As a police officer you will be depended upon to do many jobs for the community. The first and foremost job to seek out law breakers and to protect the innocent. However a police officers job doesn't end there they must also direct traffic, control crowds, look for lost people, finding clues to solve major crimes, teaching the community about crime prevention and many other jobs.

The average starting salary is usually between $16,000 and $22,000 per year, More experienced officers may earn between $20,000 and $28,000 per year, and Sergeants and Lieutenants usually earn anywhere between $32,000 and $39,000 per year. Salaries are also dependant upon what type of city you work in rather it is big or small.

A police officer must be prepared to face many different types of weather in many different conditions. An officer must also be prepared to work long shifts and many different occupational dangers like death.

Police officers may work a 40-hour week in larger cities and may work a 48-hour week in smaller ones. As an officer you must be ready to work on weekends and nights. Officers are also considered to be on call at all times if needed. Overtime is usually paid in straight forward time and a half or it you may be give an equal amount of time off on another day.

To even think about getting a job with the police you must hold a high school diploma and more departments are requiring some college education. Before you get your first assignment you must go through a period of in-service training. Many Police Departments encourage college training and some even pay for all or half of tuitions.

There are many advantages of becoming a police officer. First of all the benefits departments usually provide, paid vacations, health insurance, paid holidays, sick leave, and pension plans, uniforms and weapons are usually provided. An officer also enjoys a proud standing in a community in which he\she is looked upon by kids and adults.

Some of the disadvantages of being a police officer are that you may have odd work hours, possibility of work on weekends or holidays, and you primarily have to work outdoors in all types of weather.

The future of the police is pretty stable and employment should increase as the ever growing crime rate increases. Competition will always be tough though for the open positions, candidates withe the best academic records and highest scores on physical and mental tests should continue to fill most employment opportunities.

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