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Security & DefenceISCO 5412

Police officer

Police officers use investigation methods to prevent crime, to pursue and apprehend criminals, and protect the public from violent and criminal activities. They perform surveillance and patrol activities to prevent crimes and apprehend offenders. They provide support to victimised parties and the public at large, and fulfil administrative duties.

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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

apply first response

handle case evidence

comply with legal regulations

comply with the principles of self-defence

ensure compliance with types of weapons

Key skills in this occupation

Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 15 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.

  1. apply first response

    Respond to medical or trauma emergencies and care for the patient in a manner compliant with health and safety regulations, assessing the legal and ethical issues of the situation, and provide proper pre-hospital care.

    practical skill
  2. handle case evidence

    Handle evidence important for a case in a manner compliant with regulations, in order to not affect the state of the evidence in question and to ensure its pristine condition and usability in the case.

    practical skill
  3. comply with legal regulations

    Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.

    practical skill
  4. comply with the principles of self-defence

    Observe the principles according to which a person should only use so much force as is required to repel an attack.

    practical skill
  5. ensure compliance with types of weapons

    Comply with legal requirements when using different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition.

    practical skill
  6. identify security threats

    Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.

    practical skill
  7. instruct public

    Give instructions to the public during situations where they behave in a manner which is not compliant with laws and regulations, or to guide them during abnormal situations.

    practical skill
  8. detain offenders

    Keep back offenders and trespassers in a certain area.

    practical skill

Check which of these skills you already have ↑

Knowledge (4)

law enforcement
The different organisations involved in law enforcement, as well as the laws and regulations in law enforcement procedures. More →
legal use-of-force
The characteristics of the use-of-force, which is a legal doctrine employed by police and army forces, to regulate acts of violence during interventions. More →
road traffic laws
The rule governing the circulation of vehicles, such as national traffic codes and the rules of the road. More →
first response
The procedures of pre-hospital care for medical emergencies, such as first aid, resuscitation techniques, legal and ethical issues, patient assessment, trauma emergencies. More →

Practical skills (3)

