Police officers work in areas from densely populated urban areas to remote rural regions, and everywhere in between. Each area provides its own particular challenges and requires officers to have specific skills. They also spend time in police stations, writing reports and maintaining records that may be needed in order to press charges and prosecute criminals in court. They carry firearms and may have to wear protective clothing such as bulletproof vests. Most police officers work 8 hours a day for 5 days each week, while other forces have their officers work 10 hours a day for 4 days each week.
Police work must be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.