Whats the best way to get into the police force?

Question

Hey, I've always wanted to join the police for years but im not sure how and what I need to be like to get in....
I know you should be fit but what else? Have you got any tips I could use to help me get into the police and to help me get ready to join them too... Thanks x

Answer 1

The first stage is to check that the force you want to join is actually recruiting at the moment.(check their websites) Then the next stage is to get an application form and take great care in filling it in as lots of people get them thrown in the bin at this first stage.There are then a series of selection procedures such as the Police written tests (maths, English etc), Role play (where you go into rooms and act out various situations and you are assessed on how well you deal ), interview, and physical tests.If you pass all these then you go on to the actual police training course.
To be a good police officer they like to see that you can think on your feet, keep calm in a tough situation, are fair and compassionate but firm,and not prejudiced or racist. You must also be very very dedicated as sometimes you are asked to work long hours and there are no "weekends", and you must be able to cope with paperwork until it comes out of your ears . Being a Police officer is a very interesting, varied and rewarding job and I wish you luck for the future.
It took my daughter one year to go through the entire process before she got to the Training school( by the way there are no training schools now it is all done from headquarters like a GNVQ) but someone who got rejected on the interview had to wait a further year to re apply.... he then got accepted. NEVER give up if you stumble at any stage. Also the person who said her friend gave up because she was asked to work in her own area was just being tested out to see if she would refuse. They are looking for people who will stand their ground and do what they believe is correct.She should have stated her reasons and they would have respected that . They don't allocate the station until you have done all the training and even then the work they give you varies all the time.

Answer 2

Think Little Weed sums up very well. All I would add is that my cousin applied last year and you should be aware that it is a very long process (I think at least 6 months). Also during this process your friends may and your family WILL be interviewed as part of suitability testing. My cousin made it all the way through then decided to back out when at a late stage they suggested that she ran the beat of her local area (pre being employed) and wrote down anything suspicious she saw - ie grassed on her friends and neighbours, made her family a target, etc. If this doesn't put you off, then ensure your fitness is good and work your way through the application form carefully.
PS if you are ethnic or a woman then you will have a much better chance of getting in as they have quotas to meet; I have a male friend who has been told not to bother submitting applications in his area as they need to get their quotas up before they can take on any white men... I'm not being flippant or cynical here, just letting you know.

Answer 3

Varies from place to place. Minnesota requires a 2 year degree and 6 month of law enforcement skills training. Then it depends on departments. Some still have academies. Minneapolis, St. Paul and the State Patrol I know have them. I believe all departments then have a probationary period where you are with an FTO (Field Training Officer) Where you are taught by a senior officer how to do the job and handle the situations in real life. These are generally set into phases and the FTOs decide if you go on to the next phase or not. You will slowly gain more responsibilities with the FTO. In order for my brother to graduate from the FTO training, the last 2 weeks, his FTO was in civilian clothes and my brother handled EVERYTHING unless it was a dangerous situation in which case the FTO would step in. People think its easy to do, but in reality it isn't.

Answer 4

I would suggest you get a bit of life experience, perhaps in other jobs, which will help you gain knowledge of other people. You don't mention how old you are. Though most Police Forces accept from 21 (even 18), you can't command the respect from the public at that age. I wouldn't recommend applying until you are 25. Depending on the career path you wish to take, a degree in economics or psychology(criminal) wouldn't go amiss, and could help you get on the 'fast track' scheme many forces operate.

Good luck - it's a very worthwhile job - and totally ignore the pondlife, who've only answered to steal 2 points.

Answer 5

Most pd's require you to complete training at an academy or school or have a college degree in law enforcement ...then it helps to know someone in the field who would "help out a buddy" and put in a good word!

Answer 6

go on the web site (your local force web site) & read the conditions you need to fill e.g eyesite, fitness etc. If you meet all the criteria then fill in an application. Good Luck x

Answer 7

No police record is a good start

Answer 8

You need to be intelligent, numerate, literate, have a decent all round education, no criminal record and having done the job I would say you have to be out of your mind.

Answer 9

Most Force's now take bribes,find a bent cop and bingo.

Answer 10

you need to have a height requirement, and you also need to pass the exam, you can get in if you wear glasses too!