Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

$77,270
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+3% projected 2024โ€“2034

What They Do

Police and sheriff's patrol officers spend their days maintaining public safety and enforcing laws within their assigned communities. They patrol designated areas in vehicles or on foot, responding to emergency calls and investigating suspicious activities. Officers conduct traffic stops, issue citations for violations, and direct traffic at accident scenes or special events. When crimes occur, they secure scenes, interview witnesses, and gather evidence. They apprehend suspects, make arrests when necessary, and transport individuals to detention facilities. Officers also complete detailed reports documenting incidents, arrests, and their daily activities.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)University of San Diego, CA
$143,943
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Curry College, MA
$121,483
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)Santa Rosa Junior College, CA
$111,649
Criminal Justice and Corrections(postbacc-cert)University of Louisville, KY
$102,190
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)University of Chicago, IL
$100,258
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Lewis University, IL
$96,146
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)San Bernardino Valley College, CA
$94,285
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)University of Massachusetts-Lowell, MA
$93,930
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)San Diego Miramar College, CA
$91,647
Criminal Justice and Corrections(doctoral)Nova Southeastern University, FL
$90,969
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Concordia University-Saint Paul, MN
$89,127
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)Monroe Community College, NY
$85,061
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Columbus State University, GA
$82,799
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)University of Louisville, KY
$81,602
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)Moreno Valley College, CA
$81,339
Criminal Justice and Corrections(doctoral)Walden University, MN
$79,647
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Salve Regina University, RI
$78,042
Criminal Justice and Corrections(doctoral)Capella University, MN
$76,899
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Saint Elizabeth University, NJ
$76,861
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Excelsior University, NY
$76,747
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Michigan State University, MI
$75,435
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Anderson University, SC
$75,008
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)American Public University System, WV
$74,466
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)Gateway Technical College, WI
$73,818
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)Butte College, CA
$73,170

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