Police Officer Physical Aptitude Test
AZPOST rules require each graduate to complete all five of the activities in the POPAT test with a minimum specified score. Failure to achieve this standard will mean dismissal from the academy.
The POPAT course consists of five components:
- A timed 500-yard run
- A timed 99-yard obstacle course
- A 165-pound dummy drag
- A 6-foot chain link fence climb
- A 6-foot wall climb
Applying To The Academy
Arizona Police Officer Requirements
The Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board sets the minimum requirements for Arizona cops. While these minimum requirements apply to all potential police officers in the state, individual police departments can set additional requirements. For example, a police department may require recruits to hold an associate degree in criminal justice or a related field. Even in departments that require only a high school diploma or GED, candidates with a degree are usually preferred.
In order to become a sworn officer, Arizona police officer candidates must:
- Have US citizenship
- Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Be 21 years of age upon graduation from the academy
- Possess valid Arizona drivers license
- Have no felony convictions
- Have been honorably discharged, if a military veteran
- Not have been denied or revoked from certified status in any other law enforcement agency
- Meet guidelines for past use and sale of illegal substances
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We Strongly Encourage All Lapd Candidates To Take Advantage Of This Free Program
- Get a head start on getting in the best shape of your life.
- Get accustomed to the training style youll encounter at the Academy
- Get information on what to expect at the Academy
- Get to know the LAPD officers who conduct the program and who will provide information, support, and encouragement.
- Network with other candidates who will have helpful information and who will provide the support and encouragement to achieve things you may not have considered possible.
Police Officer Recruitment Information
Applications for recruit and lateral officers are now open. Apply here
Current and Upcoming Recruit and Lateral Application Dates:
Applications open: 07/01/2021 09/30/2021, Testing Cycle: October, 2021
If you have already applied, thank you for your continued patience and interest in joining the Gilbert Police Department. We are taking every possible step to ensure the safety of all applicants and adjusting our testing process accordingly.You will receive an email with specific instructions regarding the updated process.
Testing Process
Police Officer Recruit
Lateral Officer
- Must be 21 years of age or greater by the completion of the police academy.
- Must be a United States citizen prior to being appointed.
- Vision and hearing levels as determined by an AZ POST certified physician
DISQUALIFIERS:
DRUG USAGE:
DRIVING:
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Completing The Police Academy
When you have successfully completed the hiring process, you are a few steps closer to becoming a police officer but you still have two more phases to go through. The first one is the Police Academy. There you will undergo a lot of physical and theoretical training and learn how to use guns and apprehend criminals. You will receive knowledge about different laws and law enforcement procedures as well as acquire practical skills in driving, first aid, etc.
Not all candidates who enter the Academy finish their studies. You may be rejected due to bad performance, while some candidates give up themselves as they find it too difficult to complete.
The duration of the training in the Police Academy varies for the different agencies. It usually takes about 13 to 19 weeks on average but can last up to six months.
Note that it is possible to complete the Police Academy prior to applying for a police officer. Getting POST certified is one of the secrets to getting quickly hired as a police officer so, you can investigate this option as well.
How To Become A Phoenix Arizona Police Officer
To be eligible to join the Phoenix Police Department as an officer, candidates must meet the minimum eligibility standards outlined below. Those who qualify will undergo a rigorous selection and screening process, which starts with the submission of the online application and taking a written exam. Candidates must pass each step of the process to proceed to the next step. After passing the physical fitness exam, background check, polygraph exam, psychological screening, and medical exam, candidates will be invited to complete recruit officer training at the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy . After completing the police academy, recruits will be sworn in as Phoenix police officers.
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Sierra Vista Police Department
A CALEA-certified department, the Sierra Vista Police Departments sets the standard for professional law enforcement agencies though exceptional performance and quality community service.
Our mission, to protect and serve through professional, proactive, and innovative police services, reflects the Department’s commitment to providing excellent law enforcement services and strengthening its partnership with the community. It is an affirmation of our dedication to improving the quality of life here, by focusing on our community’s public safety concerns.
Police Employment
Find out more about becoming a Sierra Vista police officer, education and training, testing, lateral transfers, salary and benefits, and more.
Help Stop Crime
Learn how to prevent property theft and burglary, report and find missing persons, register your bicycle, request a vacation house check, and report crimes.
