Fresh Profile: Police Officer Jobs

Published on 2008-07-21

Police officer jobs encompass a wide range of positions, from uniformed officers to detectives, sheriffs and state troopers. Nationwide, police and detectives held about 861,000 jobs in 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Because police officers enforce many different aspects of the law, law enforcement jobs offer a broad array of career choices. A uniformed police officer (the kind we are accustomed to seeing on the road) conducts general enforcement duties. These duties include, but are not limited to, responding to calls for service, conducting regular patrols and directing traffic. A great deal of a uniformed officer's time is also spent completing paperwork. An officer can be employed as a detective or criminal investigator and may work for a local, state or federal agency. For example, a sheriff deputy serves the county, while highway patrol officers hold police jobs at the state level. Officers can work in special units such as narcotics or special weapons and tactics (SWAT). Police officers can also specialize in a specific field such as training and firearms instruction or chemical and microscopic analysis.
Police department jobs are available across the nation in various large and small departments. In larger departments, an officer is usually assigned to a specific type of duty or jurisdiction. There is also more room for advancement in larger departments. According to the BLS, in 2006, 79% of police and detectives were employed by local governments. The nature of these jobs can vary from one state to another. For example, local law enforcement jobs in Texas can include positions within the Texas Ranger Division or the vast number of county, city and state agencies. Law enforcement jobs in New York within the educational services sector can include working for a college or a university agency such as The New York State University Police.
To be eligible for a police officer position, applicants must have at least a high school diploma, and some departments require additional college experience. Applicants who have served in military jobs or have college training in police science have a higher chance of getting into the local and state departments. There is more competition when applying for state and federal job openings because of the better pay and benefits that are available.
Officers undergo a series of tests before they can be hired, including physical examinations, personality tests and psychological tests. An individual interested in local, state or federal law enforcement jobs must possess physical and emotional stamina, strong communication and listening skills, and good problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Whether you are looking for law enforcement jobs in Philadelphia or Michigan police jobs, begin your search today at Fresho.com.