Police officers and detectives

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People depend on police officers and detectives to protect their lives and property. Law enforcement officers perform these duties in a variety of ways.

Uniformed police officers who work in municipal police departments of various sizes, small communities and rural areas have general law enforcement duties, including maintaining regular patrols and responding to calls for service. During their shift, they may identify, pursue and arrest suspected criminals, resolve problems within the community and enforce traffic laws. 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 identifying handwriting and fingerprints. Others work with special units, such as horseback, bicycle, motorcycle or harbor patrol, canine corps or special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams. Police officers and detectives at all levels must write reports and maintain meticulous records that will be needed if they testify in court.

Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs enforce the law on the county level. Sheriffs are usually elected to their posts and perform duties similar to those of a local or county police chief. Police and sheriffs' deputies who provide security in city and county courts are sometimes called bailiffs.

State police officers (sometimes called state troopers or highway patrol officers) arrest criminals statewide and patrol highways to enforce motor vehicle laws and regulations.

Detectives are plainclothes investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. They conduct interviews, examine records, observe the activities of suspects and participate in raids or arrests. They are assigned cases on a rotating basis and work on them until an arrest and conviction occurs or the case is dropped.

Many federal agencies employ police and special agents. Among them:

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents are the government's principal investigators. The FBI investigates organized crime, public corruption, financial crime, fraud against the government, bribery, copyright infringement, civil rights violations, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, air piracy, terrorism, espionage, interstate criminal activity, drug trafficking and other violations of federal statutes.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents enforce laws and regulations relating to illegal drugs. Agents may conduct complex criminal investigations, carry out surveillance of criminals and infiltrate illicit drug organizations using undercover techniques.

U.S. marshals and deputy marshals protect the federal courts and ensure the effective operation of the judicial system.

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) agents and inspectors facilitate the entry of legal visitors and immigrants to the United States and detain and deport those arriving illegally. Nearly half of sworn INS officers are border patrol agents.

Customs agents inspect cargo, baggage and articles worn or carried by people and carriers including vessels, vehicles, trains and aircraft entering or leaving the United States to enforce laws governing imports and exports.

U.S. Secret Service special agents protect the U.S. president, vice president and their immediate families, presidential candidates, former presidents and foreign dignitaries visiting the United States.

Police work can be very dangerous and stressful. Many law enforcement officers witness death and suffering. They usually scheduled to work 40-hour weeks, but paid overtime is common. Officers frequently work weekends, holidays and nights.

Training and qualifications

Civil service regulations govern the appointment of police and detectives in practically all states, large municipalities and special police agencies, as well as in many smaller ones. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 20 years of age, and must meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications. In the federal government, candidates must be at least 21 years of age but less than 37 years of age at the time of appointment. Applicants take competitive written examinations. Federal and state agencies typically require a college degree. Candidates should enjoy working with people and meeting the public.

Because personal characteristics such as honesty, judgment, integrity and a sense of responsibility are especially important in law enforcement, candidates are interviewed by senior officers and their character traits and backgrounds are investigated. Before their first assignments, officers go through a period of training.

Job outlook

Employment of police and detectives is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. The opportunity for public service through law enforcement work is attractive to many because the job is challenging and involves much personal responsibility. Law enforcement officers in many agencies may retire with a pension after 20 or 25 years of service, allowing them to pursue a second career. The number of qualified candidates exceeds the number of job openings in federal law enforcement agencies and in most state police departments. Opportunities will be better in local and special police departments. Applicants with college training in police science, military police experience or both should have the best opportunities.

Earnings

Police and detectives held about 834,000 jobs in 2000. About 80% were employed by local governments.

In 2000, police and sheriff's patrol officers had median annual earnings of $39,790. Median annual earnings of police and detective supervisors were $57,210. Median annual earnings of detectives and criminal investigators were $48,870.

Related links

For information about qualifications for employment as a FBI Special Agent.

Information about qualifications for employment as a DEA Special Agent is available from the nearest DEA office or call (800) DEA-4288.

Information about career opportunities, qualifications and training to become a deputy marshal is available from:

United States Marshals Service, Employment and Compensation Division, Field Staffing Branch, 600 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, VA 22202.

For career opportunities, qualifications and training for U.S. Secret Service Special Agents:

U.S. Secret Service, Personnel Division, Suite 7400, 950 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20223.

For information on career opportunities and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms operations:

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Personnel Division, 650 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Room 4100, Washington, DC 20226.

For information about careers in the United States Border Patrol:

U.S. Border Patrol, Chester A. Arthur Building, 425 I St. NW, Washington DC 20536.

Adapted from the Labor Department's Occupational Outlook Handbook.