintains records of prisoner bookings and prisoner status during booking and pretrial process.
  • Maintains order, responds to emergencies, protects people and property, and enforces motor vehicle and criminal law.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Consequence of Error
    • Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
    • Deal With External Customers
    • Frustrating Circumstances

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Administration of Justiceadd Administration of Justice to MyFSA
    Criminal Justice/Law Enforcementadd Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement to MyFSA
    Law Enforcementadd Law Enforcement to MyFSA
    Pre-educationadd Pre-education to MyFSA
    Pre-electrical Engineeringadd Pre-electrical Engineering to MyFSA
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