Career Facts - Police Officer
View additional career facts for: Corrections Officer
What They Do
People depend on police officers and detectives to protect
their lives and property. Law enforcement officers perform these
duties in a variety of ways, depending on the size and type of
their organization. In most jurisdictions, they are expected to
exercise authority when necessary, whether on or off duty.
Uniformed police officers who work in municipal police
departments of various sizes, small communities, and rural
areas have general law enforcement duties including maintaining
regular patrols and responding for calls for service. They may
direct traffic at the scene of a fire, investigate a burglary,
or give first aid to an accident victim. In large police
departments, officers usually are assigned to a specific type of
duty. Many urban police agencies are becoming more involved
community policing - a practice in which an officer builds
relationships with the citizens of local neighborhoods and
mobilizes the public to help fight crime.
What They Earn
The average starting salary for law enforcement officers who work in Michigan, generally depends on the size of the department where the offices works. However, the average starting salary is $25,000 to $28,000 annually. Officers in supervisory positions earn an average of $41,000 annually, while Federal employees may earn a significant amount more, due to experience, overtime and availability pay.
How Many Jobs Available
The job outlook in this field is highly competitive, yet employment rates are still expected to increase about as fast as average throughout the year 2006. Early retirement and high crime rates will continue to insure that this field is in high demand.
How Much Schooling, Training, or Skill Development
A person desiring to become a corrections officer in Michigan must be 18 years of age, have no felony, drug or domestic abuse convictions of any kind. In Michigan, an officer can become employed if he/she has a 15-credit corrections vocational certificate or 15 semester credits in the fields of criminal justice, psychology, sociology or human services. Federal agencies are now requiring a college degree, and most Police Departments are now encouraging a Bachelor's or Associate's degree.
Related Occupations
Probation and Parole, Juvenile Caseworker, Law Enforcement and Security.
