It is a police officer’s duty to maintain the peace and to enforce the law, and there are specific requirements to become a police officer that you must meet before being granted to title. If you have always dreamed of being a police officer, or you just recently decided that this is the best career path to travel down, you may be interested in learning the employment qualifications you must meet before you can apply to join the academy. The requirements of law enforcement officers and criminal justice professionals in each city or region can vary. Knowing the prerequisites and which qualifications will help boost your application can help you reach the training academy.
General Prerequisites to Become a Police Officer
All police departments will require applicants to be a U.S. citizen to apply for an entry-level law enforcement position. In addition to this general requirement, you must have a high degree or equivalent that is verifiable. Some departments have age requirements as well, where applicants must be at least 18 or 21 to apply. You will also need a valid driver license in your state and a clean driving record to be considered for the academy. If your record is not clean, you may need to wait until violations fall off before you can submit an application.
Strengthening Your Application With a College Background
While a high school diploma is required by all departments, some are now requiring you to have some college credits completed. If this is not a requirement in your area, completing an Associate or Bachelor degree program majoring in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice can only help give you leverage as you go through recruitment. It can take two to four years of full-time study to earn a degree, so starting fresh out of high school is ideal. If you have some classes under your belt, you may want to study as you start the application process.
Completing Medical and Physical Exams
If your application gets past the initial recruiters and you are selected to complete exams, you must show that you are fit for the job. To show that you can meet strict physical prerequisites by passing tests on speed, endurance and strength. You must all pass a medical, vision, hearing and personality test. If you are successful, the department will run an extensive background check on you to ensure that you are a good match for a job. Not all charges will disqualify you, but some charges on your criminal record will. It is very important to be as honest as possible and disclose all information that is asked for when you are filling out your background check form.
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If you pass all of these requirements, you will be selected to enter into the intense police academy program. This training program lasts about three to four months, and will teach you the law and hands-on training. You will learn what you need to know to pass your exam and also to prepare for active duty. The demand for police officers is at 5 percent at a national level, but much higher in some areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Be sure to consider what will strengthen your resume when you are preparing to apply, and keep all of the requirements to become a police officer in your mind.