How To Become A Police Patrol Officer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a police patrol officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a police patrol officer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.02 an hour? That's $43,720 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 20,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a police patrol officer?

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

They need to avoid being overzealous officers. They should not put their career at the center of their life. They need to spend quality time with their family. In law enforcement, good relations with the public and colleagues are essential. They need to develop good relationships with the people and their colleagues and expand their professional network. They always try to be a "problem solver officer" rather than a "problem creator officer." If someone asks for help from them, they should treat this person with dignity and respect. They should avoid being arrogant in their interaction with the public. Because arrogance is the worst plague, and Humility is the greatest virtue.

ScorePolice Patrol OfficerUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $43,720

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.89%

Asian 3.41%

Black or African American 12.52%

Hispanic or Latino 19.02%

Unknown 4.31%

White 59.85%

Gender

female 14.03%

male 85.97%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a police patrol officer

Explore police patrol officer education requirements

Most common police patrol officer degrees

Bachelor's

49.8 %

Associate

26.4 %

High School Diploma

9.2 %

Start to develop specific police patrol officer skills

Skills	Percentages
Patrol	39.21%
Public Safety	7.42%
Law Enforcement Agencies	7.11%
Traffic Control	3.11%
Police Academy	2.91%

Complete relevant police patrol officer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New police patrol officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a police patrol officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real police patrol officer resumes.

Research police patrol officer duties and responsibilities

Manage surveillance of DUI traffic offenders in Jacksonville
Execute law enforcement responsibilities through preventive patrol and active enforcement of criminal and traffic laws.
Serve warrants, subpoenas, and other court order material.
Provide training and guidance to rookie detectives and patrol officers on investigatory techniques for a variety of criminal activity.

Prepare your police patrol officer resume

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