Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Career Description: Maintain order, enforce laws and ordinances, and protect life and property in an assigned patrol district. Perform combination of following duties: patrol a specific area on foot or in a vehicle; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts.

Industry: Protective Service

Other Job Titles for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Patrol an assigned area by vehicle or on foot to ensure public compliance with existing parking ordinance.
• Maintain close communications with dispatching personnel, using two-way radios or cell phones.
• Write warnings and citations for illegally parked vehicles.
• Mark tires of parked vehicles with chalk and record time of marking, and return at regular intervals to ensure that parking time limits are not exceeded.
• Respond to and make radio dispatch calls regarding parking violations and complaints.
• Train new or temporary staff.
• Identify vehicles in violation of parking codes, checking with dispatchers when necessary to confirm identities or to determine whether vehicles need to be booted or towed.
• Perform simple vehicle maintenance procedures such as checking oil and gas, and report mechanical problems to supervisors.
• Observe and report hazardous conditions such as missing traffic signals or signs, and street markings that need to be repainted.
• Investigate and answer complaints regarding contested parking citations, determining their validity and routing them appropriately.
• Maintain assigned equipment and supplies such as handheld citation computers, citation books, rain gear, tire-marking chalk, and street cones.
• Provide information to the public regarding parking regulations and facilities, and the location of streets, buildings and points of interest.
• Appear in court at hearings regarding contested traffic citations.
• Make arrangements for illegally parked or abandoned vehicles to be towed, and direct tow-truck drivers to the correct vehicles.
• Perform traffic control duties such as setting up barricades and temporary signs, placing bags on parking meters to limit their use, or directing traffic.
• Provide assistance to motorists needing help with problems, such as flat tires, keys locked in cars, or dead batteries.
• Enter and retrieve information pertaining to vehicle registration, identification, and status, using handheld computers.
• Collect coins deposited in meters.
• Prepare and maintain required records, including logs of parking enforcement activities, and records of contested citations.
• Locate lost, stolen, and counterfeit parking permits, and take necessary enforcement action.
• Wind parking meter clocks.
• Assign and review the work of subordinates.
• Remove handbills within patrol areas.
• Present and interpret fire prevention and fire code information to citizens' groups, organizations, contractors, engineers, and developers.
• Conduct fire drills for building occupants and report on the outcomes of such drills.
• Document efforts taken to bring property owners into compliance with laws, codes, regulations, ordinances, and standards.
• Oversee review of new building plans to ensure compliance with laws, ordinances, and administrative rules for public fire safety.
• Study and interpret fire safety codes to establish procedures for issuing permits regulating storage or use of hazardous or flammable substances.

Emerging Tasks

• Compile and maintain records on personnel, accidents, equipment, and supplies.
• Perform maintenance and minor repairs on firefighting equipment, including vehicles, and write and submit proposals to modify, replace, and repair equipment.
• Maintain court docket.
• Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
• Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
• Screen, control, and handle evidence and exhibits during court proceedings.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• collect money from machines
• communicate details in protective services settings
• enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
• follow law enforcement methods or procedures
• patrol or guard area or premises
• prepare reports
• recognize public safety hazards
• use oral or written communication techniques
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct and coordinate fire prevention and suppression activities
• direct collection, preparation, or handling of evidence
• estimate materials or labor requirements
• evaluate performance of employees or contract personnel
• gather physical evidence
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• interpret employee's medical evaluations
• maintain production or work records
• maintain records, reports, or files
• make decisions
• make presentations
• monitor worker performance
• observe fire to note changing conditions
• oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
• prepare reports
• read maps
• recognize public safety hazards
• recommend personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, and dismissals
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• write business project or bid proposals
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• verify investigative information
• search for overdue aircraft
• serve arrest, search or seizure warrants
• testify in court for accident and criminal cases
• use arrest, search, or seizure legal statutes
• use firearms
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of geographic coordinates
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques

• n/a

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$23.86
• Average annual wage (2007) - $49,630.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 10.81%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 70,098
• Employment (2006): 648,418

• Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers
• Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
• Log Graders and Scalers
• Meter Readers, Utilities
• Packers and Packagers, Hand
• Wellhead Pumpers
• Private Detectives and Investigators
• Transit and Railroad Police
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
• Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer