Police Officers
(NOC 4311)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesPolice officers protect the public, find and prevent crime and do other activities to maintain law and order. They work for municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow slightly over the next few years, which should provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a small percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are not expected to be a major contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Police Officers (Except Commissioned) most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 79% of Police Officers (Except Commissioned) who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $99,184. 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
$24.04
Minimum$41.35
Median$47.60
MaximumAnnual Pay
$56,982
Minimum$97,595
Median$122,030
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.74
Minimum$33.28
Median$46.76
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Police officers protect the public, find and prevent crime and do other activities to maintain law and order. They work for municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments.
Job duties
Police officers:
- Patrol areas to maintain public safety and order and to enforce laws and regulations.
- Investigate crimes and accidents, carry out search warrants, gather evidence, interview witnesses, compile notes and reports and testify in court.
- Arrest criminal suspects.
- Help 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.
Sample job titles
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) investigator
- community relations officer
- constable
- crime prevention constable
- detective
- harbour police officer
- highway patrol officer
- police cadet
- police officer
- police sergeant
- railway police officer
- RCMP officer
- crime scene technician
- police diver
Skills
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
- High school is required.
- A college program or university degree in law and security or in the social sciences is usually required.
- A three-to-six-month police training program is required.
- Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met, and psychological or other tests are also required.
- Experience as a constable and the completion of specialized courses are required for detectives and sergeants.
- Specialized training or certification is required for certain areas of policing.
Other considerations
Earnings will generally increase with the officer's rank and years of service. Movement 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 Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
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
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$96,419 median annual incomeBachelor
$99,857 median annual incomeHigh school
$101,025 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$81,572 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$92,716 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 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
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
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
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.
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.
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
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
Employment requirements & contacts
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