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Police Officer

$65,790 avgGovernment

Salary Range

$42,000 – $95,000

Job Outlook

3% growth through 2032

Education

High school diploma minimum; Associate's or Bachelor's preferred; police academy required

Work Settings

Onsite

About This Career

Police Officers protect communities by enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, conducting investigations, and building relationships with the public through community policing.

Top Skills

Law enforcementReport writingCrisis interventionCommunity policingInvestigationDe-escalationEmergency response

Typical Responsibilities

  1. Patrol assigned areas and respond to calls
  2. Investigate crimes and incidents
  3. Write detailed reports
  4. Arrest and process suspects
  5. Testify in court proceedings
  6. Engage in community policing initiatives

Common Certifications

POST Certification CPR/First Aid Firearms Qualification FEMA ICS

Career Progression

1

Patrol Officer

0-5 years experience

2

Corporal / Detective

5-10 years experience

3

Sergeant

10-15 years experience

4

Lieutenant / Captain

15-20 years experience

5

Chief of Police

20+ years experience

ATS Keywords to Include in Your Resume

law enforcementcommunity policingcriminal investigationreport writingPOST certifiedemergency response

Related Careers

Hiring Industries

City PoliceCounty SheriffState PoliceFederal AgenciesCampus Police

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