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While most of us are familiar with what a police officer is, the term “peace officer” is lesser known.
“The term ‘peace officer’ is a general, umbrella term that encompasses all levels of police officers from municipal/local police, to Sheriffs, to State Police, to federal officers,” says Eileen Carlin, instructor in Rasmussen’s Law Enforcement program.
“It is a broad, legal term for anyone authorized to enforce laws and maintain public order (such as police, deputies, marshals).”
Law enforcement personnel, including peace officers, are charged to protect the communities they serve. They preserve public order, address security issues, provide crisis management and deal with everything from civil misdemeanors to federal crimes.
Police officers vs. peace officers
Police officers are a type of peace officer who works for a police department. Not all peace officers will be police officers however, since the term "peace officer" can include many types of law enforcement, including federal law enforcement.
All peace officers have the power to enforce the law, solve crimes, collect evidence from crime scenes and interview witnesses and suspects. But the job can look very different depending on where you work and what type of peace officer you are.
At the local level, they are also responsible for patrolling public areas and roads to ensure the security of the community. At the state level, they might work under the attorney general with responsibilities to respond to armed threats. At the federal level they might be investigating international crime.
Sworn vs. non-sworn officers
Peace officers must be sworn-in. What this means is that they’ve attended some kind of training academy and meet the requirements for eligibility set by their state.
The term “sworn officer” refers to officers who have the authority to carry a firearm, arrest suspects and have a badge.
Non-sworn officers are civilians working in a law enforcement role.1 They do not have the authority to carry firearms or make arrests and are not considered peace officers. They do play important roles in law enforcement such as handling administrative duties, forensic analysis or outreach to the community.
Peace officer duties
A peace officer has many, very specifically assigned duties, including:
- Helping to reduce incidences of crime
- Maintaining public peace
- Responding to emergencies
- Investigating crimes
- Conducting searches of property
- Arresting individuals
The level of authority will vary depending on each officer’s level and role.
The duties and powers often differ by state or by the place of employment.2 For example, campus police officers often don't have as much power as an officer working for a state or federal law enforcement agency. In addition, some peace officers hold specialized roles. Some may focus on investigations, crisis response, gang violence or illegal drugs. Others focus on public safety.
Proactive policing
“Some of the most notable accomplishments made in contemporary policing are proactive policing,” Carlin says. She explains that proactive policing is all about preventing crimes from happening in the first place.
“This is different than the traditional policing focus, which was more reactive (simply waiting until a crime occurred and then responding),” Carlin says.
The rise in a more proactive approach involves educating the public, collaborating with cities and government organizations to make resources available to people at risk of committing a crime, such as those struggling with substance abuse or mental health concerns, according to Carlin.
When used well, a proactive approach makes better use of resources and can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Policing with technology
“Improved technology, such as body cameras and dash cameras, has helped reduce the number of fraudulent complaints against police and helped maintain accountability among officers,” Carlin says.
Database technology paired with systems like Compstat can help police departments understand where things are working well and where they need to try a new approach or change their methods.4
Building better rapport with communities
“A renewed investment in community policing has improved relations between police and the community by showing citizens that the police are there to provide help and assistance.
Most departments today have officers who are dedicated to only community policing. This function has helped improve trust and enabled citizens and police to develop a good rapport. Finally, police today are trained on how to better assist crime victims by being trained on available resources, keeping the victim apprised of what is happening with the investigation, and showing compassion and patience.”
How to become a peace officer
Becoming a peace officer requires intellectual and physical competencies as well as demonstrating good citizenship. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and have:3
- At least a high school diploma (Some may require a two-year degree)
- Physical fitness
- A clean criminal record
- A valid driver's license
- Completion of a psychological exam
- An in-depth understanding of the law, including criminal procedures
- Ability to pass a background check and drug test
- Completion of classroom instruction in investigative methods, criminal law and defense strategies
- Hands-on firearms training
What you need to succeed as a peace officer
Being a peace officer is physically and mentally challenging. To thrive in this career, you need some crucial skills and traits.
Stamina for long shifts
It's very important to consider the working hours of a peace officer role, Carlin points out. “Most departments have officers working 12-hour shifts,” she says. This can come with consequences for your circadian rhythm and overall health.
“We are not nocturnal animals,” Carlin says. “I made the mistake of using caffeine to help keep me awake at 3AM, but then I could not sleep when I got off work at 6:00 AM. It may sound like a minor problem until you realize that you have been awake for several days.”
Active listening
“Peace officers work with the public on a daily basis and need to be able to engage in a way that serves the public good,” Carlin says. Barging into a situation without forethought will probably do more harm than good. Police officers need to be able to listen to what citizens are saying and really understand what they are getting at (even in stressful circumstances.)
