How To Start The Police Academy

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 program’s 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. You’ll 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.

Find Your Career Path

Once you have completed all of the requirements to become a police officer, your experience as a uniformed officer can lead to even more diverse opportunities in the field. There are numerous opportunities within law enforcement for you to exhibit your skills and knowledge. Depending on your level of education and experience in the field, you may have opportunities open to you within specialized divisions of law enforcement, such as becoming a detective, working in specialized drug units, fish and game wardens, or even for SWAT teams. At higher levels, police officers may even be eligible to find careers in immigration, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, or even the U.S. Secret Service.

How To Train For The Police Academy Physical Test

The key to success is to start training early for each part of the test

By Matthew Loux, Faculty Member, Criminal Justice at American Military University

Making it through the police academy is a must if you want to become a police officer. But while the academic components are certainly rigorous, many recruits find the physical fitness requirements to be especially challenging.

To pass the police academy fitness test, individuals need to prepare, both mentally and physically. While each police department runs its own version of the physical test, all tests are designed to test endurance, body strength and agility, as well as the mental determination of each candidate.

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Signing Up For The Police Academy Means Hard Days Ahead

Besides the academic requirements, recruits have to be proficient in several areas considered to be high liabilities. These subjects include firearms, defensive tactics, first aid, and vehicle operations. The high liability courses involve long and grueling days.

Recruits may spend hot summer days outside on the firearms range, or they may sweat it out on the mats in defensive tactics. Due to the intensity of the training, injuries are common.

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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.

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Professional Ethics And Deportment

The purpose of this course is to examine and practice ethical and professional behaviors to prepare students for making ethical choices during their time at the academy and in their professional public safety careers. Students are required to produce and follow a personal code of ethics, work as a team, and to exhibit behaviors and values that are consistent with the expectations of the profession and the public.

Hours:30

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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Improving Body Strength Though Push

Push-ups are another part of the police fitness test. The HPD test requires 25 continuous pushups. In order for a push-up to count during the test, the candidate must use proper form and the chest must briefly touch the floor.

To foster proper form for push-ups, arms should be held close to the body and core stomach muscles should be tightened. There are many different types of push-ups that increase arm and chest strength:

Incline push-ups performed by placing your hands on a stable platform higher than the ground. Start with leaning on a wall, bed, or sturdy table and work your way down to a surface about 6 inches off the ground.

• Wide inclined push-ups performed by holding the hands in a wider position than shoulder width.
• Weighted push-ups performed by wearing a weighted vest.
• Wide push-ups performed by placing the hands outside shoulder width during each push-up.
• Diamond push-ups performed by placing the hands on the floor to form a diamond between the index fingers and thumbs during each push-up.

All of these push-up exercises strengthen the upper and lower body, especially the chest area. They also strengthen core muscles.

Candidates should start by doing 100 push-ups a day. I recommend that you start with finding the maximum number of push-ups you can do at one time. Over time, start to increase the number each day until you can do 25-30 push-ups at one time and repeat the exercise over time until you have accomplished 100 push-ups a day.

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

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Law Enforcement Degrees & Training

Graduate From The Police Academy

After meeting the basic requirements and passing the law enforcement exam, you will attend a police training academy. Training at the police academy consists of the following:

Classroom education

In classroom training, future police officers gain an overview of law enforcement as a whole, including laws and regulations, criminal investigation methods, arrest and detainment procedures, as well as the various approaches to policing and public safety.

They also refine skills such as interpersonal communication, stress management and negotiation as well as develop a deeper understanding of ethics and cultural sensitivity.

Field training

In the field, future officers practice defense tactics, administrative duties, properly using a firearm, handling hazardous materials, vehicle operations and the proper use of force. Additionally, they may be required to interact with the public as well as simulate common or complex scenarios to practice problem-solving, investigation and

During this phase, candidates may begin to receive entitlements, allowances, and benefits, depending on the department. Once they have learned all the necessary skills, the trainees are ready to graduate and enter the field of policing.

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Ontario Police College Physical Component

As of September 2019, all applicants that have been offered a pre-employment letter by a police service will be required to successfully pass the PREP during their Basic Constable Training course at the Ontario Police College. The Ontario Police College is located in Aylmer, Ontario, which is the official training facility for all police constables across the Province.

