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Police Officers (Except Commissioned)
What they do?
Police officers perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Patrol assigned areas to maintain public safety and order and to enforce laws and regulations
B. Investigate crimes and accidents, secure evidence, interview witnesses, compile notes and reports and provide testimony in courts of law
C. Arrest criminal suspects
D. Provide emergency assistance to victims of accidents, crimes and natural disasters
E. Participate in crime prevention, public information and safety programs
F. May supervise and co-ordinate the work of other police officers.
What education do I need?
1. To be a police officer, you must have a high school diploma, and may be required to complete a college diploma or university degree in law/security or in social sciences. You must also complete a three- to six-month training program.
2. You must meet physical strength, agility, fitness, and vision requirements as well as some psychological or other tests.
3. To be a detective or sergeant, you need experience as a constable and to have completed specialized courses.
4. With additional training/experience, you may move up the ranks to become a commissioned police officer.
5. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma, and almost 3 in 10 have an undergraduate university degree.
High School Subject that will help:
1. English
2. Physical Education
3. Sciences
4. Social Studies
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Police Officers (Except Commissioned) is $25.50/HR, which is above average for occupations in the sale and service sector and are above average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
0% of Police Officers (Except Commissioned) are unemployed. This rate is below the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Police Officers (Except Commissioned) is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings.
3. Hourly wages ($25.50) are above the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is below average.
4. The unemployment rate (0%) is below the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average. The demand for police services is expected to keep pace with the population growth.
2. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Police Officers (Except Commissioned) are found in Saskatchewan and Manitoba while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (72%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Community service
2. Teamwork
3. Physical fitness
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
1% of Police Officers (Except Commissioned) are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 62,200 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 2% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be above average because of a tendency to retire at an earlier-than-average age (56).
