Occupation
Police Officer

Industry
Protective Service

Median Wages (2008)
$24.72 hourly
$51.410 annually

Do you have a passion for social justice and desire to keep others safe? Do you have nerves of steel? Then you may want to consider being a Police Officer. Police Officers maintain public order by enforcing the law, making sure people obey the rules of the road, and arresting those who break the law.

Between 2006 and 2016, 243,000 additional jobs will be created. This job is growing at a normal rate, with a 7 to 13 percent increase projected between 2006 and 2016.

Typical Work Activities

• Respond to emergency phone calls.
• Protect people and property from harm.
• Arrest those who break the law or pose a danger to others.
• Regulate traffic by writing tickets and assessing penalties to those who do not obey the rules of the road.
• Monitor suspicious activities and report suspicious behavior.
• Patrol assigned areas on foot, horse, or car and respond to calls for assistance.

Work Styles

• Ability to judge a situation for signs of danger
• Clear oral communication style
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Integrity
• Social perceptiveness

Stepping Stone Positions
There is one national apprenticeship associated with this career: Police Officer 1. Apprenticeship programs offer training in a specific trade and provide the requisite work hours.

For the Police Officer apprenticeship, the training period is approximately 2 years.

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

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