Medals of honour and gleaming shields to recognise outstanding bravery may be the images that come to mind on hearing the words “Police Officer”, but the journey to earning them may be a mystery to the layperson. If peacekeeping within the neighbourhood, catching criminals, enforcing the law, and safegua... Continue Reading
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Explore Career Medals of honour and gleaming shields to recognise outstanding bravery may be the images that come to mind on hearing the words “Police Officer”, but the journey to earning them may be a mystery to the layperson. If peacekeeping within the neighbourhood, catching criminals, enforcing the law, and safeguarding life and property catch your attention, take a look at what being a Police Officer entails.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Police Officer?
A Police Officer would typically need to:
Typically, most of the work that you would do will require you to be on-field, such as traffic control or ensuring safety during an event. If you are engaged with community policing, you would likely patrol specific neighbourhoods, roads and community facilities, such as shopping malls.
As part of an investigation team, you would need to visit crime scenes. If you work in intelligence, you would conduct surveillance operations and covert operations or analyse communications data in your office. As an operations support provider, your assignment would determine your location of work.
If you serve in border patrol, you may also be required to patrol mountains, deserts, coasts and other natural or borders made by people, often in remote locations and in harsh weather with minimal facilities. You may find yourself assigned work, such as crime investigation, at short notice and may need to travel to another province, city, or state.
If you work in intelligence, you would conduct surveillance operations and covert operations or analyse communications data in your office.
Police Officers typically spend about a third of their time enforcing criminal law. The rest of the time, they stay busy with peacekeeping, maintaining order, and solving various issues. Generally, they take up full-time roles and may cover a night shift or a day shift, working up to 40 hours a week. Shifts may last 12, 10 or 8 hours in length. You may need to work on holidays and weekends as well.
When departments are understaffed, you may have to work overtime to tackle crime or emergencies in the neighbourhood. As you progress to senior positions, you may have a say in choosing the shift that suits you.
You may find vacancies listed on the websites of police services. If you wish to transfer between services or seek a job as a retired officer, you may find openings advertised by recruitment agencies.
Police Officers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Police Association (IPA), are crucial for Police Officers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Work experience in a range of different areas is beneficial for aspiring Police Officers. Aim to build diversity in your work experience to demonstrate your ability to communicate and work with communities in addressing their concerns.
Aspiring Police Officers may begin acquiring helpful experience and skills by working in community service organisations. You may also build skills, such as self-management and teamwork, by volunteering in local youth groups or coaching sports clubs. There are also numerous voluntary policing organisations in which you could volunteer your services.
The pathway, requirements and training to become a Police Officer all depend on where you will train and serve.
In some locations, a high school diploma or equivalent makes you eligible to take the exam that qualifies you for the police academy training you need to become a Police Officer. While not mandatory, some law enforcement organisations and senior positions may require aspiring Police Officers to hold a certain number of postsecondary education credits or an associate or bachelor’s degree, particularly in law enforcement or criminal justice.
You may enrol in vocational or trade schools or community colleges to earn credits, certificates or an associate degree. Other acceptable fields that build a solid foundation for specialised police training include sociology, psychology and social work. A formal degree may also prove beneficial in career progression, receiving higher pay, and taking up specialised assignments.
Admission into a police academy requires applicants to pass an entrance exam, following which they receive the crucial training, typically lasting six months, that qualifies them to serve as Police Officers upon graduation. In addition to physical conditioning and driver training, the curriculum includes law enforcement topics, such as search and seizure, criminal statutes, traffic laws, and firearms training.
In other locations, it is mandatory for new police officers to hold a bachelor’s degree. However, candidates have a choice of routes to follow, depending on which force they wish to join and whether or not they hold a degree. If they do not hold a degree, they may take the apprenticeship route that blends theoretical knowledge and practical training, offers a wage and awards a degree in professional policing practice on completion in three years.
Another route requires you to complete this degree from an accredited university before applying to join a police force within five years of graduation. If selected, you will undergo training and a two-year probationary period.
A third route for degree holders in a different field is to join a police force in a work-based program for two years, supplemented by off-the-job learning, leading you to acquire a graduate diploma in professional policing practice.
Topics of study and training include evidence-based policing, supporting vulnerable people, preventing crime, and tackling cybercrime.
A master’s degree in law enforcement may help you achieve specific professional goals, such as expertise in intelligence, research and leadership, or career advancement.
Take high school courses in business, sociology, psychology, political science and physical education if you aspire to become a police officer.
You must fulfil the age and citizenship requirements in your location to become a Police Officer. You would also typically need certification in first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) from relevant authorities.
A driver’s license is mandatory. Applicants must also clear a complete background check, which includes a clean criminal record. Other aspects checked include the applicant’s credit history, employment, residence, and academic records.
On meeting the requisite criteria, you will be allowed to take relevant exams to qualify for training.
Since licensing boards may vary between locations, check for the licensing requirements where you wish to work. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements. The licensing exam would typically test you on practical application and techniques, civil & criminal law, the rights of victims, community policing, management and communication.
