I have written this article for people who plan to be a police officer. With the FAQ, they could make sure that it's the right job for them before starting to apply in the program of Police Technology.
Being a police officer is stressful, but rewarding.
Police officers maintain peace, order and public security by patrolling and responding to emergency calls. They prevent and repress crimes, statutory offenses or by-law and municipal infractions. They also have the mandate of searching for the offenders.
At the beginning of their shift, all of the officers assist to the fall in at the police station. Then, all of the duos get in to their car and start to patrol in their assigned area after making sure that no equipment is missing. When there is no emergency call, they check the circulation, make sure that the Highway Safety Code is respected, socialize with the citizens, complete the affectations given by the superior or advance files. Depending on the area, they will respond to a lot of 911 calls. Those could be for an emergency like someone who is in danger of life or who is in mental health crisis. They could also move to meet victims or complainants, put suspects under arrest, deal with people who committed an infraction, assist colleagues in big and serious situations, etc. After they have made an intervention, they always have to fill event report. Even if it's an active job, in a shift, they have a lot of administration to do. Finally, at the end of the day, they go back to the station, fill the last reports and clean their equipment.
Police officers work in a lot of environment, but mostly in a vehicle provided by their police force. Some of them would patrol on foot or on a bike, so they have to be prepared for all kind of weathers. There is also a minority of them who would have a horse as mean of transportation. These might be forced sometimes because of the animal's needs. Actually, they constantly move from place to place. They could be affected in the streets or in a public space, where most of the contact with the community is made. Sometimes, they have to go in citizen housing, and it's not always safe, clean and in a good condition. Police officers often have to go at places that poses risks or themselves. Also, of course, they work at the police station. Depending on their position, they are present there only a few minutes a day or the whole day.
First, you have to complete three years in the program of Police Technology in college after obtaining a secondary school diploma. Then, you must do 15 weeks of training in École nationale de police du Québec. After those steps, you can finally apply for a job in a police force.
The average base salary for a police officer in Quebec is $84,850.
Because it's a physical job, they need to continue to work out to stay in a good shape. Also, they could practice their shooting's skills, their self-defense's skills and fighting's skills. Some of them would even practice their rescue and first aid techniques in simulations. It's not rare that police officers have to assist to conferences about social issues or new intervention techniques. Obviously, if they want to acquire a higher position, they will have to do specific additional training.
As a police officer, you have to deal with people who could be dangerous and armed. Being injured during your shift is a possibility, and that could even lead to death. Also, you would have to go in places that are not safe and clean, so, again, your safety could be compromised. Finally, because police officers are not appreciated by a lot of people, being publicly displayed as one could increase the chance to be a victim of an assault.
It's a job that required a lot of social interactions, and, for most of the situations, police officers have to use their judgment. A robot could not use a discretionary power, because it's a task that is too abstract for an A.I. So, to do this job, robots would never be better than humans.
Usually, police officers retire at an early age, like 55. To retire, they must have worked for at least 25 years or be 60 years old and older or the total of their age and their years of service have to be 75. Plus, officers who are working for the Sûreté du Québec have the obligation to retire at 65 years old. It's a job that asking a lot physically and mentally, so it's normal for them not to be able to continue when they reach a certain age. We have to remember that these people have seen difficult things, so much more than the majority of the population. The difficulties that this job entails therefore exhaust themselves more quickly, but they also allow them to acquire so much experience in their life.
I am now in my second year in the program of Police Technology in College Ahuntsic. After next year, I will apply to the École nationale de police du Québec, the final step of my studies. I plan to work for the Sûreté du Québec after obtaining my diploma. I am more than certain that this job is right for me, and I hope that this FAQ could help some people to be as sure.
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Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: government
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: no sources cited