How do I get to be a police officer?

Question

I'd like to be a police officer. What do I have to do to get my foot in the door? I've heard stuff about police academy and things like that but I'm not sure how to get started, or how much training and such might cost me. I mean do I just walk in and put in an application like a local McDonalds or what?

Answer 1

Not all towns and cities are the same. Check with your local town hall for information. Some towns require a college degree, some do not. Some give preference to ex-military etc. They are usually civil service jobs and as such all you need is to meet the basic requirement like age, height, weight, education level etc. and be able to pass a physical fitness test and a written test to get on the waiting list. Look for larger cities. I know New York City is constantly advertising for more cops.

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Answer 2

Depends on the state/agency you're looking at....

1. Some agencies don't require any college, some do. Check with the individual agency for their requirements. Most states require completion of an academy, which is NOT college. In California, the academies generally run for about 26 weeks ( 5-6 days/week). Some, like the CHP academy, require you to live there the entire time.

2. Fill out and turn in an application at whatever agencies you're interested in. If you have a felony conviction, forget it. You won't get past the front door.

3. You'll go through testing (written, oral, physical agility, medical, psychological, background investigations, and polygraph testing) - once you pass ALL of those, you'll be accepted for the academy. Assuming you graduate, you'll be assigned to some form of training/probation before you're on your own. The academy+field training time runs up to about 1000+ hours.

At least, that's how it is in CA, OR and WA - probably most other states, also.

California Deputy

Answer 3

School,training and tell fill out apps and take the req test for each dept. There will always be competition you will have a better chance in an urban setting such as a ghetto

gl I want to be one but gf won't let me :(

Answer 4

First you need some college classes, an associates degree (2 yrs) is plenty. Then you take a state exam, and once you pass that you are a certified peace officer, but that doesn't mean you can enforce anything until you actually have been hired. Once you have your certification, be sure you are in shape because part of your interview process is a physical test (like an obstacle coarse).

Answer 5

Applications for the Police Department are usually listed in the newspaper under employment. You could also check with City Hall to find out exactly what the requirements are.

Answer 6

College

Answer 7

Hang out in bars.. get drunk and drive, beat your wife, close your mind to kind words, walk around like your sh i t don't stink.. have an answer for everything even if you have no clue, break every law and say it's your right,and brag about how you can beat up innocent people and not be charged. Thats a good start..

Sorry have NO RESPECT for police officers and this is what you have gained by forgetting that you are there for a reason and not your own ego's...

I apologise to the good officers out there ( there are a few good ones) but blame your brothers for the public opinion.. It was earned.

Answer 8

Go talk to your local PD and find out just exactly what the requirements are. Some departsments you need to be sponsered by, and in turn they will put you through the acadmey----others you will need to have your degree in Criminology before applying. It is best to get your degree in Criminology these days then apply.

Answer 9

For many you will have to take the a state law enforcemnet entrance exam and put in an application.

Most of the applications can be found online.
But yes, you sorta just walk in and apply to many

Answer 10

If you want to be an officer, you would have to join the academy for a couple months and once you graduate, you can be hired.