Police officers are usually the first point of contact when a crime is committed. They patrol communities, pursue criminals, have the power of arrest and enforce traffic and other laws.

Special assignments can include forensics (fingerprint and DNA evidence, handwriting analysis), canine corps, bicycle or harbor patrol and the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team. Police officers are required to testify in court when appropriate and must write reports and keep records of cases in which they are involved.

Want to be a cop?

For police officers, federal and state positions require college degrees. Some city or township police positions only require a high school diploma.

Although police department staffing is especially subject to budgetary constraints, police officers had median annual earnings of $39,790, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.