Police Officer Job Description Template

Police Officer

[Intro Paragraph] Job listings that include a short paragraph introducing prospective officers to your department tend to garner the most responses. You can take two to three sentences to highlight your unique culture and policing environment. This is your opportunity to set your office or precinct apart from the competition and sell yourself to officers.

Police Officer Duties and Responsibilities:

• Protects citizens by preventing crime, enforcing laws, apprehending suspects, and monitoring traffic.
• Prevents crime by explaining and enforcing applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; teaching preventive, protective, and defensive tactics; mediating disputes; patrolling assigned area; responding to notices of disturbances; conducting searches; observing suspicious activities; and detaining suspects.
• Apprehends suspects by responding to complaints and calls for help, observing violations, and making arrests.
• Conducts criminal investigations by gathering evidence, interviewing victims and witnesses, and interrogating suspects.
• Documents observations and actions by radioing information and completing reports.
• Reports observations and actions by testifying in court.
• Fulfills court orders by serving warrants and commitments.
• Maintains safe traffic conditions by monitoring and directing traffic, enforcing laws and ordinances, investigating accidents, providing escort, and reporting unsafe streets and facilities.
• Minimizes personal injury by rescuing and reviving victims and radioing for medical assistance.
• Maintains operations by following department policies and procedures and recommending changes.
• Ensures operation of equipment by practicing responsible use, completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, notifying supervisor of needed repairs, and evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by studying applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; practicing skills; and participating in professional societies.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

[Work Hours & Benefits] This is an excellent opportunity to include work hours and benefits specific to your department. It’s another chance to sell potential applicants on things like overtime or special assignments. Benefits that can set you apart, like tuition or continuing education credits, childcare reimbursements, or paid leave, can go in this section of your police officer job description.

Police Officer Qualifications/Skills:

• Decision-making
• Legal compliance
• Handles pressure
• Deals with uncertainty
• Lifting
• Physical fitness
• Judgment
• Objectivity
• Dependability
• Emotional control
• Integrity

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in criminology or related field
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license
• Must have (or have the ability to attain) certification as a law enforcement officer
• Any other minimum standards set by state Department of Justice of Training and Standards as applicable.

[Call to Action] Now that job hunters are familiar with your office and specific job requirements, you need a compelling call to action so prospective officers know exactly how to apply. Let them know whether to click the apply button at the top of this listing or to submit an application, resume, and other supporting documents to your department.