Police Officer Job Description | Duties & Responsibilities

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If you aspire to become a police officer, this police job description guide will benefit you no matter the country you find yourself in.

But, some of your duties and responsibilities may vary slightly depending on your country’s law.

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Police officers play a vital role in maintaining security and peace in the country.

They protect the lives and properties of people in a community.

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You don’t want to imagine a society without the police who maintain law and order.

Knowing and understanding your job description as a policy is a step towards becoming a good police officer.

If all officers knew, understood, and adhered strictly to their job description, there will be no protest against police brutality.

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What does a Police Officer do?

The job description of a police officer goes far beyond what we see in movies. 

Although movies still contain so many truths concerning what police officers do.

But, in reality, what does a police officer do?

Police professionals maintain peace, law, and order in a country. They usually work for the federal government to enforce laws. But can also work for public firms. They are saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives.

They perform duties like responding to emergency calls, controlling traffic, and preventing crime.

To properly carry out all their duties and responsibilities, an officer must be trustworthy and can make sound judgments.

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What are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Police Officer?

Here are the duties and responsibilities featured in most police job description postings.

1. Prevent Crime

It is the duty of police officers in practically every country to prevent crime.

To carry out this duty go on patrol at different times of the day.

They also create checkpoints at strategic positions where they can curb crime.

2. Secure the Crime Scene and Retrieve Evidence

Whenever a crime occurs, police officers are usually the first to get to the scene.

They secure crime scenes and collect everything that could serve as evidence.

By so doing, they can fish out the perpetrators of the crime.

3. Respond to Emergency Calls

If you have noticed, even in movies, police officers always go around with their official phones.

Whether in the office or on patrol, they respond to calls. Most of such calls are emergencies, but not all.

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4. Control and Conduct Traffic

Police officers control traffic in less developed countries where streetlights are not on every street.

In almost every country, they issue citations to drivers who disobey safety rules and regulations.

Such disobedience may include driving above the required speed limit or parking your car wrongly.

5. Arrest Suspects

The police also must arrest criminal suspects.

This arrest must not be made without an arrest warrant.

After arrest, police officers also interview these suspects to determine if they are guilty.

Some other duties and responsibilities of the police include:

  • Taking statements from victims and witnesses as well.
  • They are writing detailed crime reports from information gathered from crime scenes, interviews,s, and statements.
  • Gather evidence and present them in court for prosecution.
  • Develop good relationships with the public.
  • Settle disputes between two parties when a court case is not necessary.

What are the Requirements to Become a Police Officer?

You can become a police officer with or without a degree. But, it is mandatory to pass the police recruitment test.

The recruitment test includes fitness, educational and medical tests

There is usually no height or upper age restriction.

The requirements for becoming a police officer differ for different countries. Therefore, you must know what is peculiar to your state of the country.

College or university graduates are usually employed in leadership positions in the police force only after undergoing so months or years of police training.

Graduates with a minimum degree of 2.1 in a field are eligible to become police officers.

Unlike almost every job, experience is not necessarily required to become a policeman.

Although having previous involvement in local policing is an advantage and may make it easier for you to adapt to the job if accepted into the force.

Criminal records, tattoos as well as debt issues may disqualify you.

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What Skills and Personality Suit a policeman?

To carry out the duties and responsibilities of a police officer, there are specific skills a prospective police officer should possess.

Often, these skills are featured in most police job descriptions in different countries.

As much as you need qualifications to get accepted by the police, these skills will make you better at the job.

Some of these skills include:

1. Ability to make the Right Judgement

A good police officer should be able to make excellent decisions.

This attribute is essential for mediating or settling issues between two parties. As well as when interviewing suspects.

2. Interpersonal Skills

Every police officer should be capable of developing and maintaining good relationships with colleagues and the public.

One of the duties of a police officer is to develop good relationships with the public, and having interpersonal skills makes carrying out this duty easier.

3. Communication Skills

This skill is essential for writing reports, dealing with paperwork, and during interviews.

A good police officer should know how to communicate well in writing and verbally.

He or she should be capable of communicating the technical and non-technical aspects of policing.

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4. Resilience

Most times, police officers are exposed to depressing and mentally demoralizing events.

After such an event, a good police officer should be capable of putting what happened behind them and recovering quickly from it.

5. Ability to Work Under Pressure

Even in the face of danger and pressure, a police officer should remain calm.

This is the only way to assure the public that the situation is under your control.

Or else even in your presence, the public will still feel unsafe.

6. Ability to Work as Part of a Team

All members of a police force must have good team spirit.

As one, you should always have the back of your colleagues at all times, even in the face of danger.

7. Honesty and Integrity

Police officers must always be honest when carrying out their duties.

As one, you have governed by principles of justice and must always be fair and honest when carrying out duties and responsibilities.

A police officer must never engage in criminal activities; these are the same things you were employed to prevent.

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8. Professionalism

When carrying out duties, a police officer must always act professionally.

Every police force is committed to excellence. This standard must never be let down for any reason.

9. Courage

The importance of being courageous cannot be over-emphasized.

Even in danger, a police officer must exhibit mental and moral strength.

10. Empathy

A good police officer should always have the safety of the public in mind at all times.

They must always be sensitive enough to relate to the emotions and feelings of others.

Where does a Police Officer Work?

Most people think that policemen and women work for the federal government only. Most of them do, but that’s not always the case.

The typical employers of police officers are:

  • Local police force
  • Ministry of Defense
  • Special forces
  • Public entities

Usually, forces place advertisements on newspapers or television stations.

You may also check the police recruitment portal to determine if recruitment is ongoing.

How much do Police Officers make?

The salary or monetary benefits of a police officer is dependent on location and rank as well.

In the united states, police officers make an average of $53,711 annually.

Experience and level of qualification may also play a role in determining how much they make.

What should I Include in my Police Resume?

When creating a professional police resume, here is some information you should consider including:

  • Experience
  • Soft skills
  • Hard skills
  • Qualification

You should also include brief working experience in any paramilitary force.

Even during the interview, don’t overlook the importance of referring to these skills.

Don’t hesitate to use this free guide on the job description of police to create a professional police resume.

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What does the Working Environment of a Police Officer Look like?

A police officer is usually in an office, except during patrols or when preventing and investigating crime.

They usually work based on shifts and may be required to work overtime.

They can be called out at any time of the day crime occurs, and their services are required to recover peace and order.

Is Working as a Police Stressful?

Yes, the job of police can be stressful. Most police job description includes working during holidays and weekends. And may also have to work overtime.

The job of the police is not just stressful but can also be dangerous because they put their lives at stake to keep others safe.

But knowing that because of you, people are safe is a reason to overlook the stress.

Moreover, every Job can be demanding and have its areas of danger.

Summary of Police Officer Job Description Guide

Although the guide on the job description of police was written with applicants in mind, it can also be used to create a police job description posting.

It contains almost everything anyone aspiring to become the police should know.

On becoming a police officer, your life may experience some drastic changes.

Now that you know the job description of a police officer, you may also want to learn about these changes.

 Click here to learn more about the changes a new police officer and his loved one may face.

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