I'm 20 years old, 5'4, and weigh 150 pounds. Do you think I could be a police officer? Oh, and I'm a woman.

Question

Not that being a woman matters, but do you think the cops would hire me? I live in a small town with only one female cop.

Answer 1

Most police forces require that you have a degree now, but you have to check with the town yoy are interested in. Then you will have to take a writen test. You will get ranked with everyone else that takes the test. Next you will be required to pass a physical test andthis will be included to your ranking in someplaces. Now they will require a background investigation in which all forces are different on whatthey might reject for. They all ask about drug usage, if you have used and there is absolutely no record of you doing so I suggest you lie and say you never touched drugs. Many forces give you a psychology test also. I would look on teh internet for study guides on how to score better on these tests, everyone else will be doing so. You have to scorehigh to even get considered. I am a federal agent and took many tests, I was offered spots on 3 different forces including the Border Patrol where I am now, I scored inthe high 90s on each..I only had an 87 in NJ and there was no way with a score that low I would get a job.
I will be honest at 5'4" 150 lbs that sounds like you will have trouble with teh running and the obstacle courses b/c that is a little heavy for your size, now it is fine as far as I am concerned and dont take offense. There are alot of police forces on the internet with opening for you, and most hsave a list of the physicla requirements, I know both NYPD and LAPD do, as does the Border Patrol..look at the standards and see if you can come close to them, if so by the end of any academy you will be good.
You have until you are 37 to get on a force I suggest starting to run, take college courses if you doint have a degree..and apply to as many police departments as you can find, and one will become available to u

Answer 2

Guru, First you have to be 21 to become a law enforcement officer (LEO) because you have to be that age to carry a hand gun. An obvious point a couple of the so-called LEO's failed to point out when giving you advise. Given that there isn't any reason why you shouldn't become an LEO somewhere. Not all departments require a degree. I have a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice but decided to join the army as a 2LT instead. Yes, you will need to get in good physical shape, just check with the department requirements and exceed them.

Also, I wouldn't pay too much attention to what Daniel K has to say about controlling the population. He's probably been arrested a few times and I'd bet next time he needs help from a cop...I doubt he'll turn down their assistance.

And as for vincenzo445 I bet at best he's rent-a -cop & cop want to be. Why? Based on his grammar, spelling and sentance structure the federal agencies I'm familiar with would tear them up and sent him to remedial English classes.Aslo, the BS about lying about any history of drug use; two things you need to now. First, he has or is currently using drugs and two, all police agencies and especially federal law enorcement agencies REQUIRE all their agents to take an initial lie detector test and sporadic ones through out their tenure. Good Luck

Answer 3

Either go online or go to different police stations and get their hiring information. Most states require that you be 21 years old and have at least a high school diploma or GED.

Additionally, they have physical requirements. You will have to pass a physical test that requires things like being able to run 1.5 miles in 16 minutes or less, vertical jump of 16 inches, etc, etc.

I think you should do some more research on the actual requirements. Not to mention, you could possibly be competing with people who have college degrees and/or a military background. Do you have any of these? And, you will have to pass a written exam.

I don't know what state you are from, so I can't offer you many more specifics, but I don't think your chances have anything to do with your being a woman. It has to do with whether you can pass the written and physical to even get to the interview phase.

Answer 4

The only part of the information that you provided whou be your weight.. and not so much your weight, as your BMI would. BMI is your Body Mass Index. How much body fat you have on you. You will have to take a physical and they will determine that for you. I came from a very small town, but lets face it there aren't towns like Green Acres anymore... there are rules and regulations that govern over the hiring process. However, I would suggest venturing out of your small town... just so you can see that there is a bigger world out there and learn more. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Yes, I think you could be a police officer. Now, whether or not you will be a good police officer is unlikely. In my opinion, women cannot do the job as good as men can. But I think it is possible for you to be hired so long as you go through the academy and meet the requirements for your department.

Answer 6

if you are in the city yes, they will take anyone, they never think there is enough cops, but really why would you want to be.....police officers duty is supposed to be to protect and serve, but you know that's not what they are here for anymore, they are here to control the population, why would you want to be a part of that, if you do end up being a police officer please don't let them corrupt you, and remember innocent until proven guilty, NOT guilty until proven innocent, most cops don't understand that,

Answer 7

yes. I'm from a town where two girls are cops and the rest are Intimidated guys. so yes they will hire you. If you can pass the test, pass the work out drills, do paper work, Run, than you are in good shape. Where are you from?

Answer 8

Try out to be a state cop. They pay better and have better benefits.

Answer 9

you can do anything you put your mind to.. :)