Job Description

Patrol Officer

Job Description
Police officers pursue and apprehend individuals who break the law and then issue citations, give warnings or make arrests. Most police officers patrol their jurisdictions and investigate any suspicious activity they notice.

Uniformed police officers have general law enforcement duties, including maintaining regular patrols and responding to calls for service. Much of their time is spent responding to calls and doing paperwork. They may direct traffic at the scene of an accident, investigate a burglary, or give first aid to an accident victim. In large police departments, officers usually are assigned to a specific type of duty. Many urban police agencies are 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.