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Careers / Police Patrol Officers |
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Summary Description |
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Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators. |
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Sample Job Titles |
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1. |
Accident Prevention Squad Police Officer |
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2. |
Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent |
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3. |
Animal Cop |
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4. |
Assistant Chief of Police |
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5. |
Border Guard |
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6. |
Border Patrol Agent |
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7. |
Border Patrol Officer |
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8. |
Border Police |
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9. |
Cadet |
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10. |
Campus Police Officer |
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11. |
City Constable |
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12. |
City Marshal |
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13. |
Community Service Patrol Officer |
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14. |
Complaint Evaluation Officer |
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15. |
Constable |
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16. |
Cop |
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17. |
Crime Prevention Police Officer |
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18. |
Crime Scene Officer |
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19. |
Customs Patrol Officer |
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20. |
Deputy Sheriff |
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21. |
Desk Officer |
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22. |
Detective |
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23. |
Detective Sergeant |
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24. |
Drug Enforcement Agent |
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25. |
Harbor Patrol Police |
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26. |
Highway Patrol Officer |
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27. |
Highway Patrol Pilot |
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28. |
Immigration Guard |
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29. |
K-9 Police Officer |
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30. |
Law Enforcement Officer |
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31. |
Marshal |
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32. |
Motorcycle Police |
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33. |
Mounted Police |
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34. |
Officer |
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35. |
Park Ranger |
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36. |
Patrol Driver |
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37. |
Patrol Officer |
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38. |
Patrol Sergeant |
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39. |
Patrolman |
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40. |
Peace Officer |
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41. |
Police Booking Officer |
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42. |
Police Cadet |
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43. |
Police Canine Patrol Officer |
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44. |
Police Inspector |
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45. |
Police Officer |
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46. |
Police or Patrol Park Officer |
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47. |
Police Patrol Officer |
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48. |
Police Sergeant |
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49. |
Police Worker |
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50. |
Policeman |
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51. |
Policewoman |
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52. |
Protective Officer |
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53. |
Protective Service Specialist |
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54. |
Public Safety Officer |
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55. |
Public Safety Police |
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56. |
Ranger |
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57. |
Safety Instruction Police Officer |
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58. |
Safety Patrol Officer |
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59. |
Security Police |
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60. |
State Highway Police Officer |
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61. |
State Patrol Officer |
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62. |
State Trooper |
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63. |
SWAT Team Member (Special Weapons and Tactics Team Member) |
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64. |
Town Marshal |
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65. |
Traffic Officer |
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66. |
Training Sergeant |
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67. |
Trooper |
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68. |
Uniform Patrol Police Officer |
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Job Tasks |
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Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
- Maintain public order or security.
- Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.
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Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
- Prepare investigation or incident reports.
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Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
- Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
- Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.
- Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel.
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Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Apprehend criminal suspects.
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Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
- Patrol properties to maintain safety.
- Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.
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Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
- Investigate accidents to determine causes.
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Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
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Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.
- Investigate accidents to determine causes.
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Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
- Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
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Photograph or draw diagrams of crime or accident scenes and interview principals and eyewitnesses.
- Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
- Record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras.
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Relay complaint and emergency-request information to appropriate agency dispatchers.
- Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.
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Evaluate complaint and emergency-request information to determine response requirements.
- Determine operational procedures.
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Process prisoners, and prepare and maintain records of prisoner bookings and prisoner status during booking and pre-trial process.
- Record information about suspects or criminals.
- Maintain operational records.
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Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.
- Monitor access or flow of people to prevent problems.
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Issue citations or warnings to violators of motor vehicle ordinances.
- Issue warnings or citations.
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Direct traffic flow and reroute traffic in case of emergencies.
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Inform citizens of community services and recommend options to facilitate longer-term problem resolution.
- Inform the public about policies, services or procedures.
- Recommend improvements to increase safety or reduce risks.
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Provide road information to assist motorists.
- Assist motorists or pedestrians.
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Inspect public establishments to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
- Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations.
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Act as official escorts, such as when leading funeral processions or firefighters.
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Work Activities |
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Getting Information —
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment —
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events —
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public —
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems —
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Communicating with Persons Outside Organization —
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others —
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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Documenting/Recording Information —
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates —
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards —
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
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Processing Information —
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Assisting and Caring for Others —
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships —
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Performing General Physical Activities —
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge —
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Analyzing Data or Information —
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings —
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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Interacting With Computers —
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material —
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others —
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People —
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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Thinking Creatively —
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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Developing Objectives and Strategies —
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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Provide Consultation and Advice to Others —
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work —
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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Training and Teaching Others —
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
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Performing Administrative Activities —
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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Developing and Building Teams —
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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Handling and Moving Objects —
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates —
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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Scheduling Work and Activities —
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others —
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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Coaching and Developing Others —
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information —
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
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Selling or Influencing Others —
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. |
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Controlling Machines and Processes —
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
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Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment —
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
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Nature of the Work |
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Working Conditions |
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Did you know... |
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The College Media Library provides links to college articles, images, virtual tours and viewbooks! |
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