Learn more about the process in our article, "How to Become a Police Officer: Your Step-by-Step Guide.". I'd rather my skills not be needed but when they are I will pounce. Most law enforcement programs and police academies will offer courses and training in line with state and federal requirements for officers. If you do that, the rank will come, and others will want to follow you. While such qualities are definitely in the job description, there are several less-prominent traits that the best police officers share. The info below will give you a better idea of the path ahead. There are two sides to every story, and every police officer needs to decide what the truth is. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4306748, 'fea458f5-777d-408e-9ef1-3516510a9af7', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Certain characteristics are desirable in law enforcement professionals. You must be willing to put your own life on the line for the sake of the safety and survival of your community. The program you have selected is not available in your ZIP code. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Integrity is being the person in private that your pastor thinks you are on Sunday morning, Calhoun said. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, Texas removes age limit for law enforcement candidates, Mich. bill could help retain Detroit officers by charging them to leave, Ga. police department apologizes after target practice photos cause uproar, Pa. State Police: Barracks attack that killed 1 trooper, wounded another eerily similar to 2014 ambush, Watch: Fla. deputy and driver get swept into pipe, travel 100 ft. under road, BWC video shows, What cops would tell a rookie version of themselves, Open the tools menu in your browser. Another important aspect of effective communication is the ability to patiently listen. Of course, not every career brings the kind of pressure that police officers experience. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. 04.27.2020, Brianna Flavin | As you prepare for a meaningful career protecting the safety of others, consider how you can improve your skills and provide the best service possible. Police officers have an important role in the communityto keep the community safe, says criminal defense lawyer, Tony Sun. What makes a good police officer? When youre young and working a high intensity job, retirement planning may not be the first thing on your mind. I want to carry the ball over the line every day I'm at work. Interpersonal communication skills are important because they allow officers to develop a good rapport with the community, with fellow officers and with those from diverse cultures, offers Eileen Carlin, state program director for the Rasmussen University School of Justice Studies. Your future self will thank you. If you put serving your community first, you'll be off to a good start. Police officers play a crucial role in preventing and responding Read about What does a police officer do? Do you have what it takes? Wants to grow and improve themselves. For additional information about Licensing and State Authorization, and State Contact Information for Student Complaints, please see those sections of our catalog. You never know who will give you an important piece of information." Here is an often overlooked, but highly important, quality for a good police officer. If you could see yourself serving and protecting your community, this career choice might be right for you. If you find youre asking yourself: Would I make a good police officer?, read on. Are you willing to leave some things behind to gain others? 15 Qualities and Skills to Achieve Success as a Police Office. You may not get a paycheck for a long time because you are on unpaid leave or suspension, you may have to go through a rough patch in life, you may even get scrutinized over and overbut you will still have a job and a chance to make that up and redeem yourself. Oregon. Much of an officers work requires the ability to relate to those going through incredible hardships, showing compassion while still remaining professional. Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Do you feel comfortable slapping cuffs on someone? Police officers play a crucial role in preventing and responding to criminal activities, ensuring the well-being of individuals and property within their jurisdiction. While en route, officers were informed that a witness could see someone trying to steal a catalytic converter from a parked vehicle. Last Updated: March 25, 2023 (Getty Images/kali9) Related feature Five strategies for aspiring police chiefs Four police chiefs shared best practices to help young new chiefs of police succeed in the precarious first few years on the job. Copyright 2023 There are those calling for police reform and a reallocation of funds within police departments. Good Communication . They work diligently to uphold the law, maintain order, and provide a sense of security to the community they serve. I just want some decent pay with benefits. The best police officers excel at keeping calm, Sun explains. It's no secret that it's a tough job! I'll do it if required, but I'd rather not risk it. What Does It Take? Ask your superiors to host a workshop on diversity to help officers. Dwyer detailed a timeline that indicated the man who was assaulted was arrested at 4:53 a.m., booked at the Warren police jail at 6:03 a.m., and a jail officer took custody of the man at 6:06 a.m. Please select another program or contact an Admissions Advisor (877.530.9600) for help. You might only have seconds to react, he explains. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Rasmussen University has been approved by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), through which it offers online programs in Texas. Today, many people have varying perceptions of law enforcement, particularly in the wake of the social justice rallies of 2020. An officer will follow up with families and continue to monitor the community with a close eye. Additionally, there are more drugs on the market than ever, and laws change and update, McKenna says, adding that departments dont always have the funding to ensure everyone receives the training they need in these areas. Volunteering to visit schools, community organizations, religious centers, and other locations to meet people and talk about the work that police officers do. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Fill out the form and one of our enrollment counselors will follow-up via text shortly! There is an error in email. Expert Interview. As a result, it's a profession that's not for everybody. Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Once you have satisfied your basic needs as a police officer you can set your site on promotion. Joe Solomon, Chief of Police at City of Methuen. Police Officer Jobs in Washington. A police officer is a government employee who works to ensure citizens abide by the law. This includes writing thorough reports that are easy to read, communicating clearly with teammates, and even speaking with potential suspects. Talk with an admissions advisor today. It can be a highly stressful and dangerous job, and it takes a certain set of unique skills and characteristics to be successful in the role. Effective negotiation skills often include practices like active listening, remaining calm, expressing empathy, treating a subject with respect, remaining non-judgmental and referring to a subject by name when possible. % of people told us that this article helped them. Not only will a steady source of empathy help you be an effective police officer, but it can also become the driving force behind your work. Thats why good police officers need to have a strong desire to seek the truth. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. What skills do police officers need? Perhaps you have an ability to talk your way through a problem while convincing others to act appropriately. They care so much that their work often comes home with them and causes emotional distress. Stay out of trouble! Civilians need to know that they can trust you and that they are safe. We spoke with seasoned law enforcement professionals to learn more about the overlooked abilities that distinguish an average officer from a great one. It's the ability to determine truth even though your emotions or presuppositions conflict with the evidence. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. For instance, if you find yourself in the midst of a domestic dispute where one party is agitated, compassion will help you realize that they are not necessarily directing anger at you to be threatening, but simply expressing how upset they are. Be willing to find someone at your agency that can provide you with guidance. Here, we will break down some of the key qualities and skills needed in policing, so that you can decide whether this career path is right for you. But technical skills are only part of the mix in making a good police officer. Kristen Heinonen at the Community College of Aurora's Police Training Academy on Monday, October 11, 2021. Officers who have strong mental agility are able to switch their mindset instantly without losing composure. Police officers are first responders. In fact, proficient communication skills can be more than just helpful as a police officerthey can be vital. In Seattle, police leaders are warning of a staffing crisis after more than 180 officers quit last year and almost 70 others have left so far this year, the AP reports. Police officers often speak about the expectations placed upon them. So, when you enter a restaurant, market, post office, or whathaveyou, take your sunglasses off, make eye contact with someone, smile, and say, Hey, hows it going? Begin early letting people look into your eyeballs! Michael Fann, Instructor at Public Risk Management Association, "You must be willing to talk to anybody. Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. By preparing for your interview and thinking of answers to common interview questions, you can prove you are a qualified candidate. written and verbal communication. A police officer is responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing laws, and protecting the community. on Please select another program or contact an Admissions Advisor (877.530.9600) for help. I'd rather talk them out of acting in such a way as to need cuffing. Like any career, there will always be some professionals who are much better at their jobs. Officers working patrol duties are constantly responding to 911 calls for service. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Be-a-Good-Police-Officer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Good-Police-Officer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Be-a-Good-Police-Officer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid596492-v4-728px-Be-a-Good-Police-Officer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"