How to Become a Police Officer in Arkadelphia, Arkansas

Becoming a patrol officer in Arkadelphia takes some preparation.

The Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Police Department runs four shifts with three patrol officers on each shift, according to the City of Arkadelphia website. Turnover doesn't happen often in departments this small, so you want to be the best candidate when a vacancy becomes available because it could be years before another opportunity comes along. It's wise to prepare mentally and physically, and it can't hurt to get acquainted with the chief and some of the officers in the department.

Things You'll Need

• Arkadelphia Police application form

Instructions

1. Complete your education. The minimum requirement for a police officer in Arkadelphia is a high school education or general equivalency diploma (GED), though there are officers within the department with college degrees. It's not uncommon for police officers to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice before they apply for jobs at an agency. The Arkadelphia Police Department has a student resource officer in the Arkadelphia middle school and at the high school. Students who are interested in a police career with the local police department can shadow the officer working in the school and make arrangements for ride alongs with patrol officers.

2. Complete an Arkadelphia Police Department application. Arkansas state civil service laws allow municipalities to use standardized tests in the selection process, but as of May 2010, the City of Arkadelphia does not require police officer candidates to complete the test. Candidates must be over 18 years old.

3. Stay physically fit and complete the required state-level training. Successful candidates must complete a 13-week training program at Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) in Camden, Arkansas. Candidates must complete a physical before beginning training. According to ALETA, candidates need "a good level of fitness before arriving." Candidates will be asked to perform as many sit-ups as they can in one minute, as many push-ups as they can in one minute, and will be timed on their ability to run 1.5 miles. ALETA's website does not state numerical benchmarks for these activities, but states a candidate must perform physical training "to the best of his/her physical ability."

References

• City of Arkadelphia: Arkadelphia Police Department
• Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy: Physical training form