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Government & Public ServicesStable

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer

Operational-level

Also known as: Accident Prevention Squad Police Officer, Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent (ALE Agent), Animal Cop, Border Guard

Government & Public ServicesBachelor's Degree

Job Description

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Law EnforcementCriminal JusticePolice SciencePublic SafetyGovernmentPublic AdministrationLegal StudiesReal EstatePolice & Military

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+3.5%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

51,500

per year (US)

Jobs today

693,200

in 2025 → 717,300 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
High
Working outdoors
High
Indoor, climate-controlled
Moderate
Dealing with customers
High
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

This field maintains steady employment levels with consistent demand. Job opportunities remain available with moderate competition.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Agent de sécurité
  • Opérateur de centre d'appels d'urgence
  • Cadet policier

Where it can lead

  • Détective
  • Sergent de police
  • Lieutenant de police

Impact of AI on this Job

In the next 5-10 years, AI will primarily serve as a powerful augmentation tool for police and sheriff's patrol officers, providing predictive analytics for crime, faster data processing from surveillance, and enhanced communication. This will enable officers to make more informed decisions, increase operational efficiency, and focus more on community engagement and complex problem-solving, rather than replacing their essential human roles.