Police Officer Protective Services Workers
SaveWhat 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.
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Where Do I Start?
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. Use-of-force is ought to balance security needs with ethical concerns for the rights and well-being of intruders or suspects.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Police Officer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialLegal Use-Of-Force knowledge
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. Use-of-force is ought to balance security needs …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialRoad Traffic Laws knowledge
Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialFirst Response knowledge
The procedures of pre-hospital care for medical emergencies, such as first aid, resuscitation techniques, legal and ethical issues, patient assessment, trauma emergencies.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialLaw Enforcement knowledge
The different organisations involved in law enforcement, as well as the laws and regulations in law enforcement procedures.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialComply With Legal Regulations skill
Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComply With The Principles Of Self-Defence skill
Observe the principles according to which a person should only use so much force as is required to repel an attack. The use of deadly force is limited to situations …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDetain Offenders skill
Keep back offenders and trespassers in a certain area.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Types Of Weapons skill
Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Law Application skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Evidence skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialIdentify Security Threats skill
Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPatrol Areas skill
Patrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicate with emergency response organisations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Different Communication Channels skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply First Response skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInstruct Public skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 41 displayed)
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OptionalInvestigation Research Methods knowledge
The methods and strategies used to conduct police, government intelligence or military investigation research, as well as the research regulations specific to the operation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalIllegal Substances knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalDiving Operation Requirements knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPhysical Characteristics Of Railways knowledge
Familiar with all physical aspects of the railway, including train stations, the incline and decline of the right-of-way and speed limits.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalRailway Law knowledge
The laws and regulations governing the activities and functioning of the railway system.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalSafe Horseback Riding Principles knowledge
Safe horseback riding and training principles.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAnalyse Legal Evidence skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Knowledge Of Human Behaviour skill
Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCheck Diving Equipment skill
Check diving equipment for valid certification to ensure its suitability. Ensure that any diving equipment is examined by a competent person before use, at least once on each day on …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCheck Official Documents skill
Check an individuals' official documentation, such as driver's licenses and identification, to ensure compliance with legal regulations, and to identify and assess individuals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalControl Crowd skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Public Safety And Security skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Given Instructions skill
Follow instructions to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Conflicts skill
Mediate in conflicts and tense situations by acting between parties, such as service users, important others like families, and institutions, striving to effect an agreement, reconciliate, and resolve problems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHear Witness Accounts skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Diving Equipment skill
Perform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Major Incidents skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Theft Prevention skill
Apply theft and robbery prevention; monitor security surveillance equipment; enforce security procedures if needed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPractice Vigilance skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPresent Evidence skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRespond To Enquiries skill
Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRestrain Individuals skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Personal Protection Equipment skill
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Situation Reports skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAnalyse Road Traffic Patterns skill
Determine the most efficient road traffic patterns and peak times in order to increase schedule efficiency.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAnticipate Foreseeable Problems On The Road skill
Anticipate problems on the road such as punctures, pursuit driving, understeering or, oversteering.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssess Railway Operations skill
Review and study existing railroad equipment, facilities, systems and processes in order to improve railway safety and efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Drug Abuse Tests skill
Conduct alcohol and drug tests according to government and company policies and procedures. Conducts random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing using basic equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Frisk skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDrug Investigations skill
Perform investigations to try and halt the distribution of drugs through illegal and criminal measures, as well as arrest the distributors of illegal drugs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEducate Public On Road Safety skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalExamine Crime Scenes skill
Examine crime scenes upon arrival to ensure they are not tampered with, and to perform the initial assessments and analyses of what may have occurred, as well as examining the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInvestigate Forgery Cases skill
Investigate the illegal altering, copying or imitation of articles or goods (for example currency, public records or works of art) used for criminal purposes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInvestigate Road Accidents skill
Investigate road vehicle accidents and conduct post-accident debriefing conferences. Analyse the exact circumstances of the accident and present conclusions to the authorities. Provide recommendations on how future accidents may be …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIssue Fines skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Order At Scenes Of Accidents skill
Maintain order at emergency scenes dispersing crowds and keeping family and friends from touching the patient.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Underwater Investigations skill
Perform investigative activities, searches, or rescue missions underwater by using diving equipment and complying with safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Care For Horses skill
Provide care for horses includes cleaning, housing, preparing horses and ponies for riding, fixating and leading horeses, taking into account the safety regulations for horeses and people, specific requirements of …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRegulate Traffic skill
Regulate the flow of traffic by using assigned hand signals, assisting travellers on the road, and aiding people to cross the street.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRide Horses skill
Ride horses, and pay attention to ensuring the safety of the horse and rider, and applying proper horseback riding techniques
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTrain Animals For Professional Purposes skill
Train animals for specific activities in order to help humans carry out their professional tasks.
Course recommendations coming soon.