What do police do? Police officers, law enforcement officers, security officers, and people in related positions may be called to any number of work environments, and perform a variety of tasks.
Police officers, law enforcement officers, security officers, and people in related positions may be called to any number of work environments, and perform a variety of tasks.
The main duties of a police officer, among others, are to:
duty Respond to emergency calls such as crimes, accidents/incidents/collisions, fire, violent situations, and natural disasters.
duty Patrol assigned areas to maintain public safety.
duty Enforce laws and regulations.
duty Control traffic during emergencies, road work, etc.
duty Investigate crimes and incidents.
duty Arrest suspects.
duty Perform traffic stops and direct traffic.
duty Perform first aid.
duty Educate the public on crime prevention and safety.
Police work is among the most dangerous and requires special training. Somehazards of police work include:
Biological hazards
Chemical hazards
Ergonomic hazards
Physical hazards
Psychosocial hazards
Safety hazards
biological Exposure to contagious and infectious diseases from people, animals, needles, and other sources.
general Exposure to opioids or other substances.
general Exposure to pollutants from vehicular traffic, such as carbon monoxide.
safety Exposure to combustion by-products, such as from from fires.
chemical Exposure to chemicals emitted from spills or other incidents.
general Standing or sitting for long hours.
ergonomic Pain from physical overexertion and prolonged or awkward body postures.
psychosocial Fatigue from shift work.
physical Exposure to extreme working conditions, extreme temperatures (including extreme cold and heat) and UV radiation.
physical Noise.
psychosocial Psychological stress or trauma.
psychosocial Working alone.
psychosocial Workplace violence or harassment, and harassment from the public.
safety Slips, trips and falls.
safety Risk of injury from the various locations where police may be called to: fire, explosion, unstable structures and surfaces, falling objects, or working at heights, road traffic, water, confined spaces, large crowds, etc.
general Danger of driving at high speeds, often in difficult traffic or weather conditions.
requirement Wash your hands frequently and follow other good hygiene practices to reduce the chance of illness.
requirement Follow precautions for first responders when opioids or related substances are suspected.
ppe Use personal protective equipment or other barriers for the task.
requirement Exercise regularly to keep fit and reduce the risk of injury.
requirement Learn and follow safe lifting techniques.
requirement Take breaks, as appropriate, from awkward positions or repetitive physical tasks.
requirement Follow a recommended shift work pattern and protect yourself from the hazards associated with shift work.
administrative Follow safety procedures for working in the cold or in the heat.
requirement Use sun protection, such as sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.
administrative Follow safety procedures for working alone, or for avoiding working alone wherever possible.
requirement Maintain regular radio communication with colleagues.
requirement Learn about stress and post-traumatic stress, and consider a debriefing session or counselling after a critical or traumatic event.
administrative Learn and follow company violence and harassment prevention policy and procedures.
administrative Have extensive safety and skills training (firearm use, use of force, etc.).
requirement Be aware of traffic hazards and always be cautious of moving vehicles (exercise extra caution when stopping vehicles or directing traffic in busy roadways). Keep vehicles in your field of vision whenever possible.
requirement Exercise caution when driving (wear seatbelts, be cautious when crossing intersections even when the siren is on, etc.)
requirement Always be aware of your surroundings and on the alert for dangerous people or situations. Call for backup, when needed.
Ensure that you are trained and informed on how to avoid the various health and safety hazards of your job. Read about these:
Always: