What It Takes To Be A Police Officer

The Career Of A Police Officer

The police must obey the law while enforcing the law.” Which means that the police have a strict policy they need to follow to not get in trouble themselves. The career of a police officer is dangerously attractive, because of the adrenaline rush you get when you are faced with danger. Also the unknown challenges you can face that change from day to day. The research will describe the career of a police officer, what is required to become a successful police officer and the impact that police officers

Apply To Become A Police Officer

Working as a police officer is a popular job, so it makes sense that each job opening has more than a few applicants. In fact, in some areas of the country, becoming a police officer can be a highly competitive process, with hundreds of qualified applicants vying for only a handful of positions. Given this, its very important to learn how to stand out from the pack of hopefuls and get the attention of those who call the shots when hiring time rolls around. The following resources can help you with everything from cleaning up your resume to understanding how to interview for the job you really want.

Step 7

Police Officer Hours And Work Environment

Work hours can vary depending on the police department. Arlington County police officers are assigned to one of three eight-hour shifts, while police stations in smaller communities may only have two 12-hour shifts, Vincent says.

However, We offer an opportunity twice a year for officers to change shifts, Vincent says. Thats our system because research shows that poor sleep patterns can affect job performance. For that reason, police officers also usually have the same days off every week, Vincent says: Weve found that some officers prefer the midnight shift because theyre night owls.

As for the work environment, Vincent says theres inherent stress in any public safety job: And on top of being physically demanding, police work can be stressful and dangerouspolice officers may suffer physical injuries during conflicts and other high-risk situations. Therefore, officers must possess the physical and mental stamina to perform their job.

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What Does It Take Police Officer Qualities And Qualifications

Police officers have noble careers. They are the source of safety for the general public. With the touch of a button, you can get the assistance you so desperately need. Whether you have been in a car accident or fear someone is breaking into your home, the people you need to protect and serve are your local and state police. So, you think you have what it takes to fill this role?

You might be a big fan of police work. Maybe you watch all of the top investigation series on TV. You might even have family members who are on the force, so you feel that this role is in your blood. But its not enough to want to become a cop. You must develop the qualities of a great police officer and meet the demands of the job. Just what are these must-have police officer qualifications? Check out this guide as we break down what it takes to land an exciting career as a police officer today.

Police Officer Qualities and Skillsets

Police officers work in a mentally, physically, and emotionally-demanding field. Some of the most important qualities that a police officer must possess include:

• Physical fitness

• Have no felony convictions, nor have been convicted of any class A or B misdemeanors
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass a written entry test

In addition to a police officer career, the Criminal Justice degree at Goodwin can also help students prepare for other, related careers in areas such as:

• Corrections

How To Become A Police Officer In Toronto

The Toronto Police Service is an elite law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the people of Toronto. As the Canadian metropolitan area with the most police officers, Toronto has many career opportunities for aspiring and current police officers, but the hiring process can be competitive. A policing degree or a criminology degree can set candidates apart, lead to promotions, and open doors to a broad range of job opportunities.

Lauriers online Bachelor of Arts in Policing and online Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Policing develop analytical and critical thinking skills, foster key competencies required for leadership roles, and give public safety professionals an edge in their overall careers and salary potentialno matter where in Canada they may be studying from.

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Federal Police Force Salary & Benefits

If youre interested in the federal police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police offers new hires $53,144/year with an incremental increase to $86,110 within 3 years of employment. Benefits include paid vacation days, an RCMP pension plan, medical, dental and family health plans and group life insurance. The RCMP also offers generous maternity and parental allowances as well as financial support for continuing education and professional development opportunities.

Continuing Education And Career Advancement

Once you have completed all of these steps to becoming a police officer, you will still have plenty to learn. Nothing beats on-the-job experience to show you all of the specialized areas police officers might want or need to learn more about. The best officers are never done learning.

Similar to other industries, officers must meet continuing education requirements in order to renew their license. For example, Minnesota police officer requirements mandate a minimum of 48 hours of continuing education within the three-year licensing period in order to maintain their license.

