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Skills and Abilities

Police Officer with citizensModern policing has placed new emphasis on nontraditional skills for officers.  Many law enforcement agencies are moving away from the traditional reactive model of policing and toward community and intelligence-based problem-solving models.  These models see problems and information analysis rather than individual crimes or criminals as the basis of police work.  Agencies as a whole and individual officers seek to reduce crime and the fear of crime through identifying problems and facilitating community partnerships to solve them.  This is distinctly different from the traditional policing that relied primarily on arrest and prosecution and therefore requires a nontraditional skill set.  While the physical skills are still important and necessary, today’s officers should be adept at fostering relationships, building connections between people and groups, and come prepared to solve problems with a broad community focus.

Policewoman with child

To meet community policing missions, many agencies today hire in the spirit of service. Agencies are looking for individuals who are drawn to and exhibit characteristics in line with the service element of policing over the prospect of adventure.

A U.S. Department of Justice-funded research project focusing on the Hiring In The Spirit of Service initiative identified the following as core competencies for law enforcement officers:

  • Ability to use good judgment and to problem solve
  • Capacity for empathy and compassion
  • Capacity for multi-tasking
  • Ability to demonstrate courage and to take responsibility
  • Ability to be resourceful and show initiative
  • Demonstrating assertiveness
  • Possess and demonstrate integrity
  • Capacity for engaging in teamwork and ability to collaborate
Police officers with citizen

Additionally, the following psychological competencies were also identified.

  • Social competence
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability / flexibility
  • Conscientiousness / Dependability
  • Impulse control / Attention to safety
  • Integrity / Ethics
  • Emotional regulation and stress tolerance
  • Decision making and judgment
  • Assertiveness / Persuasiveness
  • Avoiding substance abuse and other risk taking behavior
  • Commitment to service / Social concern

While different agencies look for different skills and abilities, applicants with the above traits may find themselves well suited for a career in policing, particularly in an agency that subscribes to the community policing model.