Building relationships in the community is huge for this. “Officers should get out of their patrol cars every hour or two and walk around talking to citizens,” Carlin says. “Or call a victim to let them know how an investigation is going concerning a crime in which they were involved.”
“Some officers will stop at a Little League game to watch for a while,” she adds. “I saw this happen often when police officers’ children are playing in a sport. People love it because it proves the officer is just a regular citizen like them.”
Discernment and discretion
Peace officers often need to make quick decisions. You need a good sense of judgement and keen perception to get to the truth of a situation. Law enforcement officers need to be perceptive and judicious when investigating crimes and handling other aspects of criminal procedures.
Teamwork
As individuals tasked with public safety, peace officers often work closely with judges, prosecutors and other members of the criminal justice system. They also work closely with each other.
Excellent writing skills
New police officers are often surprised at how much writing and documenting the job entails, according to Carlin.
Your writing needs to be quick, clear, concise—and crucially—without errors. Even a small error on a report could cause it to be rejected as evidence in a court case.
Deescalation and nerve
The more intense a situation gets, the more dangerous it is for everyone involved. Peace officers are put the test on a regular basis. They need the ability to stay grounded, no matter the situation, and to help diffuse tense situations.
Public trust and community relations also depend on peace officers’ ability to resolve situations without catastrophe. Studies have found that peace officers who use less force strengthen trust among the communities they serve.5
Career opportunities for peace officers
Peace officers may go by any number of different job titles, such as:
- Constables
- Deputy sheriffs
- Detectives
- Federal agents
- Park rangers
- Police officers
- Prison guards / corrections officers
- Probation officers
- Sheriffs / sheriff's deputies
- State troopers
In addition to working in a police department, peace officers may find opportunities working for the federal courts, prison systems, public parks and in some cases colleges and universities.
Specific careers will vary depending on an agency's needs and a candidate's individual talents. Roles listed are examples and are no guarantee of employment.
Pros and cons of being a peace officer
As a peace officer, you can make a tangible difference every day to the community you serve. This work can be its own reward. If you're looking for a career filled with action, where you get to be out and about among the community, working as a peace officer may be for you.
The job does come with inherent risks, however. Peace officers have the ever-prevent risk of death or injury.
“There are very real dangers present every day on the streets of our cities,” Carlin says.
In addition, the working hours of officers can be difficult to adapt to not just for you, but for your loved ones.
Carlin recommends asking loved ones if they will mind the long hours, time away from family functions, and the danger of the job.
“If not, then there will be problems at home, and that is not good for an officer,” Carlin explains. “Trying to work with difficult people on the street while feeling anxious about a home situation can cause an officer to make mistakes."
Maintaining resiliency as a peace officer
“Knowing how to stay healthy both mentally and physically is the only way an officer can live to someday enjoy their pension,” says Carlin. “In the police academy there is much time and training devoted to this subject.”
Some ways to stay mentally strong include:
Have friends outside of your policing career
“Too often, when a bunch of police officers get together off duty they tend to talk about incidents they responded to,” Carlin says. “This is bad for mental health because you never leave the job behind.”
Even though peace officers know they need relationships and even hobbies outside of the job, it doesn't always come naturally.
“It can be difficult for officers to do,” Carlin says. “They will often come into the department on their days off just to ‘see what is going on.’ This behavior is very unhealthy both mentally and physically.”
Attend a gym
Many departments either offer gym membership discounts or have a gym that officers can use. “Exercise is important because the job of an officer requires them to sit in a vehicle for 12 or 10-hour shifts, which is detrimental to the body,” says Carlin.
Plus, if you suddenly do have to run, you’ll be glad you spent time on the treadmill.
Rely on support
In a career that can often seep into more of your life than is healthy, you might need some options to stay balanced and grounded.
Organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration teach law enforcement officers how to manage health stressors they face on the job.
There are many types of peace officer out there
Peace officers come in all shapes and sizes! To learn a bit more about how the different types of officer work, check out Police Ranks: Breaking Down 8 Different Law Enforcement Positions.
1Police Recruiting: From Non-Sworn Civilian Roles to Sworn Officer Positions: A Pathway to Service, Epic Recruiting. (Accessed 1/21/2026) https://pdrecruiting.com/from-non-sworn-civilian-roles-to-sworn-officer-positions/
2Veronica Rose, February 8, 2010, PEACE OFFICERS, https://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010-R-0042.htm
3POST Requirements by State, (Accessed 1/21/2026) https://postrequirements.com/
4COMPSTAT: ITS ORIGINS, EVOLUTION, AND FUTURE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Police Executive Research Forum (2013), https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/PERF-Compstat.pdf
5Education mandates can reshape the future of policing, Police 1, December 02, 2025, https://www.police1.com/police-training/education-mandates-can-reshape-the-future-of-policing
