I wanna become a Cop after high school, please help?

Question

I wanna become a Police Officer after high school , I live in Pa, after I graduate high school , I am going to go to the towns community college , for Criminal Justice for my associates degree, cause of chourse you need to be 21 to enlist in the police academy, so by the time I got my associates degree,I can go to the police academy just in time. If they accept me and I graduate that, what is my chance of being able to accually getting a job as a police officer, I live in Shamokin, Pa.After a few years of that , I wanna become a State Cop, and I also wanna try to become cheif to clean up the town. Any sudgestions? is police accedemy hard?? how much will it cost,and will having a associates higher my chance of getting the job? or are they ussually looking for vetrans now i heard

Answer 1

Many police departments have a minimum education requirement if you are not a veteran of the armed forces. You should be fine if you get an associates degree but double check. Each police department has a recruiting officer so get on their website and get his/her phone number and they should be able to tell you what your chances of getting hired look like. The police recruiters have quotas they have to fill just like the Army recruiters. I interviewed with a police department in NM and they told me as long as I could pass the tests I was basically in because they needed 13 people that summer and nobody had applied. The pay was way too low for me to take the job though.

I have no idea how big Shamokin is and I am guessing it is fairly small since I have never heard of it. Don't exclude working for a larger police department in another state if you have to. Normally, larger police departments have the budgets to hire newbies whereas a smaller department can't afford to send you to an academy. Your chances of getting hired depend on many factors but as long as you are a good candidate (i.e. smart, in shape, and not a criminal) your only problem will be finding someone to hire you. You may not get to work for your first pick but maybe your 2nd or 3rd picks are hiring when you put in an application.

Look all over the US!!! Certain police departments are routinely handing out big bonuses if you sign on with them. Right now Dallas is giving $10,000 just for making it through the academy and your probation period. Plus virtually all police departments will help you make arrangements if you are flying in from out of town.

I am a veteran myself and many of the cops I have met have military experience. It is very desirable and it gets you extra points on your tests but it is not mandatory. The police want to hire people who are going to make it through the academy. They have to spend a bunch of money to put you through the Academy and if you fail out they lose a bunch of money. Military experience helps them feel good about hiring you since you are already disciplined and you have already proved you can make it through basic training, so why not the Academy?

Good Luck, and don't hesitate to walk into the police department and introduce yourself. If they already know who you are when you drop your application they will be more inclined to help a guy they already know opposed to some guy who just mailed in an application. Plus they have programs for people under 21 which will help your chances a lot!

Answer 2

My first thought is that you get a four year degree, and possibly go into an ROTC program. Yes the academy is difficult, but if it wasn't it wouldn't mean anything. As to cost, it may be paid by the municipality that hires you. You can also look into the federal police services, you might want those after you get your degree.

Answer 3

Requirements to become a police officer vary and how you become a police officer varies depending on the state and the department. How you become a police officer depends on the state and the department. Visit the websites of the police departments that you might want to work for. Police department websites often provide information about their applicant requirements, about how to apply, and about their hiring process. Getting police officer jobs is becoming more and more competitive. Do whatever you can to make yourself the best candidate that you can. For example, get a college degree if you don't have one. Consider online classes with an accredited school. Getting a college degree is one of the best things that you can do if you want to become a police officer. Many police departments require or prefer applicants with college. Many applicants have college. Don't do anything illegal. Maintain a good reputation. Keep a good driving record. Don't get bad credit. Improve all of your communication skills as much as possible. Practice to improve your observation and memory skills. Become as physically fit as you can. See http://www.peaceofficerjobs.com

Answer 4

Good on you. It is an honorable, albeit low paid no glory profession. But, my friend, the stats are not on your side. Of folks who apply only one in one hundred finally complete the process and only one in five are around after five years. So you thought the green berets were tough did ya.
Most agency's have reserve units. These are men and women who assist commissioned officers in their duties. Some have full police powers others do not. Some are pure voluntary with no compensation while others are equipped and paid. Find one of these, join it and see if it is really a profession for you.
An associates degree in law enforcement is good for only that. What if you have a physical disability that your not aware of that prevents you from passing the physical ?
I speak with some experience, I'm a 30 year veteran of city policing now retired. There is no glory, fame or fortune in this profession, dont expect any. There is no way to measure the self satisfaction and knowing that you in your way made a difference. Good luck and God speed.

Answer 5

Many police departments require that you have the equivalent of an associates degree. I would check with the police department's web site, or even call them, to find what the requirements are so that you can plan your future.

Answer 6

Sign in to the Police academy after your done with your education.

Answer 7

sounds like you dont need much help. start getting your face famillierized with departments you would like to work for. go on ride alongs and see if there is an aux. in the dept you can work on.
thats a good idea getting the assoc. degree

Answer 8

hm.. i don't know. i thought u need a college degree to be a police officer.

Answer 9

hahahahaha setting your standards a little low dontchya think