State Police
 |
 Vermont State Police patch new  US $.99
|
 City of Gastonia North Carolina State of NC Law Enforcement Police Patch US $3.49
|
 SPRING HILL KANSAS Police Patch STATE SEAL RISING SUN RIVER US $2.99
|
In Massachusetts, what is the difference between a Sheriff, State Police, and City Police Officer?
It’s my understanding their roles are very different in other parts of the country, especially rural areas.
I see people speeding without care past Sheriffs but a State Police officer sees them, they are getting pulled over.
What’s the deal here in the Bay State? Thanks!
It depends on the county.
In Mass the state police do have a bigger role than in most states.
For most. not al counties, they supply the manpower and expertise for smaller towns and unincorporated areas. In other states that is usually done by the local county sheriffs office.
Take Suffolk (Boston area) the Sheriff can enforce all laws but the cars you see are usually just doing civil process, that is serving subpoenas and evictions and such, not enforcement work.
The sheriff also handles all of the court services (bailiffs) and jails.
The east coast states tend to have a bunch of different law enforcement jurisdictions, stuff left over from common law and colonial law days.
When you think of police officers (also known as cops), you probably think of an action-filled job that involves protecting people or rescuing them from dangerous situations. While officers certainly do these things, police work isn't always that glamorous.
Police work also involves some rather dull and mundane things like paperwork, directing traffic, responding to bogus domestic disputes, and other not-so-dangerous things. This is why working as an officer requires a range of skills, and police officers must be ready to switch to emergency mode at any moment.
What Are Some Things Cops Do in a Typical Work Day?
They do a variety of things, but some common job duties are:
1. Arrest people with outstanding warrants
2. Interview witnesses and suspects
3. Testify in court
4. Do paperwork
5. Patrol high crime areas
6. Give traffic tickets
7. Direct traffic
Working as a law enforcement officer can be a very high stress job, because officers never know when they may be put in dangerous situations. You can be sitting at a desk doing paperwork one moment, and then called to the scene of a dangerous crime the next.
Most officers also work at least 40 hours per week, and shift can include nights and weekends. Police work is a round-the-clock endeavor, and there must be officers on duty at all times.
How Do I Prepare to Become a Cop?
Most of the time officers must be U.S. citizens, though sometimes lawful permanent residents may also become law enforcement officers. You must be in good physical shape and display evidence of good moral character. At a minimum, you will need to have a high school diploma and pass the required written and physical tests.
Some work experience in a related area like store security personnel, nightclub bouncer, or bodyguard, will make it easier to get hired as a cop. Many local and state police departments don't require a college degree, but may require some college credits. Federal police agencies usually require a degree in criminal justice or law enforcement.
Upon hire, police agencies almost universally put newly hired officers through a training academy or course to learn the basics of department procedures. Things like safe handling of weapons and those in custody, and a variety of other procedural and safety issues will be covered.
What's the Job Outlook for Police Officers?
The job outlook for police officers is decent, though growth will not be spectacular. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of new job openings for officers is likely to increase about the same as the average for all other jobs through 2016. Crime is an unfortunate fact of life, and officers will continue to play a vital role in protecting public safety.
While police officers are in demand, there is moderate competition for jobs because many people look for the sense of challenge and reward that a career as a law enforcement officer can provide. Local police departments will offer the best growth opportunities, and candidates with experience in the military or related fields plus some college coursework in police science will have better chances of getting hired.
Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the Resource Box should be included and the links are clickable.
Copywriter Kenneth Echie. Kenneth is a writer for Criminal Justice Degrees. Get free scholarship report and learn to become a Police Officer by visiting.