How Can You Become A Police Officer

What Should I Study To Become A Police Officer

Are VA Police Real Cops? | How to become a VA Police Officer | theSITREP

Time to Read: 5 min.

What should I study to become a police officer is a common question that we all get asked by diligent students who are considering a career in policing. This article will take you through some of the main challenges a police officer faces and what is best to study at GCSE, A level, and degree level to become a police officer.

What Subjects Are Needed To Become A Police Officer

Math and science are key for conducting investigations on the job. English and Spanish allow you to better communicate with the public. Physical education and psychology assist with connecting with the public and keeping them, you and your partner safe. What subjects do you need to take in high school to become a police officer depend on how far you want to go in your career. A criminal education background is very helpful. Helpful characteristics include negotiating skills, empathy, mental agility and physical stamina.

What Education Certification Or License Is Required To Be A Police Officer

You will need a minimum of a high school diploma, or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice depending on local requirements and successful completion of a police academy program. Police officers must have CPR and first aid certification and be skilled in the use and care of firearms. A driver’s license is required, and in some cases, a special motorcycle license will be required.

Also Check: How To Get A Police Report In Chicago

Are You Already A Police Officer

If you are a working or retired police officer, Lauriers Honours Bachelor in Policing degree is just for you. Designed for those with at least a year of full-time professional work as a police officer, this program is a great fit for those with experience seeking to elevate their career and understanding.

Depending on your prior education and professional experience, you may be eligible to transfer up to 10 of the 20 total credits mandated for the programâs completion. to learn more.

While police organizations provide new recruits with basic constable training, obtaining a policing degree provides the necessary skills to evaluate and apply different perspectives to better operate in a society that often scrutinizes and challenges police actions. Youâll combine the real-world skills and experience you have acquired in the service with a broader understanding of justice, investigative technique, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving that will help you better serve citizens. Earning a degree later in your career expands your options for new higher-paid roles after retiring from the service.

Also Check: Where Do I Start To Become A Police Officer

Get Accepted & Paying Your Way

Admission requirements can vary widely depending on the type of program and institution offering it. Another consideration is how to pay for this education and training. During your application process, keep the following pointers in the back of your mind to help you get into the best program to meet your needs and goals as a future police officer.

Entrance requirements

Entry into various degree programs in law enforcement will all require some general points, such as completing an application, paying an application fee and presenting proof of high school graduation.

The associate degree program might require:

A personal statement
Transcripts from any other college courses taken

The bachelors degree might require additional information:

Transcripts from associate degree work
Completion of certain prerequisites
A resume of related experience

Application process & fees

Paying for Your Program

How much a training or educational program costs depends greatly upon the degree level you want to obtain. For instance, obtaining an associate degree will cost much less than a bachelors degree will. To learn more about financial aid options and how those will affect your financial bottom line, visit our online financial aid handbook:

Step 4

Enroll In Suffolk County Exam Prep Classes

Candidates who do not seek career counseling for civil service exams frequently miss out on expert assistance that makes them worthy police applicants. Thats where we can help you out! Here at Civil Service Success, we provide appropriate education to applicants by giving extensive seminars designed to help them get their dream job.

Consider A Bachelors Degree

There are many reasons why earning a bachelors degree may be an important step in becoming a police officer. Becoming a police officer does not automatically require one, but some employers may favor candidates who hold a relevant degree.

Police officers who want to pursue more advanced or specialized forms of police work are typically interested in supervisory roles, management positions, criminology sciences, governmental advisory positions, or security jobs in private institutions. Although it is possible for police officers without bachelors degrees to advance to these roles, having a higher education may give these candidates competitive advantages.

Recommended Reading: How To Work Undercover For The Police

Law Enforcement Degrees Training Or Credentials

Even though a degree may not be required, any college degree is beneficial if you want to become a police officer. However many people who want to prepare to work in public safety consider a criminal justice degree the best option.

An Associate of Science in Criminal Justice takes an average of two years to complete and is available online at Post University. It covers the basics of the American criminal justice system and the ethical principles involved in police work.

You can also opt for a four-year degree in criminal justice. A Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice will cover the basics and give you a well-rounded education in other areas, such as forensics, security, investigation, and communications.

Both an associate degree and a bachelors in criminal justice are available from Post University online, so you can work while you learn. For example, if you are looking to move up as a police officer, you could apply and then study while on the job. This could also give you a competitive edge in the hiring process.

Even after you get into the force, you will need to continue your education to remain there. A police recertification program, for example, ensures officers stay current with the law. This certification also counts towards continuing education credits. The requirements for continuing education will vary by location.

