i want to become a police officer but i have some questions please help?

Question

if i get an associates degree in criminal justice is that a good decision? how do i apply to become an officer? do you have to have normal color vision? can i join a police academy for training before i apply for a job? how hard is it to get a job as an officer? also i have suffered 2 knee injuries they weren't severe but if i wear a knee brace i own my knee is perfectly fine and it does not affect me at all i would be able to perform all tasks asked of me it is a normal brace not nothing big and bulky would that be a problem? all other advice and information woul be appreciated.

Answer 1

An associates degree in CJ is good, as is one in English or Business. Try to develop your English and writing skills.
You need to check with the individual department as far as the application and testing process.
Some Departments require that you have already attended an academy and are certified, others have their own academies and will train you.
You do need to have red/green color vision. Some departments say in one eye is OK, some require it uncorrected in both eyes.
As far as difficulty, you will have to pass a background check, drug screening, & possibly a polygraph. You cannot have any felony convictions, and some misdemeanors are also a disqualifier.
The knee brace may be a problem. Police work is extremely physical. You will have to pass a physical agility test, and will be screened physically as well. Again, check with the Departments you are interested in.
I had a probationer with the same problem who managed to hide it all through the Academy and through his probation. But he went through a lot of pain to get the job.

Answer 2

An associates degree in CJ is good, but an associates degree in Criminology is even better. It will open more doors for you even when you decide to go for your bachelors. Try getting another degree in Business, or CJ administration.

Are you coming straight out of high school? Just asking because you asked if it is a good decision to get your associates degree in CJ. I am assuming that you do not yet have a degree. But it is a good start.

Visit your local police agency and inquire information from their personnel department. Or simply ask to speak with a local police officer in that agency and have him or her explain to you the details in becoming an officer.

Make sure you have a clean background! Good credit, Diploma, in good health, no use of drugs or alcohol in your system.

Each State, and agency are different, so ask the police department of your choice all the questions you need to know about becoming a cop.

Get your degree first, then after graduation, apply for the police academy, as well as for a police department, see if they will sponsor you..if so, they may pay for your trainning at the academy.

I do not know how old you are, but if you are between 14 and 19 yrs old, why not become a police explorer. As a cadet, you will be introduced to the life of a police officer and their duties on the street and in the department. They sponsor their prospects, and after their graduation ceremony, they enter the academy and then join the police department where they were explorers.

Ask an Officer who is off duty, or one that could afford some time to spare to assist you with your questions. Write a list of all the questions you would like to ask...ask about school, the academy, trainning, promotions, positions of interest, retirement, part-time work after retirement...I am pretty sure the officer will be more than happy to assist you with your inquiries..

Good luck in your career...

Answer 3

Different states different rules, different departments different policies.
Examples. In Illinois you do not attend a police academy until hired by a government entity. In Texas and Florida many attend a police academy and get their state certification first. Some of the bigger cities in those states do not require certification first.
Getting a criminal justice AA will not hurt but it likely will not help in getting a job. Most departments that require college will accept any degree. If they require 2 years they want 60 semester hours. I if they want 4 years they want 120 semester hours or equivalent. Most, but not all, especially affluent suburbs, will waive the school for military service.
Your knee could be a major problem. I am unsure what you mean by a brace. If you just use a neoprene type for support and can get a medical clearance (usually not from your doctor but from the department approved doctor) you will be OK. They do look at your past medical records. If it is a needed custom job I truly doubt most larger departments would let you on.
A decent site for looking at what is currently available and the qualifications needed is officer.com.
If you are willing to move around the country for a job you may be able to become a police officer somewhere.
Even with some departments lowering their standards because of shortages nationwide only 15% of the people who apply become officers. The application process can take over a year in some cases and that is when they are hiring.

Answer 4

That degree is a very good decision. Not a clue how you apply because you didn't say where you live. Different forces have different procedures. Yes, you do need normal colour vision. After you get hired, they will assign you to a police academy. If you're a white male, it will be extremely difficult to get a job as a police officer. Most departments now are looking for minorities and women. The brace may be a problem, though. Check with whichever department you're looking to get into. Good luck.

Answer 5

It's generally not an either or... If the department requires a college degree, military experience is not a substitute. My husband is a police officer. The department didn't (and still doesn't) require a college degree. My husband had served in the military but that wasn't a requirement, either. It really depends on where you apply. A small rural department will have fewer requirements than a department in a large city.

Answer 6

1) AN ASSOCIATES IS A STARTER, BA AND MASTERS OBTAIN BY THE TIME YOUR PEER GROUPS ARE TO BE PROMOTED.

2) APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUR CHOICE. SOME HAVE OPEN DATES AND TESTS SOME KEEP ON FILE.

3) DEPENDS ON DEPT-SOME ALLOW FOR LENSES OR CONTACTS SOME DO NOT?

4) SOME WILL TAKE YOU ON AS A CADET. OTHERS AS A RESERVE OFFICER?

5) KNEES. YOU WILL BE TALKING TO SOMEBODY WHO IS LOOKING TO GET 30 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM YOU. I HAD A FOOTBALL AND A SOCCER INJURY TO BOTH KNEES AND WORE A BRACE ONLY WHEN NEEDED. WENT THOUGH ACADEMY WITHOUT BRACES AND WORE USUALLY WHEN BOWLING IN A TOURNAMENT OF 12 GAMES OR MORE.

IF KNEES ARE WEAK, WORK ON DOING LEG RAISES AND STRENGTHEN THE CARTILAGE MUSCLES.

Answer 7

Need a clean criminal record, driving record, and you should apply to your local police academy. Knee injuries have to be tested by Police Dr as they do a very indepth backround check including interviewing teachers, employers ect.

Answer 8

I would not chance aggravating your injury further. Nor would I take the chance of hiding it only to be discovered later and not being able to receive compensation if it was injured again. Consider a Law or Medical degree you will spend more time in school, But you will make more money and still get satisfaction from the job and respect from the community.
Cheers

Answer 9

police officer questions

Answer 10

ur education is good!
to apply as an officer, depends what state ure in but generally you apply for the city and take the cvil srvce exam. if u pass, u go from there with the rest of the process. county deputy ? you may have to work in their jail for a while before u become a peace officer.
u can go to an academy on ur own. yes. i did that. been officer 7 yrs now. that way u saved the department lots of money. ur medical status sounds ok from wat i read. go ahead, join us!!