Skills and Abilities

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.