And, regardless of where they work or what they do, police officers, detectives and special agents must spend considerable time writing reports and maintaining records that are needed when legal actions require them to testify in court. Police officers who work in small communities and rural areas have general law enforcement duties. In the course of a day's work, they may direct traffic at the scene of a fire, investigate a burglary or give first aid to an accident victim. In large police departments, officers are usually assigned to a specific type of duty. Most officers are detailed to patrol a designated area to prevent crime.
Patrols generally cover an area such as business districts or outlying residential neighborhoods.
Officers may work alone, but in large agencies they usually patrol with a partner. They attempt to become thoroughly familiar with conditions throughout their patrol area and while on patrol, remain alert for anything unusual. Suspicious circumstances, such as open windows or lights in vacant buildings, as well as hazards to public safety are noted. They identify, pursue and arrest suspected criminals, resolve problems within the community and enforce traffic laws. Some police officers specialize and become experts in chemical and microscopic analysis, firearms identification, handwriting and fingerprint identification.