What Do Police Patrol Officer Do?
Police Patrol Officer Definition Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.
Life As a Police Patrol Officer: What Do They Do?
- Direct traffic flow and reroute traffic in case of emergencies.
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
- Inspect public establishments to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
- Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
- Issue citations or warnings to violators of motor vehicle ordinances.
- Inform citizens of community services and recommend options to facilitate longer-term problem resolution.
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What Every Police Patrol Officer Should Know
Police Patrol Officers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles
- State Patrol Officer
- Cop
- Town Marshal
- Public Safety Officer
- Peace Officer
Police Patrol Officer Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 684,200 jobs in the United States for Police Patrol Officer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 47,700 new jobs for Police Patrol Officer by 2026. There will be an estimated 49,500 positions for Police Patrol Officer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Police Patrol Officer are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Police Patrol Officers Salary
The salary for Police Patrol Officers ranges between about $35,750 and $101,620 a year.
Police Patrol Officers who work in California, New Jersey, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Police Patrol Officers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,930 |
| Alaska | $88,030 |
| Arizona | $64,640 |
| Arkansas | $39,560 |
| California | $101,380 |
| Colorado | $72,950 |
| Connecticut | $71,920 |
| Delaware | $70,000 |
| District of Columbia | $74,940 |
| Florida | $59,610 |
| Georgia | $42,990 |
| Hawaii | $74,040 |
| Idaho | $53,880 |
| Illinois | $75,720 |
| Indiana | $55,310 |
| Iowa | $58,340 |
| Kansas | $48,350 |
| Kentucky | $45,600 |
| Louisiana | $41,550 |
| Maine | $49,840 |
| Maryland | $68,230 |
| Massachusetts | $69,870 |
| Michigan | $56,270 |
| Minnesota | $69,060 |
| Mississippi | $35,550 |
| Missouri | $48,920 |
| Montana | $56,230 |
| Nebraska | $57,530 |
| Nevada | $70,450 |
| New Hampshire | $58,120 |
| New Jersey | $83,720 |
| New Mexico | $51,250 |
| New York | $74,860 |
| North Carolina | $48,420 |
| North Dakota | $57,190 |
| Ohio | $61,040 |
| Oklahoma | $46,120 |
| Oregon | $70,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,600 |
| Rhode Island | $60,890 |
| South Carolina | $42,280 |
| South Dakota | $48,550 |
| Tennessee | $44,600 |
| Texas | $61,870 |
| Utah | $53,890 |
| Vermont | $52,940 |
| Virginia | $56,710 |
| Washington | $77,670 |
| West Virginia | $43,590 |
| Wisconsin | $62,040 |
| Wyoming | $55,050 |
What Tools & Technology do Police Patrol Officers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Police Patrol Officers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- SmugMug Flickr
- ESRI ArcView
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- National Crime Information Center NCIC database
- Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
- Law enforcement information databases
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
- SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
How to Become a Police Patrol Officer
Learn what Police Patrol Officer education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Police Patrol Officers Sector
Police Patrol Officers work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Are you already one of the many Police Patrol Officer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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