Introduction

Police officers maintain law and order. They protect people and property. Officers investigate and try to prevent crime. They are also called to accidents and emergencies.

Work Activities

Police officers:

• maintain law and order
• protect people and property from harm
• investigate and prevent crime, and detect offenders
• deal with emergency situations.

All new recruits spend at least two years as a constable on probation. This includes working on the beat with an experienced officer, getting to know a particular area and the people who live there. During this time the probationer learns to judge situations and gains experience in activities like:

• interviewing suspects
• investigating suspicious incidents
• taking statements from witnesses
• informing next of kin of injuries or death.

Police officers might work on the beat, on foot, cycle or in a patrol car. They take control of situations such as traffic accidents, break-ins, street fights and domestic incidents.

They must be able to communicate well with other officers, staff of other services and members of the public. They must provide the action, advice and sympathetic leadership that the public expects. They also complete accurate reports and other documents.

After the period on probation they might apply to join a specialist unit, such as dog handling, the traffic/motorway section, underwater search units, the mounted police or the river police. Not all forces have an underwater or a mounted unit. Entry to some specialities is very competitive.

A local police unit or station is usually managed by an inspector and a team of sergeants. Some incidents are reported directly to the station, others are diverted from 999 calls. Most police stations have a control room, with police officers in radio contact with officers on the beat.

In the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) you can work as a detective. Officers usually specialise in one area, such as:

• fraud
• drugs
• nationality (immigration)
• special operations (surveillance)
• intelligence and information gathering
• child protection.

Competition for some CID specialities can be severe.

You should enjoy working with people. You need to be able to deal with people of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds.

It is important that you can handle difficult situations with sensitivity. Good judgement is essential. Decision making skills and initiative are also important. You must pay close attention to detail - to help solve crimes and spot suspicious events or circumstances.

As a police officer you must think and act quickly, and keep calm in emergencies. You will need to concentrate for long periods of time. You must be fit and active.

All entrants to the police must pass medical and eyesight tests. Most forces accept people who wear contact lenses or glasses. Your colour vision may be tested. There is no longer a height requirement.

For most police forces you need a driving licence.

Pay and Opportunities

Police officers are paid on a rising scale. The pay rates given below are approximate. Police constables on appointment earn £20,397 a year. After two years, or on joining at the age of 22 or above, they earn £24,090 a year. Sergeants earn £32,025 rising to £35,991 after five years. Inspectors earn £41,034 - £46,320 a year.

Police officers work 40 hours a week, which might include shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays. They might need to work paid overtime to cover special events or emergencies.

About 140,000 police officers are employed throughout the UK. In 2006 there were about 16,000 in Scotland (900 more than in 2003). Half of Scottish officers are in the Strathclyde Police Force.