Officers in larger agencies tend to have a partner ride along with them. While on patrol, officers may respond to both emergency and non-emergency calls. They are also always on the lookout for any suspicious behavior that may indicate a crime is underway. If not out on the streets, an officer may be stationed at headquarters writing detailed reports and filling forms. The yearly salary for police officers has increased substantially over the years. As of 2014, “the average annual wage in California was $87,520 with most people making between $58,100 and $116,100” (Source 2). The growth of annual wage has also been accompanied by the expansion of the occupation itself. According to a reliable source, “this occupation will have about 460 openings due to growth and about 2,110 replacement openings for approximately 2,570 total annual openings” (Source 2). There is also plenty of room to increase one’s ranking within this profession. Police officers usually become eligible for promotion after a one-year probationary period. Once this period is over, officers can apply to become a sergeant, lieutenant, or even captain. Promotions are determined by both scores on a written examination and on-the-job …show more content…
To be eligible for the POST training program you must be at least 18 years old. However, some departments require 21 years of age. Other requirements include passing the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Written Test, a physical agility test, an oral interview, a background check, and having obtained either a high school diploma or a GED. And even with the proper education and training, there are several qualities a police officer must exhibit. Verbal communication is probably the number one asset of any law enforcement professional. Why? Because effective communication skills can allow an officer to interact successfully in both work and community environments, which may include diverse cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Police officers should also be mentally and physically prepared for whatever circumstance they may stumble upon. Law enforcement officers tend to find themselves around morbid scenes more than they would like to. However, officers must be mentally strong enough to set aside any emotions and focus on the task at hand, such as finding the perpetrator of a grisly murder. As for physical strength, officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend offenders. Last but not least, law enforcement professionals should also be able to work efficiently while under high levels of stress. A police officer’s work is very demanding and there is never an instance