Better Driving Tips
Learn about the dangers of driving while distracted, Arizona’s state-wide law hands-free law, and the dangers of driving while impaired.
Citizen Police Academy
Learn about this innovative 12-week course where citizens learn about law enforcement, investigations, enforcement, the law, and much more.
Volunteer Program
Volunteers with the Sierra Vista Police Department fill crucial roles in animal care, records and evidence management, and special operations.
Ride Along or Observe
How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer
Becoming a police officer is a desired career for many people, regardless of their age and current occupation. It is a job that you can start right after graduation or at a later stage of your life, provided that you meet the age criteria of the agency you want to work for.
As a police officer, you have the chance to serve your community in many different ways the police officers are the first who respond to an incident such as a robbery, domestic violence or other type of crime, they patrol the streets and maintain order, apprehend criminals and help citizens in case of an emergency or other critical situation. There are many possibilities for career growth depending on the education and experience of the candidate and their readiness for advancement.
Becoming a police officer, however, doesnt happen at the drop of a hat. Most agencies require a certain level of education on top of the high school diploma, plus there is a training once you get hired and the hiring process itself is quite lengthy. So, how long does it take to become a police officer? The answer really depends on the department you want to join and their specific training procedures and requirements as well as on your career ambitions. Still, you can get a rough idea how much time you need to invest in pursuing this career path by having a look at how long does it take to complete five of the basic steps to become a police officer.
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How Much Does It Cost To Attend A Police Academy
It takes a lot of education to prepare for a career in law enforcement. Like any other type of academic study or professional training, the costs can be significant. While the costs of attending a police academy vary widely from one jurisdiction to another the information below can help give you an idea of the financial investment required to become certified as a police officer:
THE BASICS:
A police academy is an intensive and highly specialized school that prepares students for certification as law enforcement officers. Police academies often work in affiliation with community colleges, vocational training centers, and similar institutions. Like the cost of attendance, the enrollment guidelines and certification requirements vary from state to state. Other important rules such as the necessary age for enrollment and the number of classroom hours required for graduation will also vary.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST:
Police academy attendance requires a significant financial commitment. Typically, the overall cost of attending a police academy is between $3,500 and $5,500. The specific amount is dependant on the jurisdiction, course of instruction and other factors. Additionally, some items such as uniforms and books are included with the tuition at some academies but treated as an extra expense by others.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER COSTS?:
ARE THERE WAYS TO REDUCE THE COST?:
Firearms Training & Qualifications
All recruits must achieve minimum passing scores in two of three daytime qualification attempts and one of two nighttime attempts with an authorized duty handgun on a 50 round course of fire.
SALETC utilizes firearms simulation training systems to test each recruit officer’s judgment when faced with shoot/don’t shoot decisions. Each officer must pass the judgmental shooting training.
Each recruit will also receive instruction on the use of a shotgun and will participate in a practical firearm-training course.
Recruit officers are responsible for the security of their issued weapons at all times. Weapons shall not be left in plain sight unattended under any circumstances. Weapons shall not be brought to the academy until instructed by a supervisor or firearms training instructor.
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Weapons Defensive And Offensive Tactics
One of the most sensitive and crucial topics that a police officer must learn is the proper handling of firearms. This subject will teach you the proper use, maintenance, and display of your weapons. You will also learn how to deal with situations that involve aggressors. Such as the use of defensive and disarming maneuvers.
Phoenix Police Department Information
The Phoenix Police Department is divided into seven precincts, and within those, 19 squad districts, which are further divided into patrol beats. The department also has specialty divisions including Cold Case-Homicide, the Gun Enforcement and Intelligence Squad, and the Violent Crimes Bureau. Most PPD officers begin their careers in patrol to earn the experience required to work in specialized assignments. To qualify for promotion to sergeant, officers must have four years of service with the PPD and a bachelors degree.4
The PPD is dedicated to serving the people of Phoenix with a focus on community engagement. The department continually works to earn the trust and respect of Phoenix residents through its community policing efforts, which include teams to support outreach and community participation. The Phoenix Police Department also offers a Citizen Police Academy for citizens of Phoenix who would like to learn what cops at the PPD do and how they protect the city against crime. Other community programs include Block Watch, Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol, COPS Volunteers, and Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods .
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Arizona Sheriff Deputy Requirements
Arizona has 15 counties, each of which has a sheriffs office. The largest sheriffs office in Arizona is the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office , which employs approximately 3,300 officers and civilians.4 A sheriffs deputys minimum job requirements will vary by county, but they are similar to those for Arizona police officers.
Law Enforcement Training Academy
Welcome to the Arizona Western College Law Enforcement Training Academy We are pleased that you have chosen to pursue an exciting and rewarding career of serving others as a certified peace officer.
As in all of our programs at Arizona Western College , we view seriously the responsibility of educating and training future professionals. No matter how innovative a law enforcement agency may be the real strength of the organization lies within the people it employs. The quality of law enforcement officer that you will be in the future is, to a very large degree, dependent upon the quality of basic training that you receive.
AWC L.E.T.A. is fully accredited by Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training and complies with all recommended and existing AZPOST rules and regulations.
The basic training program is a 20-week curriculum. The intense training experience will challenge you mentally, physically, and academically. Training at AWC L.E.T.A. is accomplished through classroom lecture, hands-on training, and leverages the use of technology in order to provide you certification as an Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Peace Officer during the course of a 20-week training program.
Training you receive at the academy will provide the foundation for 21st century policing and establish your role as a servant to your community.
To get started on your personalized Academic Plan, visit the Academic Planning page or schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor.
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Contact Our Recruiting Team With Your Questions
We are committed to providing quality law enforcement services through community oriented, problem solving partnerships. We are looking for service-oriented individuals of good moral character who desire to share this commitment. Listed below are the job descriptions, minimum qualifications, desired qualifications, and employment benefits for the positions of police officer.
Northern Arizona University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Women, minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Police Officer Application Process
The application process itself also requires some time in order to be completed. First of all, you need to go through the job openings in order to find the best option for you. Once you land on the right offer, you need to make sure that you meet all the listed criteria and then submit your application. Follow strictly the requirements about the application submission and fill in your details correctly and completely. Failing to do so may disqualify you at the very beginning of the hiring process or at a later stage.
The processing time of your application depends on the agency you have chosen. Note that there are a lot of applications, so it takes time to process them all and get back to the candidates. Each police department has its own time-frame and procedures but generally, it takes about three to four months for an application to be fully reviewed, checked and a decision to be taken whether the applicant shall proceed with the hiring process or not.
It is advisable to utilize this time for getting prepared for the next steps of the hiring process the exams that you need to take. You can enroll in an online police exam preparation course like the one offered by PoliceExam911. You can learn how to master the polygraph test or check the Mastering the Police Interview course so that you are ready for those elements. You can also start your physical training and be ready to pass the physical abilities test.
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How To Become A Police Officer In Arizona
The Grand Canyon State is an excellent place to become a police officer, with high salaries and warm weather. Over 11,400 police officers were employed in Arizona in 2017.1 Police officers in Arizona work hard to protect the 7.1 million residents of the state, fight crime, and maintain order in the states communities. On this page, you can read about the minimum requirements for aspiring police officers in Arizona and find information about major police departments in the state.
Get With The Program The Candidate Advancement Program
Among the most difficult challenges faced by Police Officer recruits are the physical requirements of the Police Academy. To assist you in this area, the Los Angeles Police Department offers the Candidate Assistance Program to help you get physically fit and accustomed to the training style you will encounter at the academy.
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How Long Does Police Academy Last
Handling crimes and misconduct on an everyday basis is a complicated and challenging task. Every decision a police officer makes can mean life or death for them and the people around them. For this reason, it is vital that every single one of them is trained to the fullest extent, and this is where the police academy comes in.
Police academies are unique types of schools that provide law enforcement recruits the necessary skills and knowledge to do their jobs properly. They also offer certifications for police officers who wish to advance in their careers. All states in the United States have their own Police Academies.
The length of your stay in a police academy mainly depends on two factors. The first one would be the police academy you enrolled in. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, police training in various academies can range from four weeks to 6 months. However, this range excludes any field training that the recruit may need to take.
The second factor would be your performance. The objective of police academies is to produce the best law enforcers possible. Hence, they may require some underperforming students to retake particular subject. By doing so, they make sure that only qualified individuals receive the title of a police officer.