In addition, active officers are required to train annually in use of force and once every five years in emergency vehicle operations/pursuit driving. Specialized training may also be directed by your police department based on federal and local needs. Departments might also incentivize other education opportunities to encourage their officers forward. Additional training or credentials may be required for those looking to climb the police ranks.

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Job Description Of A Police Officer

A police officer is usually assigned to a specific patrol area where they would be responsible to enforce the law, look for suspicious activity and may even search and/or arrest suspected criminals. They respond to emergencies, enforce traffic laws and would investigate complaints. Police officers often work with a partner and wear uniforms in order to be properly identified by the public.

In the police force, strong communication skills are needed as well as listening skills and are used on a daily basis in order to interact with the public, co-workers, supervisors and other teams such as in an emergency situation. They should be physically fit as the job often requires running, apprehending suspects and responding to emergencies of all kinds.

A police officer also works on specific crimes, for instance, special weapons and tactics teams, narcotics or even canine corps. However, one would usually have served for some length of time on patrol before advancing to these specific crime units. A police officer may also be assigned a designated area to watch for speeding violators in traffic. Some other areas of serving would be as a crime investigator, solving murders or other crimes. The police force is both a physically and mentally demanding career with a high-stress level and is considered very dangerous.

How Much Do Police Officers Make

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for police officers is $63,150 per year. Transit and railroad police officers get paid more, earning on average $71,820 per year, while detectives and criminal investigators make a median annual salary of $83,170.

Pay can vary by state. Police officers in California rake in an annual mean wage of $105,220 meanwhile, police officers in Texas earn $63,740 a year on average. You can look up the average salary for police officers in your location by using the Monster Salary Guide.

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Police Officer Salaries Across The Us

Salaries of police officers are based on many factors, including experience, skills and training. However, one of the most important factors is based on geography. Certain areas of the country pay more, but are often in areas that have higher costs of living. For more information about what police officers can make and where they can make it, check out the map below.

What Is The Workplace Of A Police Officer Like

Police officers rarely work a regular, 40-hour week. Officers work late at night, on the weekends, and even on holidays. Most police officers work outdoors while on patrol, and are subjected to all types of weather conditions. Police work is also mentally gruelling. Officers often witness terrible crimes or become the focus of a criminal’s rage and abuse. Police officers must handle the stress brought on by these situations while remaining calm and collected.

Working as a police officer can bring on a range of emotions. It can leave you feeling satisfied, sad, rewarded, disgruntled, lonely and fulfilled, all within the same shift. A police officer needs to be a warrior, an information booth, a social worker, a guardian angel, a marriage counselor, and an arbitrator . The mental challenges are far more rigorous than all of the physical challenges put together.

Police officers carry the power of life and death on their hips, and are empowered to do things that, were they done by civilians, would get those civilians arrested. They can control traffic, take and imprison people against their will, and seize property. However, they are constantly reminded of the constraints that they must work under in order to exercise that power lawfully and fairly.

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Police Commission Why Would You Want To Become A Police Officer Many People Join The Force

Police Commission Why would you want to become a police officer? Many people join the force because they want to serve and protect their state from criminals and dangers. Some people join because you dont usually need a high end education to join. Of course some people join because they want to abuse their power. Becoming a police officer requires a long training period that covers most, if not all aspects of becoming a police officer. This all happens at a Police Academy. In order to join the

What Is The Hiring Process

There are some barriers to employment in public safety that do not apply to most ordinary careers. You should be aware that the application, selection and appointment process may take four to six months to complete, and in some circumstances, up to a year.

After a relatively simple initial application process, a promising candidate must successfully complete the following:

1. Take a written test.

2. Pass a physical agility test.

3. Sit for an oral board interview.

4. Pass a background evaluation.

The pre-employment background check will look at a number of things, including criminal record, credit history, military record, current and previous employment history and references.

