There are many different types of police officer jobs available to qualified candidates. Here are some options you may want to consider:
Examples of Police Officer Jobs
If you are interested in getting a job as a police officer, you may want to consider working at the city or county level.
City Police Officer
Local police take responsibility for law enforcement in the area where they have jurisdiction. If you take on this role, you may be patrolling a neighborhood on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, or in a car (marked or unmarked). With this type of work, you may be asked to respond to a variety of situations, including:
- Traffic Accidents
- Kidnappings
- Medical Emergencies
- Robberies
- Domestic Disputes
- Suicides
- Many additional incidents
You will also need to be prepared to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Deputy Sheriff
The individual acting as Sheriff is responsible for law enforcement in a particular county. He or she is usually elected to this position and will have a number of deputies acting under his or her authority.
A deputy sheriff will have similar duties to a city police officer. These trained professionals are entrusted with protecting the public and enforcing the law. In addition, the local sheriff's department is usually given the job of housing prisoners. Depending on the jurisdiction, part of your job may be to supervise people who are either awaiting trial or are serving a relatively short sentence. Officers working with the Sheriff's Department may also be asked to serve legal documents, such as subpoenas and court orders.
Deputy sheriffs are also expected to work shifts, including being scheduled on weekends and holidays.
Qualifications Needed to Work as a Police Officer
Specific qualifications vary, depending on where you are applying for work, but the following list will give you some idea of the requirements for an entry-level police recruit:
- Minimum Age Requirement of 21 years
- Valid Driver's License
- High School Graduate or G.E.D. Recipient
- U.S. Citizen
Additionally, you will be required to pass a fitness or physical agility test and a written examination in addition to being interviewed.
Where to Find Police Officer Jobs
The Internet is a wonderful source of information when you are looking for employment opportunities, including police officer jobs. Here are some sites where you can find job postings:
- CopCareer.com has teamed up with Careerbuilder.com to post available job openings for police officer, dispatcher, security officer and cadet/internship positions. Search for the perfect position for you by keyword, city, or state.
- Officer.com posts opportunities in various locations throughout the United States. Job seekers can search through the postings by job title (Officer, Training Officer, Traffic/Parking Enforcement, State Trooper, etc.) or by state.
- Monster.com also has postings for police officer jobs. You have the option of searching through listings or setting up an agent that will e-mail you with jobs that fit the criteria you set. This option is less time-consuming than continuously searching for new job opportunities on a daily basis.
If you have a specific police or sheriff's department you are interested in applying to, you can use the Internet to find out more about available positions, what your job would entail after you are hired, and when and how to apply.
Be sure to follow the instructions carefully when you are looking for police officer jobs. Failure to provide the requested information or apply in the manner requested by the Force may mean that your application will not be considered any further. Police work is not for someone who is unable to observe the proper procedures as directed by the Department.