Police Officer’s Recruitment Exams

How To Become A Police Officer In 2021.. STEP BY STEP Guide

There are three steps involved in the selection procedure of the IPS officer. Go through below to get the details about the exam

Step 1: Preliminary exam

Step 2: Mains exam

Step 3: Interview

In the preliminary exam, candidates have to prepare for two papers-Paper I and Paper II . To prepare for the exam for a career in a police officer, you have to first clear the preliminary exam. Once you pass the preliminary exam, you will be eligible for mains exam.

The topics that you have to cover in General studies are:

Current Affairs

These aforementioned topics are important for the preparation of General Studies. You have to make a time table and revision is essential for Civil Service Exam. Refer more than one references is essential to clear your concept.

Read Also: Can Police Track A Textfree Number

What The Police Academy Is Like

At a police training academy, you can acquire the knowledge, skills, and physical ability to become a police officer.

A typical day begins with physical training to develop the strength and stamina that a police officer needs. This training can include running, lifting weights, climbing, and agility exercises.

Then, youll move on to the classroom, where you will learn about laws and the criminal justice system. Your classes may be taught by active duty or retired police officers, college professors, or experts within their field, Webb explains. For a course about law, your teacher may be a lawyer, for example.

Classroom studies also focus on communication skills and report writing.

Training in police techniques covers skills such as defense tactics, firearms handling, and pursuit driving. You will also learn the proper way to use tools such as a breathalyzer.

Once you pass all tests and meet all standards, youll graduate from the academy, but in most cases, you will still not be prepared for a job as a police officer. Its common for law enforcement agencies to require candidates to spend a certain number of weeks riding along with a police training officer on the job.

The length and timing of police academy training varies from location to the next. Some agencies have their own academies, Webb explains. Some form co-ops or regional academies.

It all depends on where you want to go and where you want to work, Webb states.

You May Like: How Many Police Encounters Per Year

Step : Background Investigation

All Peace Officer candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation which includes a drug test. When directed by the academy staff, Pre-Service Candidates should contact Professional Screening and Information . The current cost for the PSI background investigation for Pre-Service Candidates is $304.00 and is payable online. Contact your academy of choice to obtain the organization code and Chain of Custody form, when applicable, for the drug test. Once completed, the PSI background investigation results will be forwarded to the chosen academy.

Read Also: How To View Police Records Online

Get The Right Police Education & Training

There was a time when becoming a police officer was as simple as graduating high school or earning your GED, then attending a short training academy before diving into on-the-job training. And though those opportunities do still exist, especially in smaller departments, most departments have raised their standards of education to at least two years of post-secondary work. This means pursing an associate degree in law enforcement or a related field, such as criminal justice, criminology, or police science should be the first option to consider. The associate degree can then serve as a stepping stone to the bachelors degree, which then leads to graduate degree options.

However, other routes to the profession do exist. In addition to the on-the-job training after completing academy training, there is also the military option. Those who work as military police or in a similar capacity while serving their country can be perfectly suited to move into a police force after their military time is up. Lets take a look at the options.

Associate Degree in Law Enforcement

Bestfor? Those who want to stand outagainst the competition, or need a basic college degree to apply fora particular job opening.

Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement

Best for? Those who have the time and financial resources to earn a four-year degree, want to work in federal law enforcement, or anticipate future professional advancement.

Masters Degree in Law Enforcement

Military experience in lieu of a degree

Police Officer Salaries In Ontario

The provincial hourly rate ranges from $30.05-$57.69/hr with a median hourly wage of $46.15/hr. The salary range for police officers in Ontario is $56k-$117k/year, while the median annual salary is $97,115/year.

The median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Toronto was $107,627. The median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Ottawa was $105,533, and the median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Hamilton was $106,485.

The starting salary at the Toronto Police Service is $70,643.30/year. By the fourth year, expected the annual salary to be $100,923.48/year. Benefits include paid vacation, family medical and dental benefits, life insurance, pension plan, and paternal and maternity leave.

The starting salary at the Ottawa Police Service is $67,615.92/year. By the fourth year, depending on your performance reviews, the annual salary is expected to increase to $99,434.93/year. Benefits include education reimbursement programs, a generous pension plan, medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, as well as long-term disability insurance.

Meanwhile, if working for the Ontario Provincial Police , the average salary is roughly $100,500/year.

Here is a list of average salaries for police officers in Ontario, according to Glassdoor:

Department

Looking to get into a career in policing? Check out some of our Paladin to Policing stories.

