Police and detectives pursue and
apprehend individuals who break the law and then issue citations or give
warnings. A large proportion of their time is spent writing reports and
maintaining records of incidents they encounter. Most police officers patrol
their jurisdictions and investigate any suspicious activity they notice.
They also respond to calls from individuals. Detectives, who often are
called agents or special agents, perform investigative duties such as
gathering facts and collecting evidence.
The daily activities of police and
detectives vary with their occupational specialty—such as police officer,
game warden, or detective—and whether they are working for a local, State,
or Federal agency. Duties also differ substantially among various Federal
agencies, which enforce different aspects of the law. Regardless of job
duties or location, police officers and detectives at all levels must write
reports and maintain meticulous records that will be needed if they testify
in court.
