Police Officer

Answer 1

Law enforcement is one of the oldest fields in the world, as many ancient civilizations included some type of policing force. In modern America, the role of the police is to see that laws are upheld and justice is served, and this can be done in a variety of ways.

In smaller towns, the duties of a cop may vary widely, as a single department may suffice for the entire population. However, most cities have jobs that are highly specialized. Some police officers may spend most of their time at a desk poring over evidence, while others may spend most of their time responding to calls in a squad car.

From humble traffic cops to police chiefs, the structure of the police is carefully regimented so that each officer answers to someone. Having things highly organized helps to prevent corruption and allows everyone’s job to go more smoothly.

In order to become a police officer, a candidate is generally required to be a high school graduate at least 21 years of age, and those with college degrees are increasingly favored. Those who want to become police officers must complete training at a police academy.

They will need to pass both written and physical tests, and in many cases, they must meet basic requirements involving physical factors such as eyesight, weight and height. Further civil service tests are required for officers who wish to advance in rank, and taking college courses in the field of criminal justice is encouraged.

The median salary for a police officer is about $42,000, though rank and specialty factor heavily into salary. There’s some degree of danger in most police work, though certain fields are less hazardous than others. Most police officers work at least 40-hour weeks, and those with the lowest rank can expect to work weekends, holidays and other hours that are not ideal. On the other hand, they will usually be paid extra for overtime.

Police officers are an important part of any community, so this is a job that is not going away anytime soon. Job seekers looking for an intriguing and secure career should consider law enforcement as a viable possibility.