How To Become A Police Officer
A career in the police force offers a healthy salary and plenty of opportunity for progression, but, equally, it regularly demands anti-social hours and is a potentially stressful profession.
As the Institute For Apprenticeships says:
‘Being a police constable * is a physically and intellectually demanding occupation, requiring high levels of emotional intelligence, strong behavioural interpretation skills , and an ability to analyse and resolve rapidly evolving events.
‘Police constables have a unique employment status, as every police constable is a warranted officer, making autonomous lawful decisions including taking away an individuals liberty if required.
‘Police constables exercise wide-ranging powers to maintain the peace and uphold the law across complex and diverse communities. They must justify and personally account for their actions through differing legal frameworks including courts, while also under the close scrutiny of the public’.
* ‘Police constable’ refers to a rank that virtually all police officers will start as. ‘Police officer’ refers to all ranks from police constable to chief constable of a county constabulary. With there being such a wide range of roles within the policing profession, there’s plenty of scope for career progression.
Skip ahead:
What does a police officer do?
As a police officer you’ll carry out a wide range of tasks, such as:
Find out more in our Police Officer job profile.
How to become a police officer
Finish Your Field Training
The learning doesnt stop after graduation from the academy. Theres still a field training program to get through.
Field training teaches candidates what its really like to work on the street. You take on progressively more responsibility as you are evaluated on every aspect of the job, from your investigative abilities to your observance of officer safety and everything in between. Of course, once youve finished field training, the real learning begins, as you get on-the-job training patrolling the streets on your own.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer
When choosing to embark on any career, its certainly helpful to know how long the educational process will take. For those wanting to work as a police officer, there is no clear-cut answer to the question of how long training and education will take. It really depends on your long-term career goals, as well as which path you choose to get there. Here are some of the most common timelines you might encounter when looking at becoming a police officer.
Nowthat you have a rough idea of how long each educational pathwayusually takes before being able to serve as a law enforcementofficer, lets talk about what to expect from each specific path.
Step 2
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How Much Does A Police Officer Make
A police officer earns an average of $53,517 per year, though salaries are often higher in larger metropolitan areas or with federal departments. For example, the lowest 10% earned less than $37,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $109,620.
The salary of a police officer varies based on location, police agency or department, education and experience level or specialty skills. Police officers mostly work full time, though some departments hire part-time employees.
How Hard Is Police Academy
The police academy is, above all, an educational institution. In classroom settings, youll learn the basics of law enforcement, crime prevention, patrol, conflict management, and investigations. You will also complete field training that will cover firearms proficiency, self defense, agility and strength training, and more.
Similar to basic training for a military recruit, this all-encompassing education requires physical and mental endurance. Youll be up early for exercise, attend strict classroom settings, drill in firearms, learn how to use non-lethal measures, and likely spend hours in the hot sun running, jumping, wrestling, and becoming a more physically-fit police recruit. Its not easy, but at the end you will be prepared to face the physical, mental, and emotional rigors of police work.
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Bachelor’s Degree In Law Enforcement
A law enforcement degree at the bachelor’s level typically takes four years to complete and can include many different topics or subjects. There are prototypical degrees such as criminal justice, criminology and law enforcement studies. But there are other majors that can hold police officers in good stead. For example, graduates with a degree in accounting are excellent candidates for a career in white collar crime investigations, while computer science majors can have an advantage if they’re interested in pursuing a career in computer forensics or cyber crimes.
Those in a bachelor’s degree program in a law-related field can expect to find courses like these:
Police Ethics
Minimum Requirements To Be A Police Officer In Illinois
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Extra Opportunities With A College Degree
While a college degree is not required to become a police officer, it can give you an edge in the hiring process and help you advance your career.
With a degree, you will have the opportunity to take on more responsibility and leadership roles. You will also be able to command a higher salary. So, if you are looking to move up in your career, a college degree may be the way to go.
For example, lets say you got a degree in criminal justice. You would then be qualified for positions such as detective, crime scene investigator, and more. These positions would most likely be impossible to obtain for someone without a degree unless they demonstrated exceptional skills in the field.
The same goes for a degree like Forensics or Psychology. Both of those would put you ahead of your peers with just a high-school diploma.
So, if you are considering a career in law enforcement, remember that a college degree can give you an advantage. But it is not required to enter the field or have a successful career.
General Information On How To Become A Law Enforcement Officer
The following information outlines the process by which a candidate may become licensed as a law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan.
Licensing as a law enforcement officer in Michigan must be approved through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards . This happens when the following two requirements are met by the candidate: compliance with MCOLES minimum selection standards which includes satisfactory completion of a basic police academy or recognition of prior training and experience, and employment with a law enforcement agency as a law enforcement officer. Previously licensed police officers in Michigan, or from another state, who are seeking re-licensure are directed to the MCOLES Recognition of Prior Training and Experience Program.
Basic recruit training, which is the major component of the pre-employment standards, must be completed at an approved training academy. Regional training academies are located throughout the state. All training academies are required to teach, as a minimum, the states basic training curriculum, which is 594 hours in length. At the completion of the academy, all graduates are required to pass a licensing examination administered by the state.
There are three ways to enter a basic training academy:
Once all of the pre-enrollment standards have been met, including basic training, a candidates license may be activated through MCOLES by being sworn in as a law enforcement officer with a law enforcement agency.
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Do College Loans Cover Living Expenses
Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are all able to use student loans for living expenses. Student loan funds are typically disbursed directly to your school to cover tuition and fees. Any money left over will be refunded to you, which you can use to pay for housing and any other education-related costs.
Associate Of Science In Criminal Justice
CSUs associate degree in criminal justice helps students make logical judgments and employ educated solutions for the issues faced by law enforcement officers a daily basis. Furthermore, this program of study equips students with a functional understanding of constitutional and criminal law. Some of the required courses may include:
- Introduction to terrorism.
- Theory and practice of corrections.
- Theory and practice of law enforcement.
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From Security Guard To Police Officer
While there are a fair number of employment opportunities, as you have seen in the information presented in this article, policy agencies hire only the most suitable candidates. So you need to do what you can to ensure that your application stands out from the rest.
Police agency recruiters advise applicants to significantly improve their chances of being selected through:
Pass The Ged In 2 Months
Learn Just 1 Hour a Day.It doesnt matter when you left school.
But, of course, it depends on the acceptance policy of specific departments. Your GED diploma is equivalent to a common high school degree so wherever holding a high school credential is the qualification more, your GED is also sufficient.
Your GED diploma qualifies you for enrolling in credit-bearing college coursework and holding a higher education degree looks so much better for employers, also when you want to be a police officer.
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Which Bachelors Degrees Should Law Enforcement Officials Consider
For a career in law enforcement, a bachelors degree will give you broader perspectives and may prepare you for future leadership roles or administrative positions.
A bachelors degree gives you a more comprehensive education than an associate degree. Youll take more classes in your major and may delve deeper into the subject matter. You could also have more opportunities to broaden your experience with internships, study abroad, and clubs.
Many of the same programs offered as associate degrees, such as criminal justice and computer forensics, are also offered at the bachelors-degree level.
Bachelors degrees also give you the opportunity to choose a minor area of study to supplement your major. Vesna Markovic, professor of criminal justice at Lewis University near Chicago, suggests that a minor in such subjects as psychology, social work, or computer science may give you an edge on the competition in your job search. Knowing a second language can also be beneficial, she says.
You may be competing with people who have all have advanced degrees, so what else do you have to bring to the table? Markovic asks.
Traditionally, full-time bachelors degrees take four years to complete. You may finish sooner if you take classes during the summer or attend an online school that offers an accelerated program.
Most colleges and universities allow you to transfer credits from an accredited associate degree program or previous college studies.
