What Are The Minimum Requirements For Ontario Police Officer Applicants In Ontario
Before applying, ensure that you meet the minimum requirements. The following list of application requirements applies to most police agencies in Ontario:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Fluency in English
- Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Valid current standard first aid / CPR C certification
- Class ‘G’ driver’s license, full driving privileges, and a maximum of 6 demerit points
- No criminal convictions which have not been pardoned and no criminal charges pending
In addition to the above, the Toronto Police Service requires candidates to meet the following requirements:
- Possess a valid O.A.C.P. certificate,
- Be able to pass a security clearance as well as a background investigation, credit check, and reference check.
Willingness to serve anywhere in the province is an additional requirement for those applying to the Ontario Provincial Police.
Benefits Of Earning A Policing Degree
While a policing degree is not required to become a law enforcement official, a policing degree from Laurier helps enhance the career and earning potential of an individual who wants to pursue a career in this field.
Graduates with a bachelors degree in policing will have an advantage when pursuing leadership positions and promotions. In addition to becoming a police officer, some of the top job opportunities for graduates include emergency management specialist, crime analyst and security director.
Additionally, the earning potential is higher for graduates with an online degree in policing. Higher education can translate into higher wages than a high school or college diploma alone. Earning a bachelor’s degree can earn you over 30 percent higher earnings than high school graduates.
In terms of salaries in Canada, a police officer earns an average of $93,000 per year. The average security director salary in Canada is $99,000. And a detective sergeant can earn in excess of $121,000 annually.
Local Needs Of Police Services
Apart from the competencies, individual police services may also require certain special skills and abilities in order to address issues pertaining to the service or the community. A local need may be a second language, a special type or level of computer skills or prior experience in working with victims and/or members of a vulnerable community.
Recommended Reading: How To Get A Police Report For A Car Accident
Masters Degrees For A Police Officer
While a masters degree is not generally required to be a new police officer, it may be necessary for advancement. The masters degree program you choose will depend on the position you are seeking. The best masters degrees for detectives and specialist positions are in criminal justice. An MS in criminal justice includes courses in victimology and crime prevention to prepare students for advanced police work. If your goal is to advance to a high level supervisory position within the police department, there are other good masters degrees. A masters in business administration is a good degree for aspiring police chiefs. An MBA program prepares students for the business aspect of running a police department by offering courses in finance and leadership.
Bachelors Degree In Law Enforcement
A law enforcement degree at the bachelors 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 theyre interested in pursuing a career in computer forensics or cyber crimes.
Those in a bachelors degree program in a law-related field can expect to find courses like these:
Police Ethics
Recommended Reading: How To Register For Police Academy
Minnesota Police Jobs Outlook
For anyone considering applying for a Minnesota law enforcement position, the future looks positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for police and patrol officers in Minnesota was $64,700 in March 2018.1 Growth for law enforcement positions in Minnesota is projected at 7.6% through 2026, with an expected 720 average annual openings including replacements.9 Replacement hires are expected to rise significantly due to a large number of baby boomer police veterans who will be retiring over the coming years. Additionally, employment and recruitment cycles tend to coincide with allocated state budgets.
For more information current law enforcement openings, take a look at our police jobs board.
How To Become A Police Officer In Canada & Disqualifiers To Avoid
Choosing a new career , can be an overwhelming process. Opportunities are endless in a country like Canada. Its not easy figuring out which direction to take in the first place.
Canadian Business helps you narrow down your options with a list of The Top 25 Jobs in Canada. And were here to help you break down #14 on that list: police officer.
Being a police officer comes with great responsibility, authority, and trust. Therefore strict standards are upheld in the selection process to ensure only the right candidates are hired. This process typically includes:
- A written exam
- Have no criminal convictions and no criminal charges pending
In addition to the above list, each police force adds its own list of requirements.
Those applying for the RCMP need to meet the following additional requirements:
- Permanent resident applicants need to have resided in Canada for the last 10 years.
- Be at least 19 years old
- Possess a valid, unrestricted driver’s licence
- Be able to spend 26 weeks at the RCMP Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan
- Be willing to relocate anywhere within Canada
- Not have any tattoos that depict or incite hate, harassment, or discrimination against individuals on the basis of the grounds listed in Canadian Human Rights Act, section 3.
- Not wear any personal effects on the body that may interfere with the personal protective equipment.