While there are certain infractions that automatically disqualify candidates, including all felony convictions as well as misdemeanors that prohibit the possession of a firearm, such as those involving domestic violence, agencies may be willing to work with you if you’ve demonstrated a clean record in the years leading up to your application. For example, the city of Durham, North Carolina, will consider applicants with a DUI conviction more than five years prior to application class A and class B misdemeanors may also be permissible if they likewise occurred more than five years prior.

Dishonorable discharge from the military, however, is another automatic disqualifier, as is a flagrant history of financial irresponsibility as demonstrated through a candidate’s credit report.

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Get The Right Police Education & Training

There was a time when becoming a police officer was as simple as graduating high school or earning your GED, then attending a short training academy before diving into on-the-job training. And though those opportunities do still exist, especially in smaller departments, most departments have raised their standards of education to at least two years of post-secondary work. This means pursing an associate degree in law enforcement or a related field, such as criminal justice, criminology, or police science should be the first option to consider. The associate degree can then serve as a stepping stone to the bachelors degree, which then leads to graduate degree options.

However, other routes to the profession do exist. In addition to the on-the-job training after completing academy training, there is also the military option. Those who work as military police or in a similar capacity while serving their country can be perfectly suited to move into a police force after their military time is up. Lets take a look at the options.

Associate Degree in Law Enforcement

Bestfor? Those who want to stand outagainst the competition, or need a basic college degree to apply fora particular job opening.

Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement

Best for? Those who have the time and financial resources to earn a four-year degree, want to work in federal law enforcement, or anticipate future professional advancement.

Masters Degree in Law Enforcement

Military experience in lieu of a degree

Problem Solving And Quick Thinking

In this line of work, youll need to think on your feet. Being a police officer means you are often the first person to respond to a call for help. This means you will need to make quick decisions under pressure. Youll be provided with the necessary training and expertise to handle these situations, so you feel confident when making that call.

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What Does It Take To Be A Cop

• |Industry, Jobs and Careers

It takes a special type of person to aspire to be a police officer. It takes an even more special type of person to actually become a police officer. Not only do individuals need to possess the intangible qualities of bravery and a sense of duty, they must also pass rigorous testing and screening to achieve the title police officer. So if youre thinking about a career in law enforcement, heres what you need to know.

Municipal Police Force Salaries & Benefits

In comparison to the federal police force, the municipal police agencies offer slightly higher salaries.

The Calgary Police Service offers a starting salary of approximately $66,000/year.

The Vancouver Police Department offers new hires $70,154/year with an incremental increase to $90,198 after 3 years. Benefits include paid vacation, medical and dental benefits and a BC Municipal Pension Plan membership.

The Toronto Police Service has a starting salary of $63,564.98 for their cadets. After year 3, police officers receive an annual salary of $90,836. Benefits include paid vacation, family medical and dental benefits, life insurance, pension plan, parental/maternity leave and more.

Considering that the median income for individual Canadians was $36,400 in 2018, according to Statistics Canada, the starting salary for a Canadian police officer is an attractive one.

When deciding between the federal or municipal level, keep in mind that while the RCMP might have a lower salary, the role involves police duties at the international, federal, provincial and municipal levels with a much wider variety in operational and administrative opportunities.Some specializations that are unique to the RCMP are: Integrated Border Enforcement Team, National Security, Marine Services, International Peace Operations and many, many more.

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Law Enforcement Degrees & Training

Are You Already A Police Officer

If you are a working or retired police officer, Lauriers Honours Bachelor in Policing degree is just for you. Designed for those with at least a year of full-time professional work as a police officer, this program is a great fit for those with experience seeking to elevate their career and understanding.

Depending on your prior education and professional experience, you may be eligible to transfer up to 10 of the 20 total credits mandated for the program’s completion. Connect with an enrolment advisor or to learn more.

While police organizations provide new recruits with basic constable training, obtaining a policing degree provides the necessary skills to evaluate and apply different perspectives to better operate in a society that often scrutinizes and challenges police actions. You’ll combine the real-world skills and experience you have acquired in the service with a broader understanding of justice, investigative technique, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving that will help you better serve citizens. Earning a degree later in your career expands your options for new higher-paid roles after retiring from the service.

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