How to Be a Police Officer
A career as a police officer is highly rewarding. The job is exciting, pays well (starts at $57k/year), and allows you to serve your community and its people. Keep reading to learn how to become a police officer.
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Instructions
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Keep a clean record.
If you are going to become a police officer, you need to have a clean record. If you have a history with law infractions yourself, you may have more trouble finding employment in law enforcement. If your dream is to be a policeman, stay out of trouble!
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Get a 2 year degree in criminal justice.
Police officers get into the field by a variety paths. Some departments require no schooling, others prefer to hire someone who has a bachelors; most often a criminal justice degree. There is also the option of an ATA (2 years) in criminal justice. Decide how much time you are able to dedicate to become a police officer, and how competitive you will need to be in order to get hired in your area. Starting pay will also likely be higher with additional education. Always check with your local police department to see what they require specifically.
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Attend a police academy training.
Once you find a job with a police department, you will likely attend a police academy from anywhere between 12 weeks and a full year. Be ready to be physically and mentally challenged. The training is rigorous but the reward will make it worthwhile!
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Make sure you have the personality it requires before you start police training.
Being a police officer takes focus, determination, and common sense. Make sure that you are mentally strong enough to handle some of the stresses that police officers encounter on the job. Police officers are often the first ones on the scene of various accidents; make sure you can handle yourself in a calm manner in emergency situations.
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Learn a second language to make yourself more employable in the police force.
To increase your employability when considering a police officer career, learn a second language. Law enforcement professionals encounter a wide range of people on the job, sometimes non-English speaking. Being bilingual makes you more desirable to employers.
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