Age Citizenship And License
In most U.S. states, applicants for police academy training must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen and a licensed driver, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. Police academy requirements for minimum age ensure that individuals are mature and competent enough to be an officer. Police officers frequently patrol areas in their cars, making a driver’s license essential to the job and a requirement for entrance into the police academy.
What Does Police Academy Training Entail
Police academy training involves educating, preparing, and training recruits in many different areas. It is important that the training is diverse in order to properly prepare officers for their day-to-day activities on the job and for the unexpected.
Most police academies have programs that involve both classroom-type settings as well as intense physical training. They also require a strict lifestyle to be adopted, such as abiding by strict rules pertaining to appearance, sleeping and eating schedules.
Physical training for someone in the academy is intense to say the least. Fitness tests are performed regularly in order to evaluate where each potential officer is at and how far they have come since the beginning. Academy training consists of body strengthening and running regimens to ensure that each officer can be ready to move quickly without much notice. There is also firearm training and range time to properly educate and train officers if they need to use their firearm. There may be additional weapons training, including training with tasers and pepper spray.
The classroom setting of police academy training involves educational courses regarding safety, psychology, local and state laws, protocols, and even some light medical knowledge. All of the academic training that takes place helps officers to become more knowledgeable about keeping themselves and their community safe.
Age Might Be Just A Number
Your age at the time of application is far less important for a majority of departments than whether you can physically perform the job. Youre ahead of the game regardless of your age if youre in good shape and can demonstrate that you can handle the physical rigors that a police officer is likely to encounter on the job.
Check with departments youd like to work for to make sure there arent any age restrictions. Some, such as the New York State Police and the federal governmentdo have maximum age limits. But you can likely find a department near you that will hire you at any age if you meet the other qualifications because there are so many law enforcement agencies within the U.S.
You May Like: What Is A Police Detective
Toronto Police Officer Application Process
The process outlined below belongs to the Toronto Police Service. Most police agencies in Ontario follow a similar process.
Applicants can be declined at any stage in the application process. The most suitable candidates in the application pool are selected amongst those who pass every stage.
Once you have been selected, you advance to recruit training. In the Toronto Police Service application process, you are sent to the Ontario Police College for recruit training. Recruits need to pass this program in order to become a police officer.
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.
You May Like: How To Get A Police Report Thrown Out
Impress At Your Police Officer Interview
Many hopeful applicants will be offered an interview during the hiring process. This is an opportunity to get to know you on a personal level, and sometimes that can be enough to land you that coveted job. Here are some questions you might encounter during that interview:
Lets keep in touch
Stay up-to-date with the latest education, training, and career trends.
Physical Requirements For Police
Many police departments require recruits to pass a physical fitness test. To ensure you pass the test, begin training early, focusing on running, stairs and strength exercises. Most departments will also look at your physical health and will want you to have good vision, hearing, cardiovascular health and a healthy weight-height ratio. You may want to have your hearing and vision checked before applying, and start dieting to manage your weight.
Many police departments are making adjustments in their physical requirements to allow for older candidates. For example, in Los Angeles recruits are allowed to carry 2 percent more body weight than previously and in Juneau, Alaska the number of required situps in one minute has been reduced to 15 from 30.
Recommended Reading: Can You Look Up Police Reports By Address
Also Check: Can You Report Someone To The Police For Online Harassment
Ensure A Career As A Police Officer Is Right For You
As with any job, its important to take a hard look at what the position requires to determine whether the career path is really right for you. Not only is it important to consider the career in general, its also important to look at the education required, the on-the-job intensity that police officers might experience on a day-to-day basis, and other factors. Its also a good idea to consider advancement if you have an eye toward higher-level administrative or federal work, is becoming a police officer the best stepping stone? Here are some questions to ask before diving into training to become a police officer.
- Do I have the physical strength to restrain dangerous individuals or save innocent civilians?
- Can I effectively read peoples emotions and feelings, in particular when it comes to assessing an individuals credibility and danger to others?
- Can I make difficult decisions that often have no ideal outcomes?
- Am I comfortable taking on a leadership role, whether it be as a community resource or point of assurance during a crisis?
- Am I good at communicating with others, especially in high stress situations?
If you answered yes to these questions, you may be an excellent fit for a police officer career.
Training Institutions For Police Officers
Now that you know what options there are for becoming a police officer, its important to know where they are offered. There are many schools that exist to help you move into the law enforcement career of your choice. Here are the options:
Vocational/trade schools
These post-high school institutions focus their programs and curriculums on skill-oriented or hands-on training. This training can come in the form of what effectively amounts to an in-house police academy. Vocational and trade schools can provide the fastest way to obtain the training necessary to become a police officer and allow students to receive police academy training without attending the official police academy. Its also fairly affordable compared to earning a college degree. Keep in mind that graduation doesnt guarantee a job in law enforcement and may not result in an academic credential that provides opportunities for professional advancement.
Best for? Those confident in obtaining a job offer after graduation and want to serve as a police officer as quickly as possible.
Community colleges
Best for? Students who would like to earn a college degree along with their law enforcement training.
Military
Best for? Those who love serving their country or community will benefit from the rewarding experience that can come from military service.
Four-year schools
Best for? Aspiring police officers who want an extra way to stand out from the pack of applicants, as well as those looking for federal work.
