What is a Police Patrol Officer?
Position Description 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
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
- Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
- Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.
- Evaluate complaint and emergency-request information to determine response requirements.
- Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
- Relay complaint and emergency-request information to appropriate agency dispatchers.
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What Every Police Patrol Officer Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Police Patrol Officers say are important on the job.
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.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles
- Public Safety Officer
- Public Safety Police
- Mounted Police
- K-9 Police Officer
- Drug Enforcement Agent
Job Opportunities for Police Patrol Officers
There were about 684,200 jobs for Police Patrol Officer in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Average Police Patrol Officers Salary
The average yearly salary of a Police Patrol Officer ranges between $35,750 and $101,620.
Police Patrol Officers who work in California, New Jersey, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Police Patrol Officers in different U.S. states.
| 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?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Police Patrol Officers:
- 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
- The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
- SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
How to Become a Police Patrol Officer
What education is needed to be a Police Patrol Officer?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Police Patrol Officer?
Where Police Patrol Officers Work
Police Patrol Officers work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those who work as a Police Patrol Officer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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