how do i go about becoming a cop?

Question

do i have to pay or go to college or wht???

Answer 1

It depends on what level of law enforcement you are trying to achieve. If you are looking at the federal level you will need at least a bachelors degree in criminal justice or a degree in a related field that is accepted by the agency you are applying. Without this level of education will not be able to take the next step witch is to sign up for an entry test (some agencies or departments have different tittles for this test). Additionally most federal agencies highly seek bilingual candidates. Usually you can sign up for this test on the agencies’ web site when they are actively recruiting candidates (right now there is a hiring freeze on most federal agencies). The entry test is a written test that determines your overall ability to be able to successfully do the job. The higher you score on the test the better chance you have to be called in, or receive a letter, for the next step. The next step is a PAT test (Physical Agility Test). The PAT test consists of running one and a half miles, push ups and sit ups. The guidelines for this test are based on your age. After you successfully pass the PAT test the next step is a psychological test. The psychological test is another written test, it asks a wide range of questions to determine your mental stability. After the psychological test you will usually have to go over the test with a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will determine on a pass/fail basis whether or not you are mentally capable of performing all of the job functions. If you passed all of the tests this far then you might be called in for an initial interview. The interview usually consists of a five person panel of professionals in the agency or department you are applying for. They will ask you every question imaginable and questions you can’t imagine or prepare for. Sometimes they will video tape the interview for later review. If they liked you during the interview you will either be offered a second interview or you could be offered a conditional job offer. The conditional job offer is typically a chance to go to that agency or department’s academy. Then if you successfully complete the academy you would be hired and “sworn in” to the position. However, the job offer is conditional to the fact that you need to successfully complete the academy. So if you can’t cut it physically, mentally or academically they will drop you and you will not be hired.

As far as state police departments go or in other places known as highway patrol, some jurisdictions consider the sheriffs department as the same level of law enforcement; again you will have to sign up for an entry test. Whether or not you need a degree in higher education depends from department to department. After the test the same steps are basically the same as on the federal level that I mentioned above: PAT test, psychological test, interview(s), conditional offer of employment, academy, and then finally being sworn in.

Now on the local level or in many places know as municipal departments. Some municipalities require the entry test (could be called civil service test) while other municipalities don’t require an entry test. Usually bigger departments require the test while the much smaller departments don’t require it. Whether or not you need a degree in higher education depends on the department. Usually only the bigger departments require a degree. Again after the entry test the process is the same as federal and state: PAT test, psychological test, interview(s), conditional offer of employment, academy, and then finally being sworn in. This whole process can take months even years to finally be an officer on the department or agency. What ever you are trying to achieve you need to do a little research as to what they want and what exactly their process is; law enforcement is a very competitive field.

Also another step in every department or agency during the hiring process is the background investigation. Usually this takes place concurrent to the process after the initial entry test. Investigators will scrutinize every aspect of your life. They will ask questions about you to many people: neighbors, teachers, spouses, friends, family members and employers. They will ask things like “has candidate X every lost their temper.” You need a CLEAN criminal record. Many people think that they can still apply to a law enforcement job if the offense they committed was X number of years ago or the law they broke was only minor in nature. Like I said law enforcement is very competitive. Why would a department higher someone who has a minor infraction over someone who has a clean record. The answer is, they probably won’t. However, there are always exceptions to every rule. It depends on the department and what they allow, and nowadays it isn’t much. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Most departments do not want to go through the cost of sending someone to a police academy, so getting your police certification in the state that you want to work in is pretty important. You can get certified at any college that has a full criminal justice course with a certification after completion of college. Also, most larger departments are looking for their officers to have a minimum of at least an associates degree in criminal justice.

Answer 3

well go take civil service tests, as many as you can, look up academies in your area, and if you can, start taking classes in criminal justice at a college, even a community college. go on ride along, get familiar with departments you might like to work for.

Answer 4

You enroll in a police acadamy probally incorrect spelling but you know what i mean you have access to internet obviously, so just go to www.switchboard.com and look up businesses and look up police acadamies you just have to get so many hours in and then you become a cop, my hubby did it and at the end, they sprayed them all with pepper mace

Answer 5

That depends on what type of cop you want to be. At the minimum you have to have a highschool diploma and you need to apply.

A college education is going to help you move up. There is a ceiling for you if you don't have an undergraduate degree.

Answer 6

dunk n dugouts 4 life

Answer 7

Please do not join the dark side with the police. They have been of a real disservice to me.

Answer 8

apply at the police station and they will tell you