Community policing is an important aspect of a law enforcement career. Many agencies today hire in the spirit of service, not in the spirit of adventure. In other words, agencies are looking for individuals who are drawn to and exhibit characteristics in line with the service element of policing over the prospect of excitement and adventure. And rightly so -- analysis of calls for service shows the vast majority of calls to which officers respond are not crime related.
Some of these core competencies include
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.