Download
1 / 7
E N D
Salaries The median annual wage for police and detectives was $56,980 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,060, and the top 10 percent earned more than $93,450. The median wages for police and detective occupations in May 2012 were as follows: $74,300 for detectives and criminal investigators $55,270 for police and sheriff’s patrol officers $55,210 for transit and railroad police $48,070 for fish and game wardens Many agencies provide officers with an allowance for uniforms, as well as extensive benefits and the option to retire at an age that is younger than typical retirement age. Uniformed officers, detectives, agents, and inspectors usually are scheduled to work full time. Paid overtime is common. Shift work is necessary, because protection must be provided around the clock. Because more experienced employees typically receive preference, junior officers frequently work weekends, holidays, and nights.
Requirement Police officers are charged with keeping the peace. They pursue and apprehend individuals who break the law, enforce traffic laws, arrest suspected criminals, resolve community issues, respond to emergencies, and investigate crimes. Police officers are typically assigned to patrol specific areas in a geographic district and have to become familiar with their patrol areas when investigating suspicious circumstances. Training to become a police officer could be a smart career move if you are looking for a challenging job that exposes you to new situations every day.
Employment Projections The common image of a police officer is of one who works for a city. But officers also serve with numerous state and federal agencies, as well as in campus police departments at colleges and universities nationwide. The primary responsibility of a police officer is to protect people and property. Within a police department, job titles and duties vary. Patrol officers typically respond to emergency calls and can find themselves involved with a variety of situations, from issuing tickets for traffic violations to pursuing suspects and resolving domestic disputes. They also are responsible for completing incident reports and often are called to testify in court about traffic and criminal cases. The BLS reported that it’s also common for police departments and other law enforcement agencies to require that an applicant be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen, as well as pass a drug test and not have any felony convictions
Employment Projections Detectives investigate crimes, collecting and cataloguing evidence that can be used to arrest a suspect and build a criminal case. They interview suspects, victims and witnesses as part of their investigative work. Like patrol officers, they are tasked with filing detailed reports and testifying in court about the evidence they have collected. Within larger departments, officers may be assigned to specific areas of investigation, such as street crime, vice, narcotics, robbery or homicide. Others work in special units, such as SWAT or hostage negotiation. An officer’s duties may also include community relations and crime prevention training.
Job Responsibilities Enforce laws Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls Patrol assigned areas Conduct traffic stops and issue citations Obtain warrants and arrest suspects Write detailed reports and fill out forms Prepare cases and testify in court
Job benefits The benefits that police officers are eligible for include paid vacation, sick leave and medical and life insurance. Police officers also get paid for overtime. This can bring a significant to boost to their earnings, as overtime is often plentiful. Some officers will also receive an allowance for their uniforms. Guaranteed pensions are another benefit to police officers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that many police officers are able to retire after just 25 or 30 years of service at half of their annual pay.
