How to Become a Florida Cop

The recruitment to become a Florida cop is competitive.

To become a police officer in Florida, you need to meet various educational and personal requirements. The Florida Statutes have several qualifications that you have to meet. On top of those, each city may have additional requirements. After completing the initial application, you must go through various examinations, investigations and interviews before you can start the training process and become a sworn officer. The process is competitive and only a small percentage of applicants successfully become cops in Florida.

Instructions

1. Check the local requirements for the specific police department where you want to apply. According to the Florida Statutes, you must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 19 years of age. You must not have been convicted of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. You must never have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces.

2. Get a college degree in criminal justice. While this is not a requirement to become a cop in Florida, a degree helps enhance your chances of getting hired.

3. Contact the police department to obtain an application form. Depending on the police department, you may have to fill out a pre-application form and gain approval before you can complete a full application. You will have to supply personal details and attach various supporting documents, such as school transcripts and proof of U.S. citizenship. You may also have to take various tests and attach the results to your application.

4. Complete the required tests and examinations. These may include polygraph examinations, background investigations, oral interviews, medical examinations, psychological examinations and basic abilities tests.

5. Attend the police academy if selected by the police department. During this period, you are considered a temporary employee and earn a salary. The police department also covers the tuition costs. You will learn about Florida laws and how to handle various crimes. The academy course usually takes about 22 weeks to complete.

6. Complete a field training program. During this period, you become assigned to a field training officer, who evaluates your performance as an officer.

References

• Florida Department of Law Enforcement: Officer Requirements
• City of Orlando: Police Recruiting
• Broward College: Police Academy