Policeman

Police officer

Police officers in South Australia
Occupation
Activity sectors	Law enforcement, public safety, civil service, public service rescue
Description
Competencies	Physical fitness, sense of justice, knowledge of the law, communication skills, brave, quick thinking under pressure, competence at legal paper work, problem solving
Education required	Secondary or tertiary education
Related jobs	gendarmerie, military police, security guard, bodyguard

A police officer, also known as a policewoman, policeman, police agent is a warranted law employee of a police force. In the United States, "officer" usually is the formal name of the lowest police rank. In many other countries, "officer" is a generic term not specifying a particular rank, and the lowest rank is often "constable". In some nations the use of the rank "officer" is legally reserved for military personnel. Police officers are generally charged with the apprehension of criminals and the prevention and detection of crime, protection and assistance of the general public, and the maintenance of public order. Police officers may be sworn to an oath, and have the power to arrest people and detain them for a limited time, along with other duties and powers. Some police officers may also be trained in special duties, such as counter-terrorism, surveillance, child protection, VIP protection, civil law enforcement, and investigation techniques into major crime including fraud, rape, murder, and drug trafficking. Although many police officers wear a corresponding uniform, some police officers are plain-clothed in order to dissimulate as ordinary citizens.

The word police comes from the Greek politia meaning government, which came to mean its civil administration. Police officers are those empowered by government to enforce the laws it creates. In The Federalist Papers (#51), James Madison wrote "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." These words apply to those who serve government, including police.