6 answers
Robert
Student
Portland, Oregon
3
Questions
Asked
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what do you do as a patrol officer?
what do you do as a patrol officer?
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Robert the job of patrol officers is to enforce ordinances, laws, prevent crime, control crowds, arrest violators, and regulate traffic. They also perform other duties that may include monitoring an assigned area for unauthorized or suspicious activity, responding to reports of emergencies and possible crime such as robberies, and building good relationships with community members. To be a successful patrol officer, you should have solid judgment, excellent communication skills, and decision-making skills in stressful situations.
PATROL OFFICER REQUIREMENTS
The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA POST) oversees the standards and requirements to become a cop in California. Although there are minimum state-wide requirements that apply to all aspiring police recruits, local police departments may impose additional standards above the minimum. For example, although a college degree may not be mandatory to become a police officer in California, many local departments may require an associate’s degree. As with many public sectors, although the minimum requirement may be a high school diploma or GED, college credit is seen as a strong advantage in terms of employability and promotion within law enforcement. The minimum guidelines set by CA Post state that candidates for peace officer positions must:
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a US citizen by birth or naturalization
• Hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Pass an extensive background investigation indicating the candidate is free of felony convictions, drug use or certain misdemeanors
• Have no physical, emotional, or mental conditions that may interfere with police work
PATROL OFFICER REQUIREMENTS
The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA POST) oversees the standards and requirements to become a cop in California. Although there are minimum state-wide requirements that apply to all aspiring police recruits, local police departments may impose additional standards above the minimum. For example, although a college degree may not be mandatory to become a police officer in California, many local departments may require an associate’s degree. As with many public sectors, although the minimum requirement may be a high school diploma or GED, college credit is seen as a strong advantage in terms of employability and promotion within law enforcement. The minimum guidelines set by CA Post state that candidates for peace officer positions must:
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a US citizen by birth or naturalization
• Hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Pass an extensive background investigation indicating the candidate is free of felony convictions, drug use or certain misdemeanors
• Have no physical, emotional, or mental conditions that may interfere with police work
Thank You Michelle. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Robert,
There are some specialized police agencies, where things are different. Such as campus police. I worked as an Airport Police Officer, in a very safe airport, and we had one stabbing and one robbery during my 25 years! We did a lot of community policing. Visiting with travelers and employees. A large part of our job was visibility. Being seen. Visibility is a crime deterrent. We also had a higher than expected amount of "Emergency detentions" of persons with mental illness - where we send them to the hospital for 72 hr. evaluation. Much of our job was foot patrol, inside the terminals, and traffic control outside the terminals. We got to drive one or two days a week. Sometimes this was on the streets, patrolling parking lots, handling accidents, helping people find where they parked their cars, etc. Sometimes we drove on the airfield, enforcing security badging requirements and responding to aircraft emergencies. I liked watching the planes!
Did we make arrests? Sure. But, I remember being on a review board and asking a candidate if he was willing to leave behind the excitement of his current job and come to a department where he could go a whole month without using his handcuffs. After he had been working with us for a while, he came to me and said he didn't realize I had been serious!
The down side of the low level of crime was that when it came time to handle a situation, it was not second-nature to us as it is to officers who handle crime day in and day out.
Thank you for your interest in law enforcement! Wishing you the best!
Kim
There are some specialized police agencies, where things are different. Such as campus police. I worked as an Airport Police Officer, in a very safe airport, and we had one stabbing and one robbery during my 25 years! We did a lot of community policing. Visiting with travelers and employees. A large part of our job was visibility. Being seen. Visibility is a crime deterrent. We also had a higher than expected amount of "Emergency detentions" of persons with mental illness - where we send them to the hospital for 72 hr. evaluation. Much of our job was foot patrol, inside the terminals, and traffic control outside the terminals. We got to drive one or two days a week. Sometimes this was on the streets, patrolling parking lots, handling accidents, helping people find where they parked their cars, etc. Sometimes we drove on the airfield, enforcing security badging requirements and responding to aircraft emergencies. I liked watching the planes!
Did we make arrests? Sure. But, I remember being on a review board and asking a candidate if he was willing to leave behind the excitement of his current job and come to a department where he could go a whole month without using his handcuffs. After he had been working with us for a while, he came to me and said he didn't realize I had been serious!
The down side of the low level of crime was that when it came time to handle a situation, it was not second-nature to us as it is to officers who handle crime day in and day out.
Thank you for your interest in law enforcement! Wishing you the best!
Kim
Danny Kono
Homicide Investigator (Ret.)
22
Answers
Pomona, California
Updated
Danny’s Answer
Hi Robert,
Doc's answer is spot on and needs little else in the way of articulation.
I "pushed a black and white" for 12 of my 30 years and no two days were ever alike! The city or location you work patrol, as well as the shift/hours, will dictate what your duties will entail. By design, I worked a very busy city and worked a very busy 10-hour shift, from 5p-3a. I worked weekends and had mid-week off. I loved the action and excitement! Slower/smaller cities or day shift hours can be filled with report calls and monotony. I was very proactive and wanted to be in the thick of it. That meant responding to high priority in-progress calls, such as shootings, robberies or other violent crimes. I also became a gang and narcotics expert and spent a lot of time patrolling areas affected by one or both. A day shift patrol can expect to work more property crimes and traffic enforcement assignments. No less important and a lot easier on the family life! "Patrol" is thee most important component of law enforcement, in my opinion. Not only do they hold the 'Thin Blue Line,' but they are the backbone of effective police community relations. I hope this added to Doc's information and was beneficial. Good luck with your career choice!
