CFChooseField
Public Safety

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Download graphic

Median pay

$76,290
Median annual pay for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

3.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

53,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

698,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+22,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Active Learning
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2Law and Government
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Psychology
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Education and Training

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Deductive Reasoning
  4. 4Inductive Reasoning
  5. 5Oral Expression
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Stress Tolerance
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Self-Control
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Adaptability

Work activities

  1. 1Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  5. 5In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
  6. 6Telephone Conversations

Representative tasks

  • Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
  • 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.
  • Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
  • Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
  • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
  • Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
  • Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.

Software and tools

Microsoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Visio · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyComputer aided composite drawing softwareSpillman Technologies Records ManagementSmugMug FlickrSmartDraw Legal

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.