33-3051.01 - Police Patrol Officers

Updated 2010

Summary Report for:
33-3051.01 - Police Patrol Officers

Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.

Sample of reported job titles: Police Officer, Patrolman, Patrol Officer, Police Sergeant, State Trooper, Police Patrol Officer, Public Safety Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent, Officer

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.
Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
Photograph or draw diagrams of crime or accident scenes and interview principals and eyewitnesses.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Handcuffs — Metal handcuffs; Plastic handcuffs

Handguns — Semiautomatic pistols; Service revolvers

Notebook computers — Laptop computers; Mobile data computers

Police vehicles — Police bicycles; Police motorcycles; Police patrol cars

Two way radios — Base station radios; Police car radios

Technology used in this occupation:

Data base user interface and query software — Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS; National Crime Information Center NCIC database; National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN *; Spillman Technologies Records Management

Graphics or photo imaging software — Computer aided composite drawing software; DesignWare 3D EyeWitness; SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal; The CAD Zone The Crime Zone

Map creation software — Crime mapping software; ESRI ArcView

Spreadsheet software — IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel

Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Microsoft Word

* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.

Knowledge

Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Sociology and Anthropology — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills

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.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.

Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Work Activities

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Work Context

Deal With External Customers — How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Frequency of Decision Making — How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
SVP Range	(6.0 to < 7.0)

There are 2 recognized apprenticeable specialties associated with this occupation:
Police Officer I; Master Homeland Security Specialist

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website.

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
42	High school diploma or equivalent
24	Associate's degree
23	Some college, no degree

Interests

Interest code: REC

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Styles

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Work Values

Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Related Occupations

29-2041.00	Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
33-1012.00	First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
33-3012.00	Correctional Officers and Jailers
33-3021.01	Police Detectives
33-3021.02	Police Identification and Records Officers
33-3021.03	Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
33-3051.03	Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Bright Outlook
33-3052.00	Transit and Railroad Police
33-9011.00	Animal Control Workers
53-2022.00	Airfield Operations Specialists

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Employment data collected from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Industry data collected from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.

Median wages (2011)	$26.07 hourly, $54,230 annual
Employment (2010)	664,000 employees
Projected growth (2010-2020)	Slower than average (3% to 9%)
Projected job openings (2010-2020)	249,400
Top industries (2010)	Government

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 wage data and 2010-2020 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Police and Detectives . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.

Summary Report for: 33-3051.01 - Police Patrol Officers