Public Safety & Security career

Police Officer

Also called: Patrol Officer · Sheriff’s Deputy · Law Enforcement Officer · State Trooper

What police officers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a police officer do?

Police officers protect lives and property by patrolling communities, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, investigating crimes, enforcing laws, writing reports and testifying in court. The median pay is $76,210 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–12 months (academy + field training), and employment is projected to grow +3.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $76,210
    $36.64/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.5%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    51,500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6–12 months (academy + field training)
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    693,200
    Employment, 2025

What police officers do

Patrol officers are the most visible part of public safety. They respond to 911 calls, traffic crashes, disturbances and crimes in progress; conduct investigations and interviews; make arrests when necessary; help people in crisis; and document everything in detailed reports that may be used in court.

Becoming an officer requires meeting agency standards, typically including age, citizenship, a high school diploma (some agencies require college credit), a background investigation, physical fitness testing and psychological screening, then completing a state-certified police academy and field training.

Typical duties

  • Patrol assigned areas and respond to calls for service
  • Enforce traffic and criminal laws
  • Investigate crimes, interview witnesses and collect evidence
  • Make arrests and transport people in custody according to law and policy
  • De-escalate conflicts and help people in crisis
  • Write detailed incident and arrest reports
  • Testify in court and build community relationships

Work environment and schedule

Officers work in patrol cars, on foot and at stations, in all weather and at all hours. The job can be physically demanding, stressful and dangerous, with exposure to traumatic events.

Schedule: Police work happens 24/7, so officers rotate through shifts that include nights, weekends and holidays. Overtime and court appearances are common.

A day in the life

  1. Roll call: review overnight incidents, wanted persons and the patrol plan.
  2. Inspect the patrol car, equipment and body-worn camera.
  3. Respond to a traffic crash: secure the scene, check injuries and document the collision.
  4. Take a burglary report, photograph evidence and canvass neighbors.

See a full day in the life of a police officer →

Police Officer salary

Half of police officers earned more than $76,210 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,510 for the lowest 10% to $115,120 for the top 10%.

Full police officer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a police officer

  1. Meet basic qualifications
  2. Prepare physically and academically
  3. Apply and pass screening
  4. Complete the academy
  5. Complete field training

Requirements vary by agency: typically a high school diploma or GED (some agencies require college credit or a degree), U.S. citizenship, minimum age (often 21), a valid driver’s license, background investigation, fitness test and psychological exam, followed by a state-certified academy and field training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a police officer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Criminal law and procedure
  • Report writing
  • Defensive tactics and use-of-force policy
  • Emergency vehicle operation
  • Evidence collection

People skills

  • Communication and de-escalation
  • Judgment under pressure
  • Integrity
  • Empathy

All police officer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Meaningful public service
  • Strong pay and benefits, often including pensions
  • Variety: no two shifts are the same
  • Many specialties: detective, K-9, traffic, training

Cons

  • Danger and exposure to trauma
  • Shift work, nights and holidays
  • High public scrutiny
  • Rigorous hiring process and academy

Certifications and licenses

  • State POST certification: Peace officer certification issued by your state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training agency after academy.
  • Field training program: Supervised on-the-job training with a field training officer after the academy.
  • Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training: Specialized training for responding to mental health crises.
  • First aid/CPR: Commonly required.

Career path

  1. Police Recruit: Complete academy and field training.
  2. Patrol Officer: Respond to calls and patrol.
  3. Detective, Specialist or Sergeant: Investigate cases, join specialty units or supervise.
  4. Lieutenant, Captain or Chief: Lead units and departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Police Officer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a clear incident report and use de-escalation techniques, safety and how to land your first job.

View Police Officer trainingIs this career right for me?

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Compare: Police Officer vs. Security Guard · Police Officer vs. Firefighter · Police Officer vs. EMT · Police Officer vs. Paralegal

Police Officer FAQ

How long is the police academy?

Academy length varies by state and agency, often several months, followed by several months of field training.

Do police officers need a college degree?

Many agencies require only a high school diploma, but some require college credits or a degree, and education can help with promotion.

What disqualifies someone from becoming a police officer?

Common disqualifiers include felony convictions, certain misdemeanors, recent drug use, dishonesty during the hiring process and poor driving records. Standards vary by agency.

How much does a police officer make?

The median annual wage for police officers was $76,210 ($36.64 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,510 and the highest 10% earned more than $115,120.

How long does it take to become a police officer?

Most people need about 6–12 months (academy + field training) of training. Requirements vary by agency: typically a high school diploma or GED (some agencies require college credit or a degree), U.S. citizenship, minimum age (often 21), a valid driver’s license, background investigation, fitness test and psychological exam, followed by a state-certified academy and field training.

Do you need a degree to be a police officer?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More police officer questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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