JOB DESCRIPTION

Maintain order, enforce laws and ordinances, and protect life and property in an assigned patrol district. Perform combination of following duties: patrol a specific area on foot or in a vehicle; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts.

SKILLS AND APTITUDES NEEDED

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures and the democratic political process Knowledge of weaponry, public safety, security operations and the protection of people, data, and property Understanding of human behavior and performance Ability to speak clearly, listen and understand information, and respond quickly Ability to see details at a distance

Law enforcement officers perform duties in a variety of ways, depending on the size and type of their organization. They may direct traffic at the scene of a fire, investigate a burglary, or give first aid to an accident victim. Many urban police agencies are becoming more involved in community policing—a practice in which an officer builds relationships with the citizens of local neighborhoods and mobilizes the public to help fight crime.

Some police officers specialize in such diverse fields as chemical and microscopic analysis, training and firearms instruction, or handwriting and fingerprint identification. Others work with special units such as horseback, bicycle, motorcycle or harbor patrol, canine corps, or special weapons and tactics (SWAT) or emergency response teams.