In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


How to Know if You'll Make a Good Police Officer

Copyright (c) 2008-2023

Becoming a police officer means you’ll be taking on the most noble of jobs. Police officers are highly respected members of any community who risk their life daily in order to protect citizens. For this reason, becoming a police officer can be risky although very exciting. No two days are ever the same for a police officer out in the field.

In addition, there are many levels and departments that a police officer can work towards. The majority of police officers will progress through the ranks throughout their career, resulting in greater responsibility and a higher salary.

Becoming a police officer involves undergoing a series of tests, exams and study. Budding police officers can prepare by revising English lessons from school. It is advisable to have good writing skills as essays will need to be written. You should also build your physical fitness in order to be able to withstand the demands of police training. Some budding police officers even join the military for several years.

Police recruitment involves a thorough background check so you should have a clean history. You also will need to take the written civil service exam which you can get from your local police department.

A physical exam will need to be undertaken and passed. This test will generally involve aspects of agility, strength and endurance. A vision and hearing medical test will also be required. All of these tests ensure that you are fit and healthy enough to endure the rigors of being a police officer.

Many departments now also require a lie detector test to be taken. A drug test is also performed. Your drug test will need to be totally clear. Random drug tests are also performed throughout the career of a police officer.

The final step to becoming a police officer is an interview with a senior officer. Some offices require a personality test to be taken at this time too. During your interview, you should display a firm, confident personality as police generally do not hire timid, unsure people.

Some personal skills required of a police officer are:

  • Team player

  • Confident

  • Well spoken

  • Well educated

  • Good communication

  • Respect for all races and types of people

  • Sensitivity in difficult situations

  • Can emotionally detach from personal situations

  • These personal skills will ensure you have a long career; one that is filled with many achievements.

    Salary for Police Officers

    Police officers are not considered the highest paid workers in the country, yet they risk their lives everyday to serve people and protect their territory. However, police officers do have a decent average salary compared with many corporate jobs, with $43,000 being the average. A campus police officer can expect to receive $40,000 per year. Of course all police officers who are newly recruited will earn less in the initial stages but are assured of regular pay rises as their rank increases.

    The highest paid police officer is usually the Lateral Police Officer with an average salary of $63,000 per year. A new police cadet on average earns only $25,000. A police academy cadet can expect an average of $51,000 as can an Airport Police Officer.

    Other salaries for various jobs in the police force include:

    Police Recruit: $48,000 Police Officer: $46,000 Police Officer Lateral: $61,000 Police Officer And Dispatcher; $56,000 Supervisory Police Officer: $53,000 Lead Police Officer: $44,000 Supervisor Police Officer: $57,000 Police Cadet:$25,000

    Newly recruited police officers receive full pay and benefits from day one of their employment. This is at the police cadet average salary of $25,000. After 6 months of training in the Police Academy the salary jumps to around $32,000 and every year it increases.

    Once a police officer has been active in the force for 5.5 years their salary has usually increased to around $60,000. Other allowances are also added onto the base salary including holiday pay and uniform allowance.

    There are many options for career advancement when you are a police officer. The NYPD conducts promotional exams every two years for police officers. Once the exams are passed, officers can move on to the Lieutenant rank which pays as much as $100,000 per year. This can be a significantly fast advancement compared with other fields of work.

    After 20 years of police service an officer is entitled to retirement benefits of around $46,000 per year. An officer will also receive medical benefits, deferred compensation plans and an annuity fund. The retirement benefits will depend largely upon the rank of the police officer.

    Being a police officer is a highly rewarding career as you are not just serving yourself, but your entire community. As you can see, there is plenty of room for advancement within this field and it is considered a very secure line of work.


    About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
    Jennifer Charleston is a writer for CareerToolkits.com, a site created to help people unsure of their career path. Search a large collection of articles on popular careers including; nursing, paralegal, video game designers, law enforcement careers, and many others. Read free, online articles covering salary information, education requirements, and dozens of career profiles. Discover what career suits you best at http://www.CareerToolkits.com

    VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
    Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

    Tell our authors what you think about their article.



