Introduction
A Policeman, law enforcement officer, security guard, and people in similar occupations operate in many workplaces and perform a wide variety of tasks.
Behind the generic term of policeman hides a multitude of positions with different missions.
Their common point: being responsible for public order and law enforcement
There is a multitude of functions within the police force.
There are both road patrol officers, community police officers, shooting instructors, and dog handlers.
Some investigators specialize in collisions, others in murders or technological crimes, etc.
Responsibilities
- Respond to emergency calls, such as crimes, accidents, incidents, collisions, fires, violent situations, and natural disasters.
- Patrolling designated areas to maintain public safety.
- Apply the law and regulations.
- Controlling traffic in emergencies, road works, etc.
- Investigate crimes and incidents.
- Give first aid.
- Arrest and also draw up fines
- Interview and write depositions
- Monitor people (spinning), guard places
- Carry out searches and excavations
- Build a case that can be presented to the court.
- Investigators also try to anticipate crimes through their knowledge of the criminal world.
Education and Training
To become a policeman in one of the police forces of the United States, it is generally necessary to obtain a diploma of collegial studies in police techniques.
One can also become a police officer with a university degree or a technique in other fields of study, such as criminology or computer science.
Candidates must be 18years and above and also a U.S citizen. To become a policeman, candidates attend a training academy.
Salary
The average annual salary of a policeman in the U.S is $67,290. It can range from $39,130 to $113,860. Their salary, however, increases according to their seniority and the responsibilities entrusted to them.
Health and Safety Risks
The police profession is one of the most dangerous and the police must receive special training. The health and safety risks include
- Violent attacks.
- Working in a standing or sitting position for too long hours.
- Exposure to contagious and infectious diseases from contact with humans and animals, needles, and various other sources
- Exposure to various chemicals or biological hazards
- Pain caused by physical fatigue, and by adopting prolonged or awkward postures.
- Exposure to extreme working conditions, extreme temperatures, and also ultraviolet radiation
- Noise.
- Exposure to opioids or other substances
- Falls, trips, and slips.
- Fatigue following shift work.
- Psychological stress or trauma.
- Work in isolation.
- Risk of injury related to the various circumstances with which police officers must deal
- Dangers are associated with driving at high speeds, often in difficult road or weather conditions.
- Violence or harassment in the workplace, and also harassment from the public
Job Opportunities
Police officers are civil servants in the exclusive service of the territorial public service.
Professional in the field, the policeman is today at the heart of daily security issues, for places as well as for people.
Recruitment is therefore numerous for this demanding profession.
Skills
The police officer is a professional in the field, confronted with complex, even dangerous situations.
He must therefore be in excellent physical condition and demonstrate an infallible composure.
Representative of the institutions, he is of total diplomacy, discretion, and impartiality in his exchanges with the public.
His presentation and manners are exemplary.
In emergencies, the police officer’s sharp sense of analysis allows him to be reactive.
If he is attached to the hierarchy, he knows how to show initiative.
He loves teamwork and inspires the confidence of his teammates and also through his reliability.
Last but not least, the policeman is imbued with a strong sense of service and justice.
Career Paths
The policeman enjoys all the internal gateways of the Public Service.
He, therefore, gains in rank (vertical evolution) by internal promotion and passing specific competitions.
Depending on the places available, he can aim for the status of director or head of department
This evolution can also be “horizontal” by a change of specialization.
The policeman can also leave the civil service and get positions in private security.
Qualities
Policemen often intervene in dangerous situations.
They must therefore be resistant to stress and know how to make good decisions rapidly
They are also expected to be tough enough to uphold the law.
The investigator is distinguished by his ability to find information and also analyze it.
He is persistent.
