| Becoming a police officer means you'll be taking | | | | Police officers are not considered the highest paid |
| on the most noble of jobs. Policemen and women | | | | workers in the country, yet they risk their lives |
| are highly respected members of any community | | | | everyday to serve people and protect their |
| who risk their life daily in order to protect citizens. | | | | territory. However, police officers do have a |
| For this reason, becoming a police officer can be | | | | decent average salary compared with many |
| risky although very exciting. No two days are | | | | corporate jobs, with $43,000 being the average. |
| ever the same for a police officer out in the field. | | | | A campus officer can expect to receive $40,000 |
| In addition, there are many levels and | | | | per year. Of course all police officers who are |
| departments that a policeman can work towards. | | | | newly recruited will earn less in the initial stages |
| The majority of officers will progress through the | | | | but are assured of regular pay rises as their rank |
| ranks throughout their career, resulting in greater | | | | increases. |
| responsibility and a higher salary. | | | | The highest paid officer is usually the Lateral Police |
| Becoming a policeman involves undergoing a series | | | | Officer with an average salary of $63,000 per |
| of tests, exams and study. Budding police officers | | | | year. A new police cadet on average earns only |
| can prepare by revising English lessons from | | | | $25,000. A police academy cadet can expect an |
| school. It is advisable to have good writing skills as | | | | average of $51,000 as can an Airport Police |
| essays will need to be written. You should also | | | | Officer. |
| build your physical fitness in order to be able to | | | | Other salaries for various jobs in the police force |
| withstand the demands of police training. Some | | | | include: |
| budding police officers even join the military for | | | | Police Recruit: $48,000 Police Officer: $46,000 |
| several years. | | | | Police Officer Lateral: $61,000 Police Officer And |
| Police recruitment involves a thorough background | | | | Dispatcher; $56,000 Supervisory Police Officer: |
| check so you should have a clean history. You | | | | $53,000 Lead Police Officer: $44,000 Supervisor |
| also will need to take the written civil service | | | | Police Officer: $57,000 Police Cadet: $25,000 |
| exam which you can get from your local police | | | | Newly recruited police officers receive full pay and |
| department. | | | | benefits from day one of their employment. This |
| A physical exam will need to be undertaken and | | | | is at the police cadet average salary of $25,000. |
| passed. This test will generally involve aspects of | | | | After 6 months of training in the Police Academy |
| agility, strength and endurance. A vision and | | | | the salary jumps to around $32,000 and every |
| hearing medical test will also be required. All of | | | | year it increases. |
| these tests ensure that you are fit and healthy | | | | Once a police officer has been active in the force |
| enough to endure the rigors of being in the law | | | | for 5.5 years their salary has usually increased to |
| enforcement field. | | | | around $60,000. Other allowances are also added |
| Many departments now also require a lie detector | | | | onto the base salary including holiday pay and |
| test to be taken. A drug test is also performed. | | | | uniform allowance. |
| Your drug test will need to be totally clear. | | | | There are many options for career advancement |
| Random drug tests are also performed | | | | when you are a police officer. The NYPD |
| throughout the career of a police officer. | | | | conducts promotional exams every two years for |
| The final step to becoming a police officer is an | | | | police officers. Once the exams are passed, |
| interview with a senior officer. Some offices | | | | officers can move on to the Lieutenant rank |
| require a personality test to be taken at this time | | | | which pays as much as $100,000 per year. This |
| too. During your interview, you should display a | | | | can be a significantly fast advancement compared |
| firm, confident personality as police generally do | | | | with other fields of work. |
| not hire timid, unsure people. | | | | After 20 years of police service an officer is |
| Some personal skills required of a police officer | | | | entitled to retirement benefits of around $46,000 |
| are: | | | | per year. An officer will also receive medical |
| - Team player - Confident - Well spoken - Well | | | | benefits, deferred compensation plans and an |
| educated - Good communication - Respect for all | | | | annuity fund. The retirement benefits will depend |
| races and types of people - Sensitivity in difficult | | | | largely upon the rank. |
| situations - Can emotionally detach from personal | | | | Being a police officer is a highly rewarding career |
| situations | | | | as you are not just serving yourself, but your |
| These personal skills will ensure you have a long | | | | entire community. As you can see, there is plenty |
| career; one that is filled with many achievements. | | | | of room for advancement within this field and it is |
| Salary for Police Officers | | | | considered a very secure line of work. |