    Top-Level Category: Career Articles

    10 Most Recent Articles Written by Jennifer Charleston

    Why Taking the GED Test Seriously is Crucial
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-10-21 | Word Count: 796 | Page Views: 6047 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.81
    The GED test is run by the American Council of Education and is also known as the General Education Development test. The GED consists of five main sections which are science, social studies, language arts reading, language arts writing and mathematics. By practicing your skills in each of the following subjects you dramatically increase your chances of passing the GED test with flying colors.

    There's More to Culinary Arts Than Being a Chef
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-10-09 | Word Count: 797 | Page Views: 11293 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 2.50
    Culinary arts is simply the art of cooking. Working in the field of culinary arts usually involves preparing meals which not only taste good, but look great too.

    Why a Nursing Career is the Most Highly Rewarding Career You Can Choose
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-10-06 | Word Count: 766 | Page Views: 23219 | Votes: 40 | Rating: 2.60
    Nursing careers provide a richly rewarding career option. If you enjoy helping people and making a difference in their lives, then nursing is a wonderful career choice for you.

    How a Paralegal Career is a Shortcut for Many in the Legal Field
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-30 | Word Count: 825 | Page Views: 6183 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.41
    Paralegal careers provide a large scope for diversity and variety as well as career advancement. Although an entry-level paralegal salary is not considered to be high, as time goes on and you gain experience you can become a very well paid paralegal with considerable responsibility.

    Why Becoming a Pharmacist Means You Don't Have to Worry About Student Loans
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-26 | Word Count: 692 | Page Views: 37431 | Votes: 102 | Rating: 3.00
    So you want to become a pharmacist but are not sure where to start? Unlike other careers, there really is only one way to go about becoming a pharmacist. And that is to attend a university and gain a degree. For this reason all prospective pharmacists must have fantastic study abilities as well as the commitment to see out a long six year degree.

    Interior Designers: Dynamic Careers for Those with a Vision
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-18 | Word Count: 818 | Page Views: 5641 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.86
    Interior design careers are exciting, creative and dynamic. Interior design is becoming a popular field of work due to many people now wanting to renovate their homes. This could be due to the success of home improvement TV shows, magazines and websites.

    The 1, 2, 3's of Accountant Career Options
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-17 | Word Count: 803 | Page Views: 4996 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.14
    An accounting career is a highly popular choice for many people. Although accounting may not be considered one of the most exciting professions, there is certainly a high sum of money to be made as an accountant. There are also many career opportunities and accounting careers options for qualified accountants.

    Designing Video Games: Hot Career or Just a Fad?
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-15 | Word Count: 829 | Page Views: 4651 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 1.85
    Young technology enthusiasts often see a career as a video game designer their dream job, and it certainly can be! But is it right for you?

    Considering a Graphic Design Career? Here's What You Absolutely Must Know
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-11 | Word Count: 832 | Page Views: 6739 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 2.40
    Does a career as a graphic designer appeal to you? If so, you're not alone. This career path is becoming a popular one due to the fact that many students now have easy access to affordable graphic design programs at home. Many students are taking up graphic design as a hobby and then choose to later further their skill with a solid education in graphic design.

    All of Author's Articles on this site:

    Most Recent "Career" Articles

    The Keys to Writing a Killer Resume Cover Letter
    Written by: Gerald Penniston | Distributed: 2013-07-24 | Word Count: 904 | Page Views: 5547 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 1.60
    As a job seeker, you must understand the importance and value of a professional resume... Do you, however, also take stock of the importance of a well-written cover letter? Many job seekers fail to realize that a cover letter completes a resume, and both should go hand-in-hand.

    How to Write a Resume - Simple and Complex at the Same Time
    Written by: Rebecca Hawkes | Distributed: 2010-12-09 | Word Count: 438 | Page Views: 6881 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 1.89
    Writing an effective resume is as much a creative art as it is a logical puzzle. How do you take 500-600 words and make them jump out and scream "hire me" to an employer? It's a skill that needs constant refining.

