How Do I Become A Police Officer

Each state has its own licensing board so the tests will also vary.

How do i become a police officer. You re not going to walk into your local police station one day hand in a job application then be patrolling the streets within days or even weeks. Instead extensive and specialized training is required. Becoming a police officer doesn t rely heavily on formal education.

To become a police officer you must be a legal resident and at least 18 years old. Getting hired as a police officer usually means you have been vigorously vetted in a multi step process. Law enforcement agencies and police academies alike need to know that you re up for the task and one indicator of this is the ability to earn your diploma.

A high school diploma is almost always required for working as a police officer. Apply to become a police officer. An associate s bachelor s or graduate degree is rarely mandatory.

While this process varies with each police department you can typically expect some combination of the following. In fact a high school diploma is often the minimum formal education required. Programs combine classroom study with.

Once you take and pass the exam your name will be placed on a list to be considered. While different departments and different levels of government have varying standards the process of going from new recruit to full fledged police officer can take 4 6 or 12 months or even longer. Your education and training will prepare you to take the peace officer standards and training post exam.

If you have a driver s license and high school diploma or ged choose a police academy that s conveniently located for you and go through the screening test. Police academy training generally lasts about 12 14 weeks. At the screening you may be asked questions about your judgement ethics and biases.