What are the REAL requirements for becoming a police officer?

Question

I'm a female who lives in Phoenix, Az and when I turn 21 I want to be a police officer. I know that a HS diploma or GED is the only thing they say they require, but I have read that unless you are at least 25 or so you would need a university degree. Is this true? Can anyone that became a cop at a young age share their experience?

Answer 1

Many years ago I called a police department I wanted to join to find out their requirements. The first question the Assist Chief asked me was, "How tall are you?" When I told him I was 5'10", he informed me I was too short, they did not hire anyone under six foot. Did not matter that I had a degree and experience, I was too short!

Hiring requirements have, thankfully, changed for the better. While many departments will accept applications from HS grads, it's the college degree that gets you hired. Phoenix has a good criminal justice degree program; at least get the two year degree.

A friend of mine and I started our police careers with High School and Army MP experience. I went to night school and eventually worked my way to a master's degree. My friend did not. I retired a few years ago as the Chief of a medium sized department. My friend retired a couple years ago from the original department as a Senior Officer. Every promotion he lost out on went to a college grad.

Answer 2

Requirements to become a police officer vary and how you become a police officer varies depending on the police department. Visit the websites of the police departments that you might be interested in. Police department websites often provide general information about the department and information about their applicant requirements, about how to apply, and about their hiring process. Department websites also sometimes provide officer salary information. Some relatively common minimum requirements include having at least a high school diploma or ged, being a citizen, being at least 21 years old, having a valid driver's license, and having no felony convictions. Some relatively common steps in hiring processes include application, written test, physical fitness test, interview, drug test, medical examination, and background investigation.

Answer 3

The more education based qualifications you have, the better off you are. I found as my career progressed in law enforcement, the people who had paper credentials like a B.S. or B.A. degree or higher had an advantage over the officers who were just good cops and didn't further their education.
I would strongly recommend getting at least an associate's degree. Some departments won't even accept an application unless you have 45 hours of college or military experience. This is even if you have years of experience as a police officer.
Where my sister works as a police officer, they discourage people from getting Administration of Justice degrees as they have found these graduates tend to be narrow minded and inflexible.
Education is your key to a better future in law enforcement.

Answer 4

Most large departments have high expectations and because of the sometimes large selection pool they can keep the expectations high. Most small city or county agencies generally tend to have lower standards. For small agencies the important requirments are be at least 21 years old, have a high school diaploma or GED, no felony convictions, able to pass written and physical test, polygraph (some places), and willing to work long hours for little pay.

Answer 5

No, I believe it takes more than just a GED or HS diploma to become a cop. I've heard it takes some criminal courses along with training at your closest police academy b4 you're put on the streets.

Answer 6

As a social observation, I think that a police officer needs University degree but neither in police , not in law.I think that it would be perfect if the police officer has a university degree in a university of Arts or Humanities.Why only we from Arts and humaniteis must here the people crying and their wishes ?Since they want to make legal the prostitution and the homosexuality(who were among the only ones who got killed with stones in Old Testament , but they are forbidden by God through Jesus Christ, as all the people are forgiven because we all are sinners , and many sinners kills something e'g cheating kills a soul and only God can make the soul stand up again), I think that a police officer could have the only possible job in traffic , and as a bodyguards for kids.(some kids are stolen).

Answer 7

The thing is if you are truly honest and wants to help people then this is the job for you;the other would be social worker;Anyway I personally think it's not true about being 25 to join...
Good luck and God bless!!Do a good turn and sooner or later you will be appeicate.Amen!

Answer 8

Meeting the minimum qualifications typically will not get you hired. Generally there are more applicants than positions so they will choose the person who appears to be better qualified.

Military experience, college education etc - are things that will give you an edge over the other applicants.

Answer 9

My father actually joined the border patrol here in arizona for several years before getting onto the Phx PD. That was long ago but I know it gave him a leg up in getting onto the force.

Good Luck!
And follow your dreams I am living proof you can achieve them...BEEFCAKE BEEFCAAAKE!

Answer 10

you can go to a smaller town with what you have...most larger forces require advanced training of some kind...college,military,reserve officer time etc...good luck