    3 Cutting Edge Steps Show You The Real Way To Make Money Online
    Written by: Ryan Parenti | Distributed: 2010-11-16 | Word Count: 742 | Page Views: 6108 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.40
    Tens of thousands of people all over the globe are quietly cashing in on what may be the only recession proof industry -- at the very least it's one of few industries maintaining consistent and enormous growth! These people... well, these are just regular folks who have decided they want some extra income and have turned to information publishing for profit (staggering profit). Here is how they do it.

    The Perspective of Dawn
    Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2010-03-15 | Word Count: 560 | Page Views: 5282 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.80
    For years, I have been a night owl as opposed to an early bird. I embrace beautiful sunsets, bur rarely, on purpose, strive to witness a glorious sunrise. Recently while on a Caribbean cruise, with Diane Ackerman's book in hand, I challenged myself to be an early riser to discover the beauty of sunrise rather than my standard, sunset. It was a chance to try a different perspective. And, it was rather enjoyable.

    The Top Ten Mistakes Made in Job Interviews and How to Avoid Them
    Written by: Cecile Peterkin | Distributed: 2010-03-11 | Word Count: 650 | Page Views: 5681 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 0.83
    A job interview is your chance to shine. Now that you've been given this opportunity, it's critical that you don't waste it. Here are the top ten mistakes made in job interviews and how to avoid them.

    The Decline and Fall of the Retirement Empire
    Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-03-10 | Word Count: 1317 | Page Views: 4836 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
    "I have a pension and it'll have to be enough!" As a financial Advisor over the past 10 years I have often heard this statement. It was difficult 10 years ago to explain to future retirees why this was an impossible belief to hold. 10 years ago no one would believe the changes that would occur in our world view.

    Plan Ahead: Your Personal Body Art May Carry An Unforeseen Cost
    Written by: Eileen Howerton | Distributed: 2010-02-25 | Word Count: 532 | Page Views: 4923 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
    Over half of all tattoos that are given each year are spontaneous, and given without plan or thought. While these tattoos seemed like a great idea at the time, many young people are finding out that these tattoos are costing them more than the charge to have them put on.

    New Year Still Is A Time Of Uncertainty For Economy
    Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2010-02-02 | Word Count: 509 | Page Views: 5877 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
    As we look back on the first decade of the new millennium, we realize in many ways it was a dud and disappointment. We witnessed the World Trade Towers being toppled with senseless terrorism. We closed the decade with the toppling of the global economy that resulted in high unemployment and massive job loss for young and old, skilled and unskilled.

    She's After Your Money
    Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2009-12-14 | Word Count: 460 | Page Views: 4909 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
    Who would you rather be? The guy who had just managed to inherit a tidy sum from a bank before he left and had $700,000 in the bank... but had no money and limited skill? Or the guy who had invested the last five years of his life to gain the knowledge to practice as a specialist in this country with highly sought after skills. Many people would probably say the first guy.

    Job Searching and Staying Marketable in a Recession
    Written by: Cecile Peterkin | Distributed: 2009-08-11 | Word Count: 507 | Page Views: 4867 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 1.36
    Job searching is never fun, nor is it something that is particularly comfortable for the majority of people out there. It can be frustrating, but ultimately, it can prove to be an extremely rewarding experience. There are additional challenges that exist, however, when it comes to job searching in a recession. Here are some helpful tips to ensure you'll be successful.

    Most Viewed "Career" Articles

    Why Becoming a Pharmacist Means You Don't Have to Worry About Student Loans
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-26 | Word Count: 692 | Page Views: 37431 | Votes: 102 | Rating: 3.00
    So you want to become a pharmacist but are not sure where to start? Unlike other careers, there really is only one way to go about becoming a pharmacist. And that is to attend a university and gain a degree. For this reason all prospective pharmacists must have fantastic study abilities as well as the commitment to see out a long six year degree.

