What Do Police Patrol Officer Do?
Job Description & Duties Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.
A Day in the Life of a Police Patrol Officer
- Relay complaint and emergency-request information to appropriate agency dispatchers.
- Provide road information to assist motorists.
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
- Inform citizens of community services and recommend options to facilitate longer-term problem resolution.
- Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
- Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
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What Every Police Patrol Officer Should Know
Police Patrol Officers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Police Patrol Officer
- Police Patrol Officer
- Public Safety Officer
- Policeman
- Immigration Guard
- Policewoman
What Kind of Police Patrol Officer Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 684,200 jobs for Police Patrol Officer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 47,700 new jobs for Police Patrol Officer by 2026. The BLS estimates 49,500 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Police Patrol Officer are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Police Patrol Officer Salary
Police Patrol Officers make between $35,750 and $101,620 a year.
Police Patrol Officers who work in California, New Jersey, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Police Patrol Officers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,930 |
| Alaska | $88,030 |
| Arizona | $64,640 |
| Arkansas | $39,560 |
| California | $101,380 |
| Colorado | $72,950 |
| Connecticut | $71,920 |
| Delaware | $70,000 |
| District of Columbia | $74,940 |
| Florida | $59,610 |
| Georgia | $42,990 |
| Hawaii | $74,040 |
| Idaho | $53,880 |
| Illinois | $75,720 |
| Indiana | $55,310 |
| Iowa | $58,340 |
| Kansas | $48,350 |
| Kentucky | $45,600 |
| Louisiana | $41,550 |
| Maine | $49,840 |
| Maryland | $68,230 |
| Massachusetts | $69,870 |
| Michigan | $56,270 |
| Minnesota | $69,060 |
| Mississippi | $35,550 |
| Missouri | $48,920 |
| Montana | $56,230 |
| Nebraska | $57,530 |
| Nevada | $70,450 |
| New Hampshire | $58,120 |
| New Jersey | $83,720 |
| New Mexico | $51,250 |
| New York | $74,860 |
| North Carolina | $48,420 |
| North Dakota | $57,190 |
| Ohio | $61,040 |
| Oklahoma | $46,120 |
| Oregon | $70,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,600 |
| Rhode Island | $60,890 |
| South Carolina | $42,280 |
| South Dakota | $48,550 |
| Tennessee | $44,600 |
| Texas | $61,870 |
| Utah | $53,890 |
| Vermont | $52,940 |
| Virginia | $56,710 |
| Washington | $77,670 |
| West Virginia | $43,590 |
| Wisconsin | $62,040 |
| Wyoming | $55,050 |
What Tools do Police Patrol Officers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Police Patrol Officers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- SmugMug Flickr
- ESRI ArcView
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- National Crime Information Center NCIC database
- Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
- Law enforcement information databases
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
- SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
- The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
How to Become a Police Patrol Officer
Learn what Police Patrol Officer education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Police Patrol Officer?
Where Police Patrol Officers Are Employed
Police Patrol Officers work in the following industries:
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References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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