: Broadly, they are professionals responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and investigating violations.

: As outlined in many codes of ethics, a peace officer's core mission is to safeguard lives and property, protect the innocent from deception, and ensure the Constitutional rights of all to liberty and justice.

Effective peace officers are characterized by several key professional and personal attributes: Peace Officer Candidate Selection Process - POST

: Modern training often emphasizes the "guardian" mindset, where officers are seen as partners in the community rather than just external enforcers. Core Traits and Requirements