Police Officer
To Protect And To Serve
What is the job description of a police officer?
Job description of a police officer is part of one of the three areas of our criminal justice system. Members of the police force are responsible for enforcing the law. An officer will patrol neighborhoods to deter criminal activity as well as monitor any threat to public safety. A police officer will respond to incidents and complaints reported to the police department, document interactions with suspects, victims, and witnesses, and collect evidence at the scene of the crime. Police officers arrest offenders and suspects, collect evidence from them, and testify in court about cases in which they were involved. A member of the police force will also work with the community to coordinate community service events and outreach programs and to offer educational services to the neighborhoods the officer patrols. A police officer must complete the police academy training program, and quite often a certificate or degree in a criminal justice program is required. People applying to join the police force must pass a strict background check including their criminal history, driving record, and credit reports, in order to ensure that all members of the police force are upstanding members of society who will be a good fit with the community. A police officer must be in and remain in good physical condition, as the job may sometimes require strenuous physical activity. Hours for the position vary and are subject to changes based on the availability of other employees, and quite often a police officer will work night shifts and weekends.
What skills do you need?
One of the most important skills of a police officer is the ability to communicate in a range of situations with a diverse mix of people. You already have skills in communication that you will be required to use in your role. However you will find yourself in situations that will demand advanced communication skills. Effective policing is about bringing volatile situations to order and even taking people into custody if that is needed. Not everyone stops what they are doing when they are told to.
Over the course of the Recruit Training Program there will be a range of new skills you will acquire. Due to the nature of the job, police officers find themselves working in situations that can change drastically and which may at times be physically threatening. The decisions you make sometimes have to be made quickly and may have consequences for others. Making decisions while engaged in highly volatile situations requires special training. The skills you will learn will allow you to act confidently in these situations to defend yourself and protect others.
Another skill you have and which will be further developed, is operating a police motor vehicle. You will develop skills in urgent duty driving in a range of traffic conditions as well as during pursuits. You will be asked to demonstrate your skills at driving in a variety of contexts and under various conditions as part of your training.