Police Officers
(NOC 0431, 4311)
in All NS OccupationsPolice officers protect the public, detect and prevent crimes, and perform other activities directed at maintaining law and order. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments. This group includes officers from the rank of staff sergeant to police commissioner.
Job Outlook
Limited
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Compared to: All NS Occupations
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “limited”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is below average when compared with other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. However, jobseekers may face some competition for those positions. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Police Officers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically temporary positions (such as a term, contract, or casual work).
The median employment income for 79% of Police Officers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $99,341. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$26.92
Minimum$41.78
Median$48.45
MaximumAnnual Pay
$56,550
Minimum$97,817
Median$122,959
MaximumCompared to: All NS Occupations
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$19.89
Median$40.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,872
Minimum$29,983
Median$83,126
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Police officers protect the public, detect and prevent crimes, and perform other activities directed at maintaining law and order. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments. This group includes officers from the rank of staff sergeant to police commissioner.
Job duties
Police officers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Patrol assigned areas to maintain public safety and order and to enforce laws and regulations.
- Investigate crimes and accidents, secure evidence, interview witnesses, compile notes and reports and provide testimony in courts of law.
- Arrest criminal suspects.
- Provide emergency assistance to victims of accidents, crimes and natural disasters.
- Participate in crime prevention, public information and safety programs.
- May supervise and coordinate the work of other police officers.
Commissioned police officers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a police force or division of a police force.
- Develop and implement police force policies and procedures.
- Oversee police investigations and ensure that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Assess performance of subordinates and authorize promotions, transfers and disciplinary actions.
Sample job titles
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) investigator
- chief detective
- police cadet
- police captain
- police chief
- police commissioner
- police constable
- police inspector
- police investigator
- police lieutenant
- police officer
- police sergeant
- school safety officer - police
Skills
To work in these jobs you should be physically fit and in excellent health. Cultural sensitivity, patience, and mental stability are important. You must be resourceful, able to give and take orders, and able to make decisions quickly. Excellent communication, observation, and problem-solving skills are essential. You should also be able to communicate with and gain the respect of the public.
Job requirements
- Completion of high school is required.
- Completion of a college program or university degree in law and security, social sciences or business administration is usually required.
- A three to six month police training program is provided.
- Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met, and psychological or other tests may also be required.
- Experience as a constable and the completion of specialized courses are required for detectives and sergeants.
- Several years of experience as a police officer are required to become a commissioned officer.
Other considerations
Earnings will generally increase with the officer's rank and years of service. Progression to commissioned police officer positions is possible with additional training and experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All NS Occupations
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
North Shore
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Public Administration
Other Industries
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
15-24
65+
Compared to: All NS Occupations
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
N/ABachelor's degree
$50,746 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ATrades certificate
N/AUniversity certificate or diploma
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Bachelor's degree
$43,533 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$28,183 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$35,978 median annual incomeHigh school
$25,801 median annual incomeDoctorate
$60,991 median annual incomeEducation & training
Criminal justice/law enforcement administration
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, directing and controlling criminal justice agencies, including police departments, law enforcement divisions and units, and protective services.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Criminal justice/police science
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to perform the duties of police and public security officers, including patrol and investigative activities, traffic control, crowd control and public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, basic crime prevention methods, weapon and equipment operation and maintenance, report preparation and other routine law enforcement responsibilities.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
3660 Commission Street, 2nd Floor
Halifax, NS B3K 0A5
(902) 482-4704
2 Chapman Street
Dartmouth, NS B3A 0C3
(902) 490-5345
Criminology
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the systematic study of crime as a sociopathological phenomenon, the behaviour of criminals, and the social institutions evolved to respond to crime. These programs include courses in the theory of crime, psychological and social bases of criminal behaviour, social value systems and the theory of punishment, criminal law and criminal justice systems, penology, rehabilitation and recidivism, studies of specific types of crime, social attitudes and policy, and applications to specific issues in law enforcement administration and policy.
Institutions providing this program
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
Crisis/emergency/disaster management
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program focusing on the application of the incident command system model to formulating and implementing effective response to natural and man-made disasters. These programs include courses in contingency planning, hazard and risk assessment, joint operations, law and ethics, emergency response and recovery, event mitigation, emergency rescue and medical operations, incident command, terrorism and national security issues, law enforcement, relief administration, volunteer and citizen coordination, public relations and applications to specific types of incidents.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Dispute resolution
This program is typically offered at the university level.This instructional program class includes any program that provides individuals with skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, that can be applied to resolve disputes in a variety of settings, including business, legal, domestic, and labour relations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Forensic science and technology
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the application of the physical, biomedical, and social sciences to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human testimony and criminal suspects. These programs include courses in forensic medicine, forensic dentistry, anthropology, psychology, pathology, forensic laboratory technology, crime scene analysis, fingerprint technology, document analysis, pattern analysis, examination procedures, applicable laws and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
Institutions providing this program
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
International relations and national security studies, other
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program not listed above that relates to International relations and national security studies.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Peace studies and conflict resolution
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the origins, resolution and prevention of international and inter-group conflicts. These programs include courses in peace research methods and related social scientific and psychological knowledge bases.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.