These areas of skill do not represent everything police officers need to know. Most law enforcement programs and police academies will offer courses and training in line with state and federal requirements for officers. But technical skills are only part of the mix in making a good police officer. The best police officers also bring an array of traits and soft skills to the table.
And employers know these baseline skills are extremely important.
For law enforcement officers, communication, people skills and emotional intelligence play a hugely important role in being effective at the job. Pinsker explains that every interaction from a simple traffic stop or responding to a crime victim to confronting a criminal requires reading people and knowing how to respond in a way that maximizes the chance of a peaceful exchange.
Beyond the skill of communicating and relating to people, the best police officers also know how to build effective relationships. Sun says that simply being friendly to people and showing your good intentions can go a long way toward helping your community trust you.
Over time, even small relationships in the community can change situations that might otherwise be stressful or adversarial. In the jumble of a criminal investigation, not everyone tells the truth. Police officers need to have a real desire to get to the bottom of things, and the critical thinking skills to sift out the truth.
Rushing to conclusions is definitely not OK for police officers, Sun says. It doesn't need to be perfect every time, but the process of investigating needs to be done every time.
While there might be exceptions based on location and the specifics of the role, many police officers have to meet certain physical requirements. The Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS reports that police officers monitor regular patrols and respond to emergency and nonemergency calls.
Some officers have specialized units like horseback, motorcycle, canine corps, and special weapons and tactics SWAT. Officers are often expected to be able to pursue a suspect on foot, perform CPR and assist people in accidents or disaster situations if needed. But going beyond that, police officers who take their physical fitness seriously will have a better chance of thriving in the line of duty.
Some of the traits commonly associated with physical fitness—such as discipline and self-control—are also very helpful.
And as Pinsker points out, sometimes just having a strong command presence can get more done. On paper, these traits and skills can all add up to a good police officer. But success for a police officer can also come from the unique combination of experiences and attributes that you bring to the table. If you could see yourself serving and protecting your community, this career choice might be right for you.
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