Doc's answer is spot on and needs little else in the way of articulation.
I "pushed a black and white" for 12 of my 30 years and no two days were ever alike! The city or location you work patrol, as well as the shift/hours, will dictate what your duties will entail. By design, I worked a very busy city and worked a very busy 10-hour shift, from 5p-3a. I worked weekends and had mid-week off. I loved the action and excitement! Slower/smaller cities or day shift hours can be filled with report calls and monotony. I was very proactive and wanted to be in the thick of it. That meant responding to high priority in-progress calls, such as shootings, robberies or other violent crimes. I also became a gang and narcotics expert and spent a lot of time patrolling areas affected by one or both. A day shift patrol can expect to work more property crimes and traffic enforcement assignments. No less important and a lot easier on the family life! "Patrol" is thee most important component of law enforcement, in my opinion. Not only do they hold the 'Thin Blue Line,' but they are the backbone of effective police community relations. I hope this added to Doc's information and was beneficial. Good luck with your career choice!
Walter Ozeki
Retired law enforcement and current security professional
33
Answers
Honolulu, Hawaii
Updated
Walter’s Answer
Hello Robert,
While each jurisdiction might have its unique emphasis, the fundamental duties typically remain the same or very similar. Your primary role is to uphold laws, ordinances, and often a variety of codes. This is a crucial part of our pledge to "maintain peace". Traffic regulation, accident investigation, responding to medical emergencies, and handling other calls within your scope of duty are also significant responsibilities. Our oath concludes with "any and all other duties", which means that when the public is unsure of who to reach out to for help, they usually turn to the police. As a patrol officer, you're likely to be the one responding.
On a brighter note, most departments offer a wide array of opportunities to pursue what you're passionate about, even within the patrol setting. This could range from crime reduction units, bicycle units, ATV units, K9 handlers, gang units, to community policing, just to name a few. Put in the effort, build a commendable reputation, and find your passion - you have the power to shape your own future. And this is just within the patrol function. As you gain more experience and possibly get promoted, even more doors will open for you.
While each jurisdiction might have its unique emphasis, the fundamental duties typically remain the same or very similar. Your primary role is to uphold laws, ordinances, and often a variety of codes. This is a crucial part of our pledge to "maintain peace". Traffic regulation, accident investigation, responding to medical emergencies, and handling other calls within your scope of duty are also significant responsibilities. Our oath concludes with "any and all other duties", which means that when the public is unsure of who to reach out to for help, they usually turn to the police. As a patrol officer, you're likely to be the one responding.
On a brighter note, most departments offer a wide array of opportunities to pursue what you're passionate about, even within the patrol setting. This could range from crime reduction units, bicycle units, ATV units, K9 handlers, gang units, to community policing, just to name a few. Put in the effort, build a commendable reputation, and find your passion - you have the power to shape your own future. And this is just within the patrol function. As you gain more experience and possibly get promoted, even more doors will open for you.
James Hammond
Criminal Investigator at Dallas County District Attorney's Office
35
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
James’s Answer
It is important to remember that along with the duties outlined by others here and even though you will be in uniform, driving a marked vehicle, you very well may be the first 'investigator' arriving at a major crime scene. Things you observe/document, witnesses you identify and other actions you take can be critical in solving the crime.
Houcine Lakhchach
Career Development Specialist | U.S Department exchange Alumnus | EFL/ESL trainer | Program manager
139
Answers
Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Morocco
Updated
Houcine’s Answer
Hi Robert,
As a patrol officer, your primary responsibility is to maintain public safety and enforce laws within a designated jurisdiction. This involves patrolling assigned areas, responding to emergency calls, conducting traffic stops, and investigating suspicious activities. Patrol officers also play a crucial role in preventing and addressing criminal activities, conducting arrests when necessary, and providing assistance to individuals in distress. Community engagement is a significant aspect of the role, involving interactions with residents, business owners, and community organizations to build positive relationships and address local concerns. Additionally, patrol officers may be involved in accident investigations, crowd control, and ensuring the overall well-being of the community they serve. The work of a patrol officer is dynamic, requiring adaptability and a commitment to promoting public safety and maintaining law and order.
As a patrol officer, your primary responsibility is to maintain public safety and enforce laws within a designated jurisdiction. This involves patrolling assigned areas, responding to emergency calls, conducting traffic stops, and investigating suspicious activities. Patrol officers also play a crucial role in preventing and addressing criminal activities, conducting arrests when necessary, and providing assistance to individuals in distress. Community engagement is a significant aspect of the role, involving interactions with residents, business owners, and community organizations to build positive relationships and address local concerns. Additionally, patrol officers may be involved in accident investigations, crowd control, and ensuring the overall well-being of the community they serve. The work of a patrol officer is dynamic, requiring adaptability and a commitment to promoting public safety and maintaining law and order.