How To Become A Police Lieutenant

Explore The Chain Of Command In The Police Department With A Criminal Justice Degree Online

Police job descriptions: learn how to work your way up in the police department.

Promotions usually happen from within a police department. Before beginning your criminal justice degree online, if you are planning to become a police officer, you should know what the chain of command is. The following example is from the Los Angeles Police Department, but other police departments are similar.

Describe An Interesting Case Or Project That You Have Worked On As A Cop What Was Your Role And How Did You Work To Produce A Positive Outcome

This is a difficult question. I would like to think that all my arrests resulted in a positive outcome to someone. I certainly believe that when persons who are involved in domestic violence, burglars, murderers, child molesters, etc., when removed from free society result in a positive outcome.

I have been very involved in the Fraternal Order of Police for 25 years this organization allows me to aid in helping other police personnel and disadvantaged children/families in our community. Police personnel see the worst of humanity, getting involved in organizations like the FOP allow me to help others in ways that usually cant be managed during routine police performance.

What Do Related Occupations Make

If youre interested in how to become a police officer, you might also be interested in related professions. Working as a correctional officer, EMT or paramedic, firefighter, probation officer, security guard, gaming surveillance officer, game warden or firefighter might be on your radar. If thats the case, you can peruse the list of related occupations below, which includes average salaries:

What you earn depends on where you live, including the region, state or city. To help determine what you can expect to make in your particular area, our handy salary comparison tool can help.

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Additional Steps And Requirements

Applicants that pass the written examination may be invited for additional steps in the recruitment process, which may include:

• A physical fitness test using the Cooper Standards for Physical Fitness
• A panel interview
• Successful completion of the curriculum at the Police Academy, and
• A probationary period.

Please note: Passing the written examination or any other step does not guarantee selection for further steps. The hiring process can take anywhere from eight months to three years or more. The length of time depends on the number of applicants and the MTA’s hiring needs.

What Is The Employment Process

From there, the employment process to become a police officer in California is:

• Submit an application.
• You must pass a number of background checks that may include a polygraph. “Past behavior will be closely scrutinized,” reads the LAPD recruitment website, “and only candidates with the highest probability of success will be appointed as Police Officers.”
• Undergo a medical exam.
• Some counties also require a Personal Qualifications Essay . In Los Angeles, a score of over 70 is required to be added to a list of qualified candidates. You may re-take this test again in 6 months if you dont get a high enough score.

It can take anywhere between six months to a year to complete the hiring process.

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New York City Police Officer Job Description

The mission of the NYPD is to improve the quality of life in New York City. NYPD police officers work to maintain order and enforce local laws by preventing and investigating crimes and upholding the legal system. As the largest municipal police force in the US, the NYPD houses numerous specialty divisions, including bureaus dedicated to counterterrorism, housing, intelligence, transit and transportation, and detective and patrol services.1 Officers may also specialize in aviation, emergency services, highway patrol, or crime scene investigation. With so many departments and chances for specialization, there are always opportunities to pursue career interests and seek promotion within the NYPD.

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

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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

How To Become A Police Officer: Your Step

By on 02/10/2020

There are plenty of Hollywood movies out there that detail the rigorous physical training involved in becoming a cop. You might even be able to picture the obstacle courses, shooting ranges and tactical scenario training rooms. These are all important elements of police officer trainingbut they only make up one portion of the process.

Given the high level of responsibility and trust afforded to law enforcement, the standards for becoming a police officer are higher than what youll likely find in many careers. The specific standards and process will vary slightly based on the state, county or town youre applying to work in, but there are a few universal requirements to become a police officer you should be familiar with.

If youre wondering how to become a police officer, youre in the right place. Keep reading for a high-level breakdown of the path to pursuing a career in law enforcement.

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How To Become A Police Officer Or Detective

The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agencys training academy before completing on-the-job training. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 21 years old, and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.

Police Officer Salaries Across The Us

Salaries of police officers are based on many factors, including experience, skills and training. However, one of the most important factors is based on geography. Certain areas of the country pay more, but are often in areas that have higher costs of living. For more information about what police officers can make and where they can make it, check out the map below.

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Ways To Prepare For The Role Of Lieutenant

Simply being a first line supervisor may not adequately prepare you for the role of lieutenant what you do now can help you get promoted and prepare you for the duties of middle management

So you want to become a lieutenant. Whether you are a newly promoted sergeant or have years of seasoning, you can prepare yourself for your next role and be better equipped for the transition. Putting a plan together and actively pursuing opportunities to improve your skill sets will put you leaps and bounds over the rest.

Sergeants are first line supervisors. They are the workhorses of the supervisory staff and take care of a majority of the day-to-day operations. Sergeants supervise officers and ensure that calls are handled, reports are written, and arrests are made.

Lieutenants take on the role of manager. They must think broadly about the entire organization and its impact on the community. Their concerns include policy and procedure development and distribution, civil liabilities, public perception, strategic planning, and staffing. With these differences in mind you can begin shifting the way you view police operations. Start thinking like a lieutenant by imagining yourself in those shoes. Getting the proper perspective is a great start in preparation.

