Police work closely with people or neighborhoods. Most of their work is stressful, and involves risks.  Usually, police write reports, maintain records, and so on.  However, there are differences of police works depend on what kind of police they are.  For example, police officers who work in small communities, their main work maybe to direct traffic at the scene of a fire, investigate a burglary or give first aid to people who get in an accident.  In contrast, police officers who work in large departments, their duty is to patrol a designated area to prevent crime. Also, state police officers patrol on the highway mainly, and enforce motor vehicle laws, and regulations.

To become a police officer, a person needs a sense of responsibility, honesty, and integrity.  Candidates are interviewed by senior police officers if they have these qualities.  Some candidates are interviewed by psychiatrist, or psychologist, or given personal test.  All candidates have to take a physical examination, and it includes tests of hearing, vision, strength and agility.

Although police work is very dangerous and stressful, their earnings are really fascinating.  Nonsupervisory police officers’ salary was about 34,700 dollars a year based on 1996’s record.  Police officers who are in the supervisory positions, earn about 41,200 dollars a year.

All in all, police have many kinds of work, and they have to face unexpected things.  Therefore, they have to get used to these things, and have to have a quick response.  Also, it is very important to have a lot of experience to correspond to any situation.

 Ayumi Sugai