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You might have to testify or present evidence in a court proceeding. The responsibilities of a po- lice officer are extremely broad and are not limited to the duties men- tioned above. Police must respond in some way to all situations that may occur while they are on duty. In fact, part of the appeal of a job as a police officer is the wide range of work experiences. However, in large police departments, officers may be assigned to a specific type of duty. Who’s Hiring? • Local governments (Cities employ about four out of every five police officers.) • State governments (Police officers known as state troopers arrest criminals and patrol highways.) Where Are the Jobs? Positions as a police officer can be found throughout the United States. In 2016, police offi- cers held more than 800,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the majority of positions are in large cities and suburbs, simply because most of the people live there. Police departments are usually organized into districts. Officers patrol a specific area in the district. As a police officer, you may work alone or with a partner, on foot, in a car, or even on a bicycle or on horseback. Police officers try to become familiar with their patrol area and remain alert for anything unusual. Police officers work in a variety of environments. They have to cope with many perils in their job. They face unpredictable situations, work in extreme weather conditions, and deal with hazardous substances. It is definitely not a job for everyone. TALKING trends The crime rate and the economy go up and down. These two fac- tors influence the hiring of police officers. There- fore, the number of law enforcement jobs varies fromyear to year and fromplace to place. In gen- eral, the number of police officers should growat an average rate through 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fear of terrorism and concern about crime help keep the demand for police services steady.

public safety & Law

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