The Vancouver Police Department asks that their applicants meet the following additional requirements:
Don’t Miss: Can Police Run Plates For Insurance
Physical Requirements To Become A Police Officer
Beyond the basic bio requirements, you will also need to meet physical requirements, such as:
- Basic physical criteria
- Good vision and hearing
- Mental strength
The physical requirements will vary from state to state and even city to city. For example in LA, male applicants must have a body fat percentage of less than 22%. In Philadelphia, recruits must pass a physical fitness test to be accepted into the training academy.
If you meet these essential requirements, you can move forward with education and training, which may include formal college courses, an important part of how to become a police officer.
What Makes Lauriers Police Studies Degree Different
Laurier is recognized by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development as one of the strongest schools for crime, justice and police degrees in Canada.
Unlike most police degrees, Lauriers program is for working officers with at least one year of on-the-job experience. We believe that the learning environment is strengthened when all students have actually dealt first-hand with the subjects discussed in class.
Youll learn alongside other experienced professionals from our expert instructors advised by a volunteer board of top police officers, lawyers, and academics.
Of course, few officers can afford to take three to four years off of work to earn a bachelors degree in policing, no matter how much it might benefit their career. Thats why we allow students to complete their police courses online.
Read Also: What Do You Do As A Police Officer
Duties & Tasks Of A Police Officer
Australian Federal Police Officers:
- Investigate and prosecute offences committed against the Commonwealth in areas such as organised, corporate and computer crime environmental offences drug trafficking fraud counterfeiting and terrorism
- Confiscate proceeds of crime when an offender is convicted
- Carry out VIP and diplomatic protection duties as directed
- Protect police witnesses and investigate the unlawful disclosure of government information and official corruption
- Work in joint operations with state and territory police
- Liaise with other police forces and crime prevention institutions to combat international crime
- Contribute to United Nations activities such as peacekeeping and international aid programs
- Undertake clerical and administrative duties.
Other Helpful Skills And Experience
Additional skills, such as physical strength and stamina, can help candidates meet police officer requirements. To keep up with daily job requirements, apprehend suspects, and pass required physical tests for entry into the field, officers and detectives must maintain good physical shape and demonstrate strength. Employers see prior military or security experience as a plus, since these candidates undergo previous physical and firearm training.
Moreover, police officers must possess good written and oral communication skills to effectively give detailed incident reports and speak with the public during fact-gathering. Law enforcement agents may also speak with suspects who communicate in other languages. To help diverse communities, officers should understand many different perspectives and display empathy. Law enforcement agents must also practice good judgment by determining the most effective way to solve problems.
Officers holding higher positions, such as detectives and fish and game wardens, may need critical thinking skills and perception to determine in advance why suspects act in certain ways. Since the public looks to officers for assistance in emergency situations, these professionals become highly visible community members. In their public roles, officers often serve as role models and must possess leadership skills.
You May Like: What Is The Education Requirements For A Police Officer
Majoring In Criminal Justice
For aspiring police officers who choose to pursue a bachelors degree, criminal justice often seems like the most obvious program of study. After all, your daily job duties include identifying and apprehending the perpetrators of crimes. It is important that you understand the infrastructure of the criminal justice system in its entirety. That system includes the operations of law enforcement departments like the one you intend on working for, the court systems that convict and sentence the accused and the correctional facilities where sentences are served. The core coursework of a criminal justice program often includes studies in criminal and constitutional law, criminal investigation and evidence procedures, corrections and rehabilitation in prisons and community settings and ethics and multicultural issues in criminal justice.
Just because criminal justice seems like a natural fit for a police officer doesnt mean its the best college major. In fact, since you will go through academy training anyway, theres an argument that a degree that equips you with a special skill set may be a better option.
Apply To Become A Police Officer
Working as a police officer is a popular job, so it makes sense that each job opening has more than a few applicants. In fact, in some areas of the country, becoming a police officer can be a highly competitive process, with hundreds of qualified applicants vying for only a handful of positions. Given this, its very important to learn how to stand out from the pack of hopefuls and get the attention of those who call the shots when hiring time rolls around. The following resources can help you with everything from cleaning up your resume to understanding how to interview for the job you really want.
Step 7
Recommended Reading: Are Domestic Violence Police Reports Public
Recommended Online Criminal Justice Degrees
Contact schools for information on enrollment, tuition, and aid
To start your career in law enforcement, you will need to start by getting the right education. Many jobs require an undergraduate degree, but you should be sure to research your prospective career path to fully understand what training you will need. Therefore, you should take a look at some of the best degree options that available for people who are seeking to start a career in the field of law enforcement.