Strategies for PreparationWithout a doubt, those who prepare themselves for promotion will be more likely to win the race. Promotions dont just happen, you must work for them. Here are five ways to get started:

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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What Are Some Guidelines You Would Impart To Someone Preparing To Enter The Field

If you live in a location or plan to move to a location that hires from a Civil Service list, your position on that list is really all that matters. Prepare for the test.

Similarly, many young people spend a lot of their time and money pursuing a degree in criminal justice before they get hired. In a Civil Service state that degree will not help you till you score high enough for consideration. My personal recommendation would be to pursue a degree in a separate field that interests you that intersects with police work before you get hired and consider a criminal justice degree after hire.

Military, EMS, volunteer firefighter experience may prove to be a significant asset that can set you apart from the field of other applicants. Military service may also help by adding points to Civil Services tests if you qualify.

Hazards In The Line Of Duty

A police officers job can be dangerous, stressful and physically demanding. Police officers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all professions fatalities, while not common, are not rare either. Since 1925, 38 police officers in Phoenix have fallen in the line of duty, mostly due to gunfire and automobile accidents.

In short, if you have decided to become a police officer in Phoenix, first check whether PHXPD is hiring. If they are, you need to fulfill their minimum requirements, in addition to successfully completing the above-mentioned 8-steps.

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What Skills Do You Need To Be A Police Lieutenant

In order to drive yourself and your team to success, in a management position you need to have a broad base of skills. For success in this position, you effeciency with these skills is key: Emergency Management, Investigations, On Call Service, Regulatory Reporting, Safety Inspections, Evidence Collection, Emergency Transport, Interviewing Witnesses, Law Enforcement, Patrol Operations. For this role, you will need to be adept in with: Public Safety Software. Although every company varies in their requirements, these competencies will help you in this role.

Transformed inexperienced recruits into street-ready Police Officers via familiarization with police administration and legal procedures.

Advance Through The Ranks

From police officer, you can get promoted to higher ranks, starting with sergeant. You can qualify for sergeant positions after gaining five to 10 years of experience. Sergeants are low-level supervisors who oversee the officers and functions on a police squad.

After another year or two, you might get promoted to a middle-ranking position such as lieutenant, who manages several sergeants. After nine to 20 years in the police force, you can apply to a police captain position.

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What About Basic Training

Completing a basic police academy prior to your hiring is dependent on the agency you apply to. Some will only hire upon completion of the academy others hire you and then send you through the academy afterward. Check with the agency youre applying to for further information.

If youre from another state, keep in mind that California POST does not have reciprocity with other states. POST does offer a Basic Course Waiver process for out-of-state cops that you can learn more about here.

Police Lieutenantsalary In Detroit Mi

• Resume Critique

How much does a Police Lieutenant make in Detroit, MI? The average Police Lieutenant salary in Detroit, MI is $98,997 as of September 27, 2021, but the range typically falls between $85,238 and $103,653. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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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

New York City Police Officer Salary And Job Outlook

The starting salary for a New York City police recruit is $42,819, which is raised to $45,673 after six months.2 With typical step increases, an NYPD officers base salary is $78,026 after five-and-a-half years of service.2 Officers also earn additional pay for overtime, longevity, and holiday work. Those who earn higher ranks earn commensurately higher salaries for example, the top base pay for sergeants with the NYPD is $103,584 per year.2 All officers are entitled to paid vacation days, paid sick leave, competitive health and life insurance programs, and various retirement plan options.

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Picking The Right Program

Once you know which program level you want to pursue, its time to figure out which one best suits your needs. When researching the schools that make it onto your all-important shortlist, keep the following questions in mind:

• Is the school regionally accredited?
• Can you afford the tuition?
• Does the timeline fit with your future goals?
• Does the program have a high success rate?
• Does the program provide POST exam prep?

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:

• An essay
• 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

Skills Needed To Be An Effective Supervisor/sergeant

There are many skills required of effective police sergeants, both at an interpersonal level and in terms of tactical skills. Like any good supervisor, a police sergeant should be versatile, adaptable and patient. In many instances, a sergeant deals with situations that are uncommon and challenging, and these traits will be critical. Such instances might include personality issues with officers, work ethic issues, conflict among officers and community relations issues in which emotions run especially high.

Sgt. Fors believes an effective sergeant should possess the following five qualities:

A sergeant also needs to be a good negotiator and mediator. In many instances, a sergeant not only has to implement the administrative goals of a department, but must also protect and defend patrol officers from politics and unreasonable requests for duty, said Sgt. Fors. This can and will be challenging.

Sgt. Fors, in his two decades on the force, has seen his many patrol officers advance through their departments and move into leadership roles. In his own experience as both an officer and a mentor, he has given and received his fair share of valuable advice for aspiring police sergeants:

Erik Fritsvold, PhD