You May Like: How To Become A Detroit Police Officer
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
One Month Before Separation
If you have completed this checklist you should be able to spend the last 30 days taking care of your packing, checking out and getting settled into your new life.
Remember: Within the first 120 days after separation many of your benefits expire, so you should check out your options for replacing these benefits ASAP.
Read Also: Can I Access Police Reports
How Do I Become A Police Officer Without A College Degree
The lack of a college degree will not be an insurmountable road block for someone interested in becoming a police officer. Many law enforcement agencies hire applicants with a high school diploma or its equivalent, provided he meets other minimal qualifications set by the state and local police department.
Join The State Police
Email is the primary method of communication for upcoming candidate processing. Please ensure the NYSP has your current email address and that you regularly check your email, including spam, for these notices.
IMPORTANT: There has been an update to the Tattoo Policy allowing candidates with visible tattoos to attend candidate processing. Please refer to the Tattoo Policy for specifics.
Recommended Reading: Can I Be A Police Officer At 18
Associate Degree In Law Enforcement
An associate degree in law enforcement prepares graduates for police careers by providing the information necessary to pass police academy entrance exams. The associate degree usually takes two years to complete, is a well-rounded degree with general education courses mixed in, and serves as a stepping stone to the bachelor’s degree. Because each associate degree program will be tailored to the requirements of the local and regional law enforcement departments, curriculums will vary. However, some of the classes incoming students can expect include:
Crime Types
- Utilizing crime reconstructions methods
From Prom To Patrol: Will A High School Diploma Get You There
Disparities between the learning requirements of high school and those of the academy can cause recruits to struggle
This article is based on research conducted as a part of the CA POST Command College. It is a futures study of a particular emerging issue of relevance to law enforcement. Its purpose is not to predict the future rather, to project a variety of possible scenarios useful for planning and action in anticipation of the emerging landscape facing policing organizations.
The article was created using the futures forecasting process of Command College and its outcomes. Managing the future means influencing it creating, constraining and adapting to emerging trends and events in a way that optimizes the opportunities and minimizes the threats of relevance to the profession.
Senior year is almost over. John is at his senior prom overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, savoring the moment. He isnt thinking about his future, hes at one of the last big events of high school, prom.
Lets consider the nature and quality of the education John received to see if it has prepared him for the police academy.
You May Like: How To Report Police Harassment
Which Criminal Justice Careers Dont Require Police Academy Training
When many people think about a career in criminal justice, they think of police officers. Police officers protect and serve our communities. They are specially trained to enforce laws, conduct investigations, detain offenders, maintain safety, and respond to crises. They are important figures within the criminal justice system however, they are not the only ones. There are many rewarding criminal justice jobs that do not involve policing and that do not require police training.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does It Cost To Sue The Police
Put In For As Much Police Training As You Can
There is a wide array of schools focusing on different aspects of police training. Such schools range from interview and interrogation, to tactical encounters and room clearing. Your continuing education will keep the job fresh and exciting for you.
If your department is struggling with budget issues, train on your own time. This will not only improve your effectiveness as a police officer, it will help you network with like-minded officers who are committed to improving themselves through training. That connection can be a positive force in your police career. It will remind you that there are a lot of officers who do more than punch a clock. They want to improve their communities by improving themselves. Those are the police officers you need to surround yourself with and emulate.
You May Like: What Are My Rights When Dealing With Police
What Does A Police Officer Do How Much Do They Make
Police officers perform a vital task in our society by protecting people from a wide range of threats and dangers. As a police officer, your duties may include responding to emergencies, arresting suspected lawbreakers, patrolling neighborhoods, and protecting the rules of the road. Moreover, some cops work on specific types of crimes, such as narcotics, SWAT, or even homicide.
Some police officers go on to become detectives, who are charged with solving crimes and preventing them from occurring. Typically, officers must serve for at least three years before theyre eligible to become a detective. A detective position usually comes with a pay raise while the average salary for a police officer is $65,400 a year, detectives have a median income of $81,920.
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.
Dont Miss: Where To Buy Police Equipment
You May Like: How Many Blacks Killed By Police 2016
Training Civilians Before Employment
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Act allows civilians to be trained and certified as law enforcement officers by a certified Illinois police academy before they are hired by law enforcement agencies. Traditionally, recruits are hired by a law enforcement agency, then sent to a police academy for training. Civilians now have the ability to receive the same training as sworn police officers prior to service and agencies will have the opportunity to hire academy trained individuals ready for service.
The basic training program
- Intensive academic and physical training.
- Instructors are employed in the field of law enforcement.
- Courses include all aspects of entry-level law enforcement including legal issues, citizen interaction, communications, investigation and state-of-the-art firearms training and defensive tactics.
Available only at SWIC
The Intern application process has currently been approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board only at Southwestern Illinois Police Academy.
How Are Police Academies Scheduled
Full-time recruit officer courses are only scheduled to meet anticipated demand. As a result, the Municipal Police Training Committee encourages departments to keep the MPTC informed regarding future hiring plans and recruit officer training needs. If you have questions regarding an MPTC police academy please contact Pat Caggiano at 437-0306 or via . Please contact your areas full-time police training organization to express interest in attending an authorized police academy.
Recommended Reading: How Much Do Police Officers Make In Texas