A police officer protects and serves their community, enforcing laws and responding to calls. Their work involves road patrol, checking for traffic violations, and responding to incidents like break-ins. The job can be dangerous. To become an officer requires a high school diploma, completing a police academy and passing a physical test. The outlook for police officer jobs is expected to increase 5% by 2022, though the average salary is $26,000 per year. Officers use technology like radios, computers, cameras, and vehicles in their work.