if anyone is cop or knows about cops look at my question?

Question

i want to be a cop and i want to know what kind of traing they have to do and how many years of college and how much they pay and stuff like that if any of you know cany you please tell me

Answer 1

Training and pay varies depending on locatoin and type of job. I have some friends making about $9 per hour after going through an academy training and they work in a small sleepy town in the south, where there main job is busting speeders.
I have friends in the cities, they make about 40K/yr, but duties are heavier and more dangerous. They went through about 6 months training.
Find out where you would like to work, then call the police station in that area - they will give you the info. There is a lot of recruitment for this area.
God bless.

Answer 2

Training: Most states require some sort of credentialling, a Police Academy. Several Police Academies only require that you be 21, no felonies, no convictions for drugs or alcohol or spousal abuse. If you go to a college and earn a 2 year or 4 year degree, you may still have to go to a Police Academy for certification. The funny thing is a Felon in the state of Missouri can be elected to Sheriff of a county, but may not carry a firearm.
Pay: Really for the requirement it is not worth it. I have a Criminal Justice Degree and make more money pulling wire as an electrician than I did as a Cop. The stress of the job, domestic situations are the worse. Then your own personal affairs are constantly monitored by a superior so that you remain above reproach in case your called in as a witness you would not be discredited or impeached.
I commend you on your desire to be a police officer. Public Service is a wonderful field, but don't do it for the money. If you do it, love it so you can continue doing it, then the money will come.

Answer 3

Most states require a POST certification, I know here you have to be 20 1/2 years old before you can apply for POST. This is just a basic training course, most departments will put you through a more specific training program for their agency, after being hired.
Try to obtain a college degree in a related field such as criminal justice, psychology or sociology. Some agencies have requirements that if you want to move off of street patrol into investigations or command staff you must have a college degree.
If at all possibly try to learn another language. Keep your record clean, and a good credit history. Try not to do anything that could be considered inappropriate by your hiring agency, most background investigators can find anything and everything.

Answer 4

In Ohio, training consists of about 540 hours academy training. College is not required but is recommended. Also, it is very difficult to find a department or office that will hire someone under the age of 21, although not impossible.
Pay varies greatly, anywhere from maybe $20,000-$50,000 starting salary.
My suggestion would be to contact your local Police department or Sheriff's office and find out if they have an explorer type program. That will be a good way to learn more about what police and Deputies do and is also a good way to get started.

Good luck.

EDIT: JW gave a great answer, and I would agree with about 99% of it. The only thing I can really find fault with, and it is not his fault at all, is the fact that the academy does not train you for every situation. What he meant to say was, The academy does it's best to train you and give you techniques to handle most situations. It is IMPOSSIBLE to teach you and prepare you for every situation imaginable. For example: There is no such thing as a "routine traffic stop."

Answer 5

Good question. That's very noble of you.

I, myself, am on the road toward law enforcement. So, I can tell you a few things about it.

Training: Technically, they train you for everything that you will encounter in the streets. Believe me, they know what they're doing and won't put you on the streets without first preparing you. You'll go through defense training, weapons training; procedural law and enforcement, much instruction of executing an arrest, report making; and much, much more. So, don't sweat this aspect of it. Now, if I could suggest a few tips regarding training: 1) it would behoove you to be in the best physical condition you can achieve, 2) do everything you can to improve your competency in interpersonal interactions as well as improving your intrapersonal skill and, 3) learn basic self-defense through martial arts class and such - it's beneficial.

College: Not necessarily needed, but it will help in getting extra pay. I mean, this is a dangerous job - why not make as much as you can. Well, actually, some jurisdictions require at minimum 20 hrs of college coursework. I think it has to do with the maturity-commitment factor - that somehow by being in college it shows a willing/sacrifice, a determination to succeed.

Pay: Like I said, college helps, but it really depends on which city/county you choose to serve. Do some research and you'll find several different pay scales (and a lot has to do with that city's/county's cost of living). The highest I've seen is NYPD which can start at $40,000.

Answer 6

It depends on the city you are going to be working.
The larger cities have training from 16 - 24 weeks.
Running and physical fitness is a big part of the academy along with the academics of law enforcement.
When taking a polygraph, honesty is a key factor.
Normally you will work with a training officer/s from 12 - 16 weeks.
Most big cities start about 38k to 43k per year.
If you work the late shift they pay a differential (added rate per hour) after 10:00 P.M.
All your court time would be during the day for which you are paid overtime (time and a half).
Off duty jobs pay $25 - $35 per hour.
Most cities have websites you can get specific information from.
Some college is helpful and mandatory in some departments.
Most departments will finance further education upon successful grades. To be promoted, you will need a degree. The higher you want to promote, the greater the education will be required.
Women are needed in the departments. I would encourage you to pursue your desires.
Good luck

Answer 7

How big is your town? You can start out in a small town, not making much money (cops are not paid a lot). Some times they will hire you with no training, or start off in security. Then work your way up, some places will send you to the Polica Academy, and pay for it. I think the Academy can last 6 months-2 years. Just depends. I do know you have to have proper and more training to be state police. Just try a small town cop, then move up to county deputy...they'll let you know all you need.

Answer 8

Well one of the best colleges in the country for criminal justice is in Huntsville Texas. Sam Houston State University. A good thing for a person who wants to go into law enforcement to learn is observation skills and memory games. An observant person with a good memory is going to do well in law enforcement. Typing is a good skill to have and being good with computers is also a help. Most any knowledge you can aquire will be helpful to you in some way in policing. A good background in psychology would be beneficial as would a healthy dose of patience and understanding. You have to be drug free and stay out of trouble. Most agencies, at least here in TX require you to have a high school diploma and the larger agencies want you to have college. The larger agencies pay better also.
As for pay that varies from department to department. In the bigger cities they start at about 40k a year and go up from there...
Good luck. Feel free to send me a reply if you have more questions...

Answer 9

Most progressive police departments require 2 years of college, and the more the better. But many police departments all over the nation are experiencing difficulty finding enough eligible recruits to fill openings, so in reality you should call the training unit of the police department(s) you are most interested in - probably the ones in your community, and ask to get a copy of their police office job requirements. That will be your best source of answers. It wil also answer questions on pay scale, etc.

Answer 10

... i belive many [ not all] people have real good intentions when they join the force... but by they time they leave[ w/their padded pensions] most have become usless or gone bad.... think about how you want to spend your ONLY life..... you are not going to change the system... and it is badly flawed!..... ask your self this why after a 30 yr war on drugs, guns, mafia , gangs, white collar crime... why do these things still exist in such abondance?... not to mention the illegal immigration problem and the unenforcing of speed limits[esspecially distastefull during this gas crises]how did this get so out of hand if law enforcers actually go out and do a days work... hey i'm all for "anarchy" but why pay these guys "NOT" to do their job.... oh i get it thats WHY you WANT to be a cop .... silly me.... believe me i didnt feel like this as a youth... 50 years of bad stories and bad cops!