patrol areas
Patrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicating with emergency response organisations. More →
ensure law application
Ensure the laws are followed, and where they are broken, that the correct measures are taken to ensure compliance to the law and law enforcement. More →
use different communication channels
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information. More →
Optional skills (40) — show
railway law
The laws and regulations governing the activities and functioning of the railway system. More →
diving operation requirements
The operational plan and the contingency plan for the diving operation, the diving equipment to be used in the diving operation, the diving signals to be used in the diving operation, the in-water decompression… More →
safe horseback riding principles
Safe horseback riding and training principles. More →
physical characteristics of railways
Familiar with all physical aspects of the railway, including train stations, the incline and decline of the right-of-way and speed limits. More →
illegal substances
The forbidden substances which cannot be transported from one area to another, or carried by an individual, as well as their nature and how to handle them. More →
investigation research methods
The methods and strategies used to conduct police, government intelligence or military investigation research, as well as the research regulations specific to the operation. More →
assess railway operations
Review and study existing railroad equipment, facilities, systems and processes in order to improve railway safety and efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs. More →
restrain individuals
Restrain, or control by force, individuals who violate regulations in terms of acceptable behaviour, who present a threat to others, and who perform acts of violence, to ensure the individual is unable to proceed in… More →
conduct frisk
Conduct frisks, or pat downs, with individual to ensure there are no illegal or dangerous items concealed on their person, in a manner appropriate and compliant with regulations. More →
perform drug investigations
Perform investigations to try and halt the distribution of drugs through illegal and criminal measures, as well as arrest the distributors of illegal drugs. More →
analyse legal evidence
Analyse evidence, such as evidence in criminal cases, legal documentation regarding a case, or other documentation that can be regarded as evidence, in order to obtain a clear image of the case and reach resolutions. More →
present evidence
Present evidence in a criminal or civil case to others, in a convincing and appropriate manner, in order to reach the right or most beneficial solution. More →
investigate forgery cases
Investigate the illegal altering, copying or imitation of articles or goods (for example currency, public records or works of art) used for criminal purposes. More →
anticipate foreseeable problems on the road
Anticipate problems on the road such as punctures, pursuit driving, understeering or, oversteering. More →
perform underwater investigations
Perform investigative activities, searches, or rescue missions underwater by using diving equipment and complying with safety regulations. More →
ensure public safety and security
Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property. More →
use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. More →
maintain order at scenes of accidents
Maintain order at emergency scenes dispersing crowds and keeping family and friends from touching the patient. More →
provide care for horses
Provide care for horses includes cleaning, housing, preparing horses and ponies for riding, fixating and leading horses, taking into account the safety regulations for horses and people and the specific requirements of… More →
examine crime scenes
Examine crime scenes upon arrival to ensure they are not tampered and perform the initial assessments and analyses of what may have occurred, as well as examining the nature of the evidence present. More →
control crowd
Control a crowd or riot, ensuring people do not cross to areas they are not allowed to access, monitoring the crowd's behaviour and responding to suspicious and violent behaviour. More →
conduct drug abuse tests
Conduct alcohol and drug tests according to government and company policies and procedures. More →
manage major incidents
Take immediate action to respond to major incidents that affect the safety and security of individuals in private or public places such as road accidents. More →
educate public on road safety
Develop and execute educational and promotional plans to educate the public on road safety in order to raise awareness and tackle issues such as the proper attitude to adopt as a pedestrian, cyclist or driver and the… More →
regulate traffic
Regulate the flow of traffic by using assigned hand signals, assisting travellers on the road, and aiding people to cross the street. More →
respond to enquiries
Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public. More →
analyse road traffic patterns
Determine the most efficient road traffic patterns and peak times in order to increase schedule efficiency. More →
apply knowledge of human behaviour
Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics. More →
check official documents
Check an individuals' official documentation, such as driver's licenses and identification, to ensure compliance with legal regulations, and to identify and assess individuals. More →
hear witness accounts
Hear witness accounts during a court hearing or during an investigation to assess the significance of the account, its impact on the case under scrutiny or investigation, and to aid in reaching a conclusion. More →
train animals for professional purposes
Train animals for specific activities in order to help humans carry out their professional tasks. More →
maintain diving equipment
Perform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment. More →
write situation reports
Write reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or of missions and… More →
check diving equipment
Check diving equipment for valid certification to ensure its suitability. More →
execute working instructions
Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace. More →
issue fines
Recognise a violation in legislation, and issue the appropriate fine to the offender compliant with regulations and ensuring the person is aware of the specific violation they performed. More →
investigate road accidents
Investigate road vehicle accidents and conduct post-accident debriefing conferences. More →
manage theft prevention
Apply theft and robbery prevention; monitor security surveillance equipment; enforce security procedures if needed. More →
ride horses
Ride horses, and pay attention to ensuring the safety of the horse and rider, and applying proper horseback riding techniques. More →
practice vigilance
Practice vigilance during patrol or other surveillance activities in order to ensure safety and security, to look out for suspicious behaviour or other alarming changes in patterns or activities, and to respond quickly… More →

Related Occupations

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Frequently asked questions

What does a police officer do?

Police officers use investigation methods to prevent crime, to pursue and apprehend criminals, and protect the public from violent and criminal activities. They perform surveillance and patrol activities to prevent crimes and apprehend offenders. They provide support to victimised parties and the public at large, and fulfil administrative duties.

What skills does a police officer need?

A police officer needs 15 essential skills, including law enforcement, legal use-of-force, road traffic laws, first response, apply first response.

Will AI replace police officer jobs?

The AI disruption score for police officer is 24/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: respond to enquiries, road traffic laws, write situation reports. Most resilient: legal use-of-force, restrain individuals, ride horses.

AI Replacement Risk

24/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

SectorSecurity & Defence
ISCO GroupProtective services workers
Essential Skills15

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