What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Police Officer?

Departments often require police officer applicants to be 21 years old.

Reality TV shows provide a glimpse of the police officer's world, depicting encounters with drug users, domestic violence victims, reckless drivers and robbery suspects. More than 880,000 Americans worked as police officers and detectives in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you want to join their ranks, consider the necessary qualifications.

Education

To get a job in most law enforcement agencies, you will need at least a high school diploma. Some departments require previous college education and may allow applicants to use a combination of active military experience and a high school diploma to meet their requirements. Federal agencies require a four-year college degree or a combination of college education and related work experience, according to the BLS. Past coursework may need to meet grade-point average minimums.

Personal Qualifications

Police officer candidates must be U.S. citizens. Departments often require a minimum age of 21 and some establish a maximum age. Applicants must also meet certain criteria for vision and hearing and have a record free from felony convictions. In some cases, misdemeanor convictions may disqualify some from consideration. Applicants need a valid driver's license and should expect potential employers to review their driving records.

Testing

Many departments conduct pre-employment testing of police officer applicants. A physical fitness evaluation may include pushups, sit-ups, a sprint, weightlifting, flexibility exercises and a distance run. Applicants may need to meet complete tasks in a defined time period. The Baltimore Police Department requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to handle and control a pistol with each hand. In some cities, applicants take a civil service test to qualify for police work. Other departments administer an agency entrance exam and require applicants to achieve a minimum score. The Denver Police Department also gives applicants a video test in which they watch recorded scenarios and choose the best of four responses to each situation. As applicants move through the hiring process, they may also need to pass a polygraph test, medical evaluation, drug screening, background check and psychological evaluations.

Training

Applicants who get hired after passing the battery of tests and investigations then move on to a lengthy training process that may last more than six months. Recruit training may take place in a residential setting, with academy participants staying in a dormitory throughout the week. Police recruits receive training in driving techniques, water safety, firearms use and self defense. Criminal, juvenile, traffic and civil law are also areas of focus. Instructors use both classroom and hands-on teaching techniques, and recruits must pass written and practical tests to complete the academy. The curriculum also involves rigorous physical training.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
• City of Corpus Christi: Employment/Recruitment
• Nashville.gov: Becoming A Police Officer In Nashville
• Denver: Employment --- Denver Police Officer
• Baltimore Police Department: Physical Requirements
• The State Of New Jersey: New Jersey State Police Academy