Working As A Forensic Scientist

Work as a forensic scientist can involve:

collecting trace evidence from scenes of crime or accidents and recording findings
analysing samples such as hair, body fluids, glass, paint and drugs in the laboratory
applying various techniques as appropriate eg DNA profiling, mass spectrometry, chromatography

You need a strong stomach, as some of the scenes of crime can be gruesome. Confidence is also required as reporting officers have to present evidence in court and be cross-examined by barristers. It helps if applicants have business skills as well as being technically capable. Crimes may happen at any time, so evening and weekend call outs happen regularly.

FSNI provides a broad range of services, and currently employs forensic scientists in the following disciplines:

alcohol, drugs and toxicology

Also Check: How To Find Out If The Police Are Investigating You

What Skills Are Required To Be A Successful Police Officer

Interpersonal skills
Empathy and compassion for others
Effective communication
Clear and concise writing
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
The ability to remain calm
Working knowledge of public safety software/systems
Understanding of regulatory reporting requirements
Good physical condition

S Of The Application And Hiring Process Of This Civil Service Job

The typical steps taken by most departments when hiring for police posts are listed below. Candidates will undergo each phase, and those who dont fit the criteria wont be considered. People who make it through will have their evaluations based on their performance in the applications scored sections.

To enhance your likelihood of being employed, you must have a thorough and exact knowledge of the procedure. Additionally, if any of the stages are not properly followed, the candidate will not be taken into consideration:

Physical Agility Assessment: The only goal of this testis to ascertain whether candidates possess the physical skills necessary to carry out the jobs demands. Not all departments administer a physical endurance test, and those that do will grade it on a pass/fail basis.

Background Checks: A background check will be conducted on candidates who advance through the rigorous recruiting process. This is done to verify the accuracy of all the data provided throughout the application procedure and to check for any disqualifiers that might invalidate an applicant.
Medical Tests: Several departments will require all job candidates to pass a medical exam. The medical exam aims to assess whether the applicant is physically ready for duty or whether they have any medical conditions that would prevent them from executing necessary activities.

Is Crime Scene Investigation A Good Career

Steps to Becoming a Police Officer

After initial training on the job, crime scene investigators continue learning on the job. Those with skill and experience are highly regarded by police. For example, every opening for this type of job in Austin, Texas typically attracts 100 applicants. Experience is advantageous in lateral or upward career moves.

Don’t Miss: How To Become A Police Officer In Los Angeles California

Is Becoming A Police Officer In Your Future

While the steps to becoming a police officer may seem lengthy, completing them is absolutely necessary if you want to achieve the fulfilling career youve set your sights on. And a good law enforcement program will help you navigate the process.

Now that youre familiar with the process of how to become a police officer, you may be curious if you have what it takes to excel on the job. Learn more in our article, Often Overlooked Qualities of a Great Police Officer.

If youre already set on becoming a police officer, visit our Law Enforcement degree page to learn how we can help you take the next step toward becoming a police officer in Minnesota.

The Law Enforcement programs at Rasmussen University are not aligned to the standards of any professional licensing body other than the MN POST and are not intended to satisfy professional licensure requirements of any professional licensing agency in any other state.Editors note: This article was originally published in June 2016. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2020. Insight from Shetler and Plantinga remain from the original.

How Long Is Police Academy

One of the most important steps, as well as possibly the most challenging, in your path to becoming a police officer is training at a police academy. Each state will have different requirements for the specifics of a police academy, but recruits will typically spend about 800 hours in training before graduation. In general, the academy will take about six months to complete.

Also Check: How To Become A Police Officer In Albuquerque

Certificate In Law Enforcement

A certificate in criminal justice or criminology is an opportunity for individuals to gain specific instruction in an area of law enforcement. Since a certificate consists of a few classes and can be completed in a few months, the certificate can also provide an opportunity to get started on an associate degree without having to commit to the two years just yet. Certificates are also great in that some department require applicants to have some college credits, but do not require a full degree. Some of the courses available in a criminology or criminal justice certificate program are listed below:

Criminology

Use of different philosophies regarding criminal punishment
Familiarity with common practices within a correctional facility.
Ability to follow established procedures and protocols of various correctional facilities

What Skills Does A Police Officer Need

The 10 Worst Things About Being a Police Officer

Learning how to become a police officer requires the development of specific skills. According to the BLS, these include the following:

Communication. Officers should be able to speak with and record data from colleagues and community members, as well as express information effectively both verbally and in writing. Empathy. Officers should understand the diverse perspectives and needs of the communities in their jurisdictions while enforcing the law and assisting the public. Judgment. Officers should use common sense and relevant knowledge to address problems and resolve issues appropriately. Leadership. Officers should be comfortable with guiding, correcting, and directing community members as needed. Fitness. Officers should have enough strength and stamina to perform the challenging physical aspects of their responsibilities.

Also Check: How Do I File A Police Report For Identity Theft