Do You Need A College Degree To Become A Police Officer
Becoming a police officer doesnt rely heavily on formal education in fact, a high school diploma is often the minimum formal education required. An associates, bachelors or graduate degree is rarely mandatory. This training is often provided by police academies on the local, regional or state level.
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How Important Is Accreditation
Accreditation refers to an outside organization reviewing a particular school or program to ensure it meets certain standards of quality. Accreditation is important for police training programs because it serves as a mark of quality graduates who complete their education and training can be confident that what they have earned will be accepted by future employers and peers. The specific entities that offer accreditation will vary depending on the program. For instance, many associate or bachelors degree programs will not be accredited at the program level, but the school offering the degree will be accredited. This will usually be a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the US Department of Education.
As for the accreditation of police training academies, the most prominent is the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, or CALEA.
Step 3
How To Become A Police Officer Without A College Degree
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It isnt a need for police officers to have a college degree, but having one may be a tremendous benefit in the job market.
The lack of a bachelors degree may prevent you from working in a federal law enforcement agency or rising through the ranks to become a captain.
If you want to become a police officer and get a bachelors degree in criminal justice, social sciences, foreign language, computer science, or business, you have a variety of alternatives.
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Can I Join The Police Without A Levels
Direct Application Youll generally need A levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification, or experience in a related area like the military. Youll usually apply to one police force at a time. If your application is successful, youll be invited to an assessment centre where youll: have an interview.
How To Become A New York City New York Police Officer
Before applying to become an officer with the NYPD, candidates who meet the hiring prerequisites outlined below must first take the written civil service exam. Candidates who pass the civil service exam must next apply to the department. Eligible applicants will be contacted to complete medical and psychological screenings, a character investigation, a physical fitness test, and a pre-hire interview. Prospective recruits who perform well throughout these stages will be conditionally hired and invited to proceed to the final step, attending the New York City Police Academy.
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Considering A Degree Later In Your Career
Though college may not be immediately available or the right thing for you right now, theres nothing to say you cant consider earning either a degree in criminal justice or a bachelors in criminology in the future.
In fact, after several years of relevant work experience, you may find that you are better able to excel academically and thus decide to go on and earn a masters degree. Regardless of where your path takes you, though, be sure to take advantage of all of the opportunities available within this exciting career field.
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What Does A Police Officer Do
In the simplest sense, police officers enforce laws and protect life and property. But of course, there is much more to it than that. Here’s how it breaks down:
Policeofficers are sworn to protect and serve the communities in which they live andwork. They enforce laws, obtain warrants, arrest and interview suspects, securecrime and accident scenes, write detailed reports and testify in court, amongother duties. Officers often respond to emergency calls, working shifts thatoperate around the clock.
The specific duties of a police officer will be numerous and diverse. Based on appointment, length of service and training, they may work with a K-9 unit responding to suspicions of drugs or dangerous weapons in vehicles and other property. Or, they might take a role on the SWAT team where they need to know tactics and procedures for working under dangerous conditions. Much of their daily routine will involve patrolling a certain area, such as a portion of a town or city. As they move up the ranks, they may investigate crimes ranging from petty theft to murder.
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Successfully Pass A Background Check
You can expect any law enforcement agency youre applying for to conduct a number of checks into your background, including criminal history and even credit history. While this isnt literally the first step to becoming a police officer, it is the first one youll need to consider before you get too invested in the process. If you have concerns about how your background might impact your candidacy, you may want to consult a police academy admissions representative about it.
Your credit history may be analyzed because it gives potential employers an idea of your level of responsibility and potential problems like gambling-related debts. Police departments look into applicants history of criminal activity, employment, residency and academic records as well.
Basically, the police department is going to get deep into your business, says Adam Plantinga, and 17-year veteran sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department. Dont leave anything out on your background packet. If you omit something, even inadvertently, and it comes to light, you will likely be eliminated as a candidate. Departments are looking for responsible people who play by the rules.
Things like felonies and gross misdemeanors could disqualify you from becoming a police officer, but less serious offenses could also be problematicit really depends on the department and its policies.