Qualifications needed to become a police officer vary from agency to agency, city to city, and state to state. Some qualifications are pretty standard: A minimum of twenty-one years of age, a U.S. citizen, a high school diploma, a clean criminal record, a valid drivers license, and good physical and m

Police officers have to work in any conditions. Many locations, which range from towns and country sides, to urban areas of all size, are working grounds for police officers. Working conditions vary according to location, size. Those who work in small towns and rural communities face problems different from those met by their counterparts in larger cities. There are differences in pace, types of criminals encountered, availability of manpower, and services needed to provide enough police protection to the public. But all police officers, regardless of where they work, share certain problems; they constantly deal with human suffering, yet must always maintain self-control, and act in a calm, efficient manner. They face danger, difficulty, and frustration daily, but can do little to prevent it from happening. They also share the problem of long irregular hours, and, in some communities, a lack of public support for police officers. Police officers conducting patrol or carrying out other assignments, work outdoors in all types of weather. Some officers on special duty may perform their duties indoor at police buildings. Depending on the size of the department, police officers work alone or may have a partner. Because police agencies operate twenty-four hours a day, officers are usually required to work five day rotating shifts, including holidays and weekends. Police officers are on call at all times, and, during periods emergencies or manpower shortages, are required to work more hours. All police officers, regardless where work or the size of the department must live with the threat of physical injury or even death. Suspects who may be armed and dangerous, situations involving high-speed chases, innocent people loosing their lives, or the rescue of people attempting suicide are some of the things that make this line of work dangerous. One law enforcement officer states how difficult it is while on the job.

Patrol officers patrol assigned sectors in motor vehicles or on foot, working alone or with a partner, paying close attention to conditions and people. During patrol, police officers observe suspicious behavior, conditions, or illegal activities in their sector and report incidents such as burglaries, bank robberies, homicides, rapes, suicides, assaults, and crimes in progress. They make preliminary investigations, question victims and witnesses, recover stolen property, and take evidence into possession. They arrest suspects at crime scenes or after pursuit and use physical force or guns to stop them. When making arrest, they advise suspects of their constitutional rights, as required by law, and transport them in police vehicles to police booking and detention facilities prior to court arraignment. At the time of trial, police officers testify in court to provide evidence for prosecuting attorneys. Also traffic control is an essential part of police patrol activities. Police officers direct and control pedestrian and traffic in b

Some topics in this essay:
, Hostage Negotiation, Southern California, police officers, Crime Prevention, Canine K-9, police officer, law enforcement, Information System’s, police department, selection process, police officers regardless, police officers police, enforcement officer, law enforcement officer, agency agency, police agencies, trained police, police agency, police officers conditions, law enforcement agencies,