Commissioned Police Officer
What the work is
Provides high level management to support the running of a geographical or operational section of a police service.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Develops and establishes administrative and operational procedures, taking into consideration the organisation's operational environment
- Makes policy decisions and accepts responsibility for operations, performance of staff, achievement of targets, and adherence to budgets, standards and procedures
- Investigates and resolves complex issues and complaints
- Establishes line of control, delegates responsibilities, and provides guidance and support to subordinate staff
- Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, such as community groups and other law enforcement agencies
- Represents the police service in dealings with other organisations, stakeholders and the public
- Prepares budgets, reports and other management plans
- Implements changes based on law enforcement developments
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a fictional district headquarters of an emergency fire service, where an officer leads several stations and volunteer brigades. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A season of preparation pays off and your crews finish a hard day safe and proud
- A station captain you mentored takes on a bigger role with confidence
- A community meeting ends with residents saying they feel ready, not scared
Hard days
- A day of extreme conditions, with every decision about where to place crews watched by many people
- Tired volunteers who have given a lot and are being asked for more
- Deciding between two stations that both need the same new equipment
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 149233, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.