    10 Killer Job Interview Questions and Answers
    Written by: Carole Martin | Distributed: 2006-10-04 | Word Count: 1094 | Page Views: 23388 | Votes: 83 | Rating: 2.42
    Behind every interview question there is a concern or another question. Your job is to process the question thinking about what the interviewer's concern might be. In other words, why is the interviewer asking you this question?

    Why a Nursing Career is the Most Highly Rewarding Career You Can Choose
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-10-06 | Word Count: 766 | Page Views: 23219 | Votes: 40 | Rating: 2.60
    Nursing careers provide a richly rewarding career option. If you enjoy helping people and making a difference in their lives, then nursing is a wonderful career choice for you.

    Questions You Should Ask During The Job Interview
    Written by: Carole Martin | Distributed: 2006-09-14 | Word Count: 680 | Page Views: 17496 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.50
    At some point, usually at the conclusion of the interview, you may be asked, "Do you have any questions?" A common answer to this question is, "No, I think you've covered everything very well." This is the wrong answer!

    One Star that Doesn't Need to Shine: The truth behind the Order of the Eastern Star
    Written by: Siobhan Gamble | Distributed: 2007-07-09 | Word Count: 831 | Page Views: 14434 | Votes: 41 | Rating: 1.54
    Standing firm by the side of the organization that many of us know as Freemasonry, is a woman's auxiliary which was founded in 1868 known as the Order of the Eastern Star. It is the largest Fraternal Organization in the world. Also known as the "Star", OES is only open to women with specific Masonic affiliation and men who are Master Masons.

    Job Interview Answers - What To Say If You Got Fired
    Written by: Bob Firestone | Distributed: 2007-03-12 | Word Count: 747 | Page Views: 12854 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.67
    Have you ever been fired from a job? Use these winning job interview answers to beat this tough question and get hired into the job you want.

    Building and Sustaining Positive Relationships in the Workplace
    Written by: Gail Solish | Distributed: 2006-10-04 | Word Count: 539 | Page Views: 11464 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.60
    It's Monday morning and you've only been at the office for a couple of hours. The phone has not stopped ringing, you've barely made a dent in your emails, there is a project deadline looming, a team meeting to lead and your boss is concerned and hassling you about the project outcome. Does any of this sound familiar to you? Does it feel overwhelming? The truth is that order to be successful, productive and less stressed, you need positive, supportive relationships at work.

    There's More to Culinary Arts Than Being a Chef
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-10-09 | Word Count: 797 | Page Views: 11293 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 2.50
    Culinary arts is simply the art of cooking. Working in the field of culinary arts usually involves preparing meals which not only taste good, but look great too.

    The Pros and Cons of Teaching Abroad
    Written by: Justin Burch | Distributed: 2006-10-31 | Word Count: 720 | Page Views: 9332 | Votes: 28 | Rating: 2.82
    As it has been said, teaching abroad isn't for everybody. Each program you will encounter will require some prerequisites and the proper attitude, but will offer unique challenges and personal incentives to the right individual. Here is an impartial analysis of opportunities confronting both sides of the arguments you need to consider before deciding to teach abroad

    Why Technology Is Ruining Your Life!
    Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success | Distributed: 2006-11-09 | Word Count: 630 | Page Views: 8825 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 1.56
    What am I thinking or talking about? Technology has provided our society global connectivity as well as access to a multitude of higher education and unlimited resources never dreamed of ...

    Highest Ranked "Career" Articles

    Create Success-With Whatever You Have! 7 Practices for Creating What Matters Most In Life And Work
    Written by: Bruce Elkin | Distributed: 2007-12-25 | Word Count: 1103 | Page Views: 5606 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 3.00
    Seven Practices For Creating Almost Anything -- These 7 practices are no magic formula. But they will help you create outstanding results-with whatever you start with.

    Interviewing And The Electric Toothbrush
    Written by: Carole Martin | Distributed: 2007-01-18 | Word Count: 697 | Page Views: 4608 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 3.00
    Many electric toothbrushes have a shut off mechanism that turns off the toothbrush after two minutes of brushing – which is the time that someone decided was enough teeth-brushing for any one period.

