Police officers perform many tasks, the first of which is to protect life and property through enforcement of laws and regulations, and respond to calls for police service.
- The police conduct preliminary investigation and follow-up of criminal and traffic incidents, and conduct interviews.
- They secure a crime scene, and isolate the scene of a traffic accident so that it can be worked by emergency personnel.
- They direct traffic when an accident, bad weather or other cause puts traffic lights out of service.
- Police investigate and process missing persons reports, publicize the disappearance in the media, and set up tip lines for the public to use to report any information they may have.
- The police may ask witnesses to work with a sketch artist who will create an illustration of a suspect. This, along with physical characteristics and any other information the witness can provide will be made public in the media, with the police following up on new leads and credible information.
- Officers create written reports of all activity on their shifts.
- Police arrest and process suspects.
- Police can conduct interrogations, and testify in criminal court.
- The police maintain public safety and protection, especially when events are changing very rapidly, as with a man-made or natural disaster.
