Essay Example on In order to be a police officer you need a high school Diploma

Police Officer In order to be a police officer you need a high school diploma Some police departments require applicants to complete one or two years of college coursework or have a associate s degree A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for federal police jobs You also need to pass the law enforcement entrance exam graduate from police academy and work toward a promotion Some skills you need to become a police officer are Empathy Compassion Nonverbal Communication Adaptability Conflict Resolution Critical Thinking and Work life balance You have to be able to work 20 years until retirement and 8 hours a day The amount of time required to complete academy training is an average of 19 weeks as of 2006 according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics The Memphis Police Department Academy usually takes 21 weeks to complete while San Diego s program lasts six months The median annual pay for a police officer in 2010 was 55 010 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics If you were to install one full time cop at each and every school in the United States it would cost more than 5 4 billion While most agencies require you to be 21 by academy graduation date some take cadets as young as 18 The maximum age can vary widely Do not assume that just because you are over 30 your chances of becoming a police officer are over Some agencies have no maximum age Most felony offenses however do prevent people from becoming a police officer or you will result in termination from the police force Misdemeanor convictions especially if they are more than five years old do not typically disqualify someone from becoming a police officer In each state those with a felony conviction are not allowed to become a police officer A felony arrest will not make it impossible to Police Officer become a police officer 

Most with a misdemeanor on their record are also typically denied the job of a police officer For certain minor misdemeanors there may be a chance In police academy they learn state laws criminal investigations patrol procedures firearms training traffic control defensive driving self defence and first aid and computer skills Police officers play a central role in the law enforcement system Police officers monitor criminal activity take part in community patrols respond to emergency calls issue tickets make arrests investigate crimes and testify in court as needed The ranking system for police officers is constable sergeant inspector chief inspector superintendent chief superintendent assistant chief constable deputy chief constable and chief constable Police officers usually focus on protecting people and property patrolling the areas they are assigned respond to calls enforce laws make arrests and issue citations A police sergeant directs supervises and assigns the work of law enforcement staff involved in traffic and field patrol investigations crime prevention community relations and various other tasks associated with the department 

Depending on the police department where you work at this salary bump can be as much as 2 000 or 3 000 more than what you earned while training According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics Survey as of May 2015 the average annual wage for police officers and sheriff's patrol officers was 61 270 versus 48 320 for all the occupations combined Police officers play an integral role in maintaining peace and ensuring the safety so employers will be looking for candidates with advanced communication skills and quick judgment Come ready to discuss how you would diffuse conflict in an emergency as well as your knowledge of relevant laws Be aware that police officers are often required to complete additional forms of assessment such as passing a written examination physical fitness and psychological test and a background check