    You Give What You Get In Your Career
    Written by: Deborah Brown-Volkman | Distributed: 2007-01-23 | Word Count: 653 | Page Views: 4720 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 3.00
    How do you treat the people you work with? Do you say hello in the morning or stare at something else as you walk by? Are you friendly or aloof? Are you only nice to those that you deem as necessary or can further your career?

    Why Becoming a Pharmacist Means You Don't Have to Worry About Student Loans
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-26 | Word Count: 692 | Page Views: 37431 | Votes: 102 | Rating: 3.00
    So you want to become a pharmacist but are not sure where to start? Unlike other careers, there really is only one way to go about becoming a pharmacist. And that is to attend a university and gain a degree. For this reason all prospective pharmacists must have fantastic study abilities as well as the commitment to see out a long six year degree.

    How Generation *R* Got It Right!
    Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success | Distributed: 2007-06-14 | Word Count: 472 | Page Views: 4634 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 2.92
    Who is generation R? I'll tell you, they are our retired mothers and fathers, and even our grandparents who were born in the 20's and 30's. Why am I writing about this generation of people?

    Federal Jobs Are Plentiful
    Written by: Benji O. Anosike | Distributed: 2009-02-26 | Word Count: 1351 | Page Views: 6254 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.90
    Think there are no job hiring anywhere in america today? Have you tried to job search in one place? Truth is, there are plenty of federal jobs with the federal government right now, with even increased worker hiring scheduled. And here's how and where!

    You Gotta Go Through
    Written by: Deborah Brown-Volkman | Distributed: 2007-04-25 | Word Count: 676 | Page Views: 5046 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.89
    Are you facing a situation in your career that you thought you'd never face? Working in a job that you are overqualified for? Reporting to a boss that doesn't get or like you? Unemployed after years of hard work? Interviewing endlessly when in the past jobs came to you?

    Online Medical Assistant Schools
    Written by: Mark Stout, BSc, MD | Distributed: 2008-06-05 | Word Count: 399 | Page Views: 5325 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.88
    Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty.

    Key to Success: 10 Success Tips for Maximum Achievement
    Written by: Sharif Khan | Distributed: 2006-05-23 | Word Count: 1787 | Page Views: 5439 | Votes: 35 | Rating: 2.86
    First off, I would echo the voice of 18th century French philosopher Voltaire, made popular and relevant in today's leadership lexicon by "Good to Great" author Jim Collins, who said, "Good is the Enemy of Great."

    Interior Designers: Dynamic Careers for Those with a Vision
    Written by: Jennifer Charleston | Distributed: 2008-09-18 | Word Count: 818 | Page Views: 5641 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.86
    Interior design careers are exciting, creative and dynamic. Interior design is becoming a popular field of work due to many people now wanting to renovate their homes. This could be due to the success of home improvement TV shows, magazines and websites.











    Download an eBook today
     
    Directory Navigation
    Locate By Category:

    ALL Categories
    Arts & Crafts
    Arts & Entertainment
    Automotive
    Business - Offline
    Business - Online
    Career
    Computers
    Education
    Family
    Finance
    Food & Drink
    Health & Wellness
    Home & Garden
    Humor
    Internet
    Nature & Pets
    Real Estate
    Religion
    Self Improvement
    Shopping
    Society
    Sports & Recreation
    Technology
    Travel & Leisure
    Uncategorized
    World Events
    Writing & Speaking

    Change Number of Results:
    50 - 100 - 200 - 500
    Article Reprint Rights
    Creative Commons License

    This work is
    licensed under a
    Creative Commons
    License


    You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
    Article Statistics
    Word Count: 789

    Total Views: 19751

    Article Rating: 3.16 of 5
    Votes Cast: 37

    More Articles By Author:



    Last Distribution Date:
    2008-09-24 11:12:00

    Internal ID: #6306





    All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

    All other material and images on this site are:
    Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com