Upon clearing the licensing exam, you become a licensed and employable Police Officer.
Command structures are integral to the police forces and may even follow the pattern of the armed forces. The specific titles at different levels within the ranks may vary between locations. After you complete your probationary training period, the length of which is variable depending on your location and the pathway you choose, your performance, experience, and constant display of interest will drive your career progression through the ranks.
In addition to demonstrating competency in the current role, some police forces may also require the passage of exams to qualify for the next higher rank. Police Officers with consistently high levels of performance and the right skills receive recognition and may be eligible for promotion according to the prescribed timelines. While the journey is a prestigious one, the responsibilities that come with each role are immense.
In the early phase of your career following your probationary training period, you may make a lateral move into specialist units, such as crime investigation, firearms, child protection, cybercrime, road policing, dog handling, underwater search units, mounted branches, drugs or fraud squads, and other expert law enforcement teams. The more diverse your exposure, the further you may rise.
Rising into supervisory, middle, and senior management roles will put you in charge of inspecting other officers, their work, vehicles and uniforms, guiding them on daily or complex tasks, and enforcing discipline. Depending on your rank, you may supervise shifts, particular functions or specific administrative regions, or lead a command.
In some locations, the career path typically follows the route from the supervisor role of Sergeant to the middle management roles of Lieutenant and Captain, followed by the senior management roles of Major, Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders, or Assistant Chiefs and finally the Chief.
You would begin as a Police Constable/Detective Constable in other locations. From here, progression is into the first supervisory rank of Sergeant/Detective Sergeant. Higher ranks include Inspector/Detective Inspector, Chief Inspector/Detective Chief Inspector, Superintendent/Detective Superintendent, Chief Superintendent/Detective Chief Superintendent, Assistant Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable, and Chief Constable.
Depending on the police force, there may be ranks above the Chief Superintendent, namely, Commander, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and, finally, Commissioner.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study combined with field experience in community service and leadership have the best job prospects.
Police Officers receive mentoring, training and monitoring throughout their careers from their colleagues and seniors, which helps them handle the physical, mental and emotional challenges they face while carrying out their responsibilities safely and securely. The training curriculum covers search & seizure, criminal statutes, traffic laws, firearms training, driver training, and physical conditioning.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Police Officer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,
formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge. Going beyond mandatory training to take specialised courses helps you develop expertise in specific areas and gives you a competitive edge. You must also demonstrate proof of continuing education (CE) to renew your license.
You must also periodically train in using force and manoeuvering a vehicle in emergencies or while pursuit driving. Your department may direct you to specialised training.
Enrol yourself in a university degree or online courses in criminal justice or related fields if you aspire for development and growth, even if it is a challenge to juggle rotating shifts, family responsibilities and other commitments. Professional qualifications will enhance your skills, allowing you to diversify into forensics, criminal investigation, paralegal work or corrections. You may even qualify to become intelligence or drug enforcement agents.
You may also take training or refresher courses in various areas, such as leadership, health & wellness, community policing, emergency response, firearms training, law enforcement technology, and report writing. You can boost your skills and build your leadership portfolio by taking up tasks such as patrolling, physical security and conducting arrests.
Skills Needed
You must fortify your educational qualifications and training with certain crucial soft skills and values that come with on-the-job experience. These skills help you solve stressful situations, especially when time is critical.
Communication Skills
To become a successful police officer, you should be comfortable and willing to talk to people to ascertain facts, the best way to help you solve crimes and de-escalate situations. Talking to different people can generate clues and leads. Your communication skills must also include effectively describing a situation or conveying a critical message to various people in writing or over the radio.
Good Judgement
Police Officers confront numerous situations and problems in their day-to-day work that require a swift and appropriate response to handle emergencies, safeguard citizens and property, enforce motor vehicle and criminal laws, and foster peaceful community relations. A Police Officer knows that even the span of a second can change the outcome of a decision or course of action. The only way to go about it is to apply your knowledge and experience and learn how to trust your gut to make an informed judgement of what is best for a situation.
Leadership Skills
People of the community and the larger society look up to Police Officers as those who will provide physical protection in emergencies and enforce the law. You must lead your team in undertaking law enforcement activities, such as arrest procedures and patrol operations, while displaying good samaritan behaviours. You could then lead law enforcement with your skills and capabilities and work in tandem with those in your team by channelling your leadership skills for quick decision-making.
As a Police Officer, you nobly put your life on the line time and time again, always upholding the values of freedom, justice, and crime-free society. You ensure that those guilty of crimes are put behind bars and receive due justice. Your courage, sense of duty, and selfless service reassure and inspire the public.
It can sometimes be challenging to separate your job from your individuality and personality. The duty of a Police Officer is what you do. However, it does not always have to define who you are. Hold on to the friends and family you have outside of the workplace to maintain a work-life balance, which is critical to your wellbeing and professional success.
Police Officers use gunshot technology to track gunshots in particular locations. Mapping and electronic sensors allow them to respond swiftly to detected gunfire.
What do Police Officers do?
A Police Officer would typically need to:
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