Is Being A Police Officer A Good Job
There are clear advantages to working in this profession, but it comes with some of the largest downsides experienced in almost any career. As a police officer, you see some of the worst aspects of society, including domestic violence, ravages of drug abuse, and even murder. Its not just dealing with self-important speeders on the highway, but violent criminals as well. This can make policing extremely stressful, often forcing police officers to need therapy and other forms of emotional support.
But there are real advantages as well. As a police officer, you will experience pride in your job and, on occasion, the community will show its support and appreciation, which can make all the stresses worth the effort. Despite the challenges, youll know that your work makes the community a better place few careers can honestly make this claim.
Recommended Reading: Does Ring Security System Call Police
How To Complete Police Courses Online
Lauriers online police degrees are administered via the schools online learning portal. Lectures are recorded, and you can access the videos 24/7 through the portal.
The professors notes and additional instructions are posted each week, and most textbooks are digitally accessible. Courses also include discussion boards so you can talk about lessons with your fellow students. You can also contact instructors through the messaging system, and the library offers extensive online resources.
To assist you throughout your entire time as a student, you will be assigned a student success advisor to ensure youre able to access all the materials and resources you need.
Police Departments In Michigan
In addition to the Michigan State Police and the county sheriffs offices, candidates for law enforcement who meet the MCOLES requirements may consider working for one of the states many local police departments. Two of the largest forces in the state are the Detroit Police Department and the Grand Rapids Police Department. In addition to the minimum requirements for being any kind of law enforcement officer in the state, those wishing to apply to a particular citys force must also meet the standards of that department.
You May Like: How Much Does A Police Drone Cost
Potential Disqualifiers For A Policing Career In Canada
When preparing yourself for a policing career, you need to be aware of what will disqualify you from the police application process. As far as the written, physical, and medical exams, the requirements are fairly consistent across all agencies.
Language Disqualifier: You need to be fluent in either English or French including being able to speak, read, and understand one of these languages.
Physical Disqualifier: You cannot be in poor physical condition. Failure to successfully complete the physical examination in the minimum time frame is an automatic disqualification.
Test particulars can vary from one police agency to the next. However, all tests simulate critical incidents that police officers are exposed to. For example. the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation , used by the RCMP, consists of three sections:
Psychological Disqualifiers: A candidate can be disqualified if they do not meet the minimum psychological examination requirements.
Work Environment Disqualifiers: Police departments require you to work shift work which includes nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays as policing takes place 24 hours per day. If you are unwilling to accommodate this type of work schedule, you will be disqualified from the process.
Step : Post Application Physical Examination And Fingerprints
Once a background investigation is complete, register on the Georgia POST website as a new user so you can begin your online application. It is essential that you complete this application correctly or your admittance to the Basic Training Course will be delayed. There are several attachments to the application as well as a requirement for a physical examination and a requirement that you are fingerprinted. You should go to Georgia Applicants Processing Service to be fingerprinted. Physical examinations generally cost about $30 and the fee to be fingerprinted is roughly $53. If you have any questions, contact your chosen academy for assistance.
Also Check: How To Be A Police Detective In Usa
Police Officer Career Outlook
The continuing need for qualified police officers, especially in larger cities, has police officers very much in demand. Although the need for police officers is there, the number that are actually hired in a certain area depends largely on state and local budgets.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that police officers will see a job growth of five percent between 2019 and 2029. Based on this percentage, approximately 40,600 new police officer jobs will be created by 2029. During that decade, the BLS also predicts there will be more than 59,000 job openings per year.
These job openings are the result of police officers retiring or switching to other occupations. The best job opportunities generally go to these applicants:
- Individuals who speak more than one language
- Individuals who have investigative experience
- Individuals with a bachelors degree
- Individuals with military or law enforcement experience
The states with the highest number of police officers employed are:
- California 74,310
| $44,980 |
Do Police Officers Have Degrees In Criminal Justice
Not all police officers have degrees in criminal justice, and not all police officers even have degrees. As stated above, the educational requirements depend on the employer and location. If a police officer does have a degree, it might be an associates degree or a bachelors degree. Although the most common degree for police officers is criminal justice, interested individuals may also earn degrees in a field like law enforcement or legal studies. These programs typically offer the student a choice of concentrations, and police work is one of them.
You May Like: Where To Find Police Reports Online