Career Details :: Police Patrol Officers
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
- Correctional Officers and Jailers
- Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
- Fire Inspectors
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Highway Patrol Pilots
- Private Detectives and Investigators
- Security Guards
- Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Performing for/Working With Public
- Resolving Conflict, Negotiating With Others
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
Important Skills
- Problem Identification
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Information Gathering
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 XapPack |
|---|---|
| Administration of Justice |  [ add ] |
| Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement | [ add ] |
| Law Enforcement | [ add ] |
| Pre-education | [ add ] |
| Pre-electrical Engineering | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.