A police officer's primary job is to maintain peace and protect citizens by responding to 911 calls, intervening in crimes, interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and testifying in court. To become an officer, one must be prepared to deal with stress, work odd hours including nights and early mornings, and handle firearms. Requirements include taking certain high school classes, doing ride-alongs, staying out of trouble, and meeting physical fitness standards like running 300 meters in under 57 seconds. With crime an ongoing problem, the demand for law enforcement officers is expected to increase, with earnings ranging from $29,678 to $79,640 per year. Training involves exams, a 5-6 month police academy on topics like

1. POLICE OFFICER
W. BOUTILLIER #26

2. AS A POLICE OFFICER
 Your primary job is to maintain the peace and
protect the lives and property of the citizens
 You will have to responded to 911 calls and
intervene whenever a crime is being committed
 You will have to interview eyewitnesses, gather
evidence and testify against suspects in court

3. IF YOUR INTERESTED, BE
PREPARED TO
Deal with stress- you may have to deal with
death and suffering, which could take a toll
on you
Work odd hours- police work is shift work,
so you may work late at night or early in the
morning
Handle firearms- you must carry and know
how to properly care for and fire a gun

4. HOW TO GET THERE
 In high school, take English, social studies
 Take a lot of gym classes
 Do ride-along so you know what a police
officers do
 Stay out of trouble
 Must be 21 years of age

5. PHYSICAL FITNESS STANDERS
 300-meter run (57.0 seconds)
 One-minute sit-up test (minimum 30)
 Maximum push-up test (minimum 21)
 1.5 mile run (14.30 minutes)

6. JOB OUTLOOK
Crime will always be a problem in
communities across the country, and as
people become more security conscious
the demand for law enforcement officers
will increase

7. EARNINGS
 $29,678 - $79,640 per year

8. TRIANING
 If accepted, they will then put you through a
series of physical and mental exams and
then 5-6 months of police academy
 At the academy you will study things like
civil rights, state laws, accident
investigations, traffic control, self defense
and using weapons