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What Law Enforcement Looks For In New Recruits

Law enforcement agencies look for a few key traits in new recruits. The first is that you meet the standards for your age. You must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old when you graduate from the police academy to start your career. You are also required to have a valid drivers license and you must pass a background check. If you have been convicted of a crime, then you will not be accepted into the police academy.

The police agencies also require that you pass a psychological evaluation and that you have the legal ability to obtain a firearm. If you are not qualified to purchase a firearm, then you will not qualify for the law enforcement agency. The final consideration is the physical standards set by the police force. You must be able to pass the fitness test to qualify for your role as a police officer.

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What Do Police Look For In A Background Check

The background exam is a very thorough investigation of the applicants past. It is common for the hiring parties to speak to colleagues, family members, neighbours, landlords, as well as present and past employers. This helps to determine whether you have a track record of high ethical standards in all areas of your life. You will be required to provide your criminal record, driving record, credit history, and history of alcohol and drug use. Additionally, you will need to pass a polygraph exam that shows whether you have been dishonest or deceitful in answering any of the questions throughout the application process.

When applying to police agencies, you will be disqualified if*:

• You have matters pending at a criminal court
• You participated in any indictable offenses. These offenses are the mostserious of criminal activities, which include murder, sexual assault, and terrorist activities.
• You have a criminal conviction that has not been pardone.
• You participated in less serious criminal behaviour or activity within one year of applying. These activities are referred to as summary conviction offenses under the Criminal Code. They include illicit drug use, theft, and impaired driving.
• You have been dishonourably discharged or dismissed from any other law enforcement organization
• You have a pending or current personal bankruptcy

Prepare For The Written Test

Now that you are familiar with structure of the police written exam, you have to start preparing for it. As we have already mentioned, your first source of information should be the department you are applying with. They will provide you with the details as to what type of test they use many states use the National Police Officer Selection Test . Some police agencies will use tests developed by third-party companies or develop their own tests. This information is of paramount importance for your prep process.

The next thing to do is to find relevant test prep books, guides and sites that can help you ace the exam. There are also plenty of free prep materials so make good use of them too.

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Life As A Police Recruit

A day in the life of an academy recruit may include a 5:00 a.m. wake up for morning physical training. This might consist of a morning run or calisthenics. After PT, the recruit will have breakfast and then a short time to get cleaned up, showered, shaved and in uniform for the day. Before class, there may be a morning inspection and push-ups for rule violations.

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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?

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The Alabama Police Academy: A Great Way To Start A Career In Law Enforcement

Law enforcement careers are assured after completing the rigorous Alabama Police Academy program. Applicants must pass a Class A physical examination as well as a valid Alabama drivers license in order to be admitted. Students in the training program are expected to live in a LEA housing facility during the week after completing the course. In Alabama, police officers are not required to have a college degree, but many do. College-educated officers usually have more experience and knowledge than officers who only have a high school diploma or an engineering degree.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer In Ontario

There is no set time period for the hiring process. It varies between police agencies and also depends on the successful completion of all the stages in the application process. You can expect to set aside 6 months for the application process.

If you are not successful in any part of the process, some police agencies may require a one-year waiting period before another application can be submitted.

To find out how long it takes at the police agency of your choice, contact the police agency directly.

You can also read more about the general guidelines for becoming a police officer in Canada here.

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What Are The Different Police Academies

There are two distinct types of police academies. In either academy, you can decide to enroll without first being hired, though you will have to pay tuition to attend. If you enroll without first being hired, you can apply to be a police officer after receiving your certification, but they may ask you to complete an additional training course.

The two types of police academies are:

• Police-run academy: In a police-run academy, recruits are typically new hires to a police force going through basic training before starting the job. If this is the case, the recruits earn their starting salary while attending the police academy. Since the recruits are law enforcement employees, not students, these academies are often more intensely disciplined.

Lauriers Online Bachelor Of Criminology And Policing Degree

Our online Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Policing prepares you for a career in criminology and justice. Focusing on practical techniques and real-world experience, it delivers an engaging curriculum designed to improve your critical thinking and analytical skills. The fully online and asynchronous criminology courses provide you with a broader view of public safety through a combined focus on criminology and policing. This degree can help enhance the career and earning potential of an individual who wants to pursue a career in criminology and policing.

Now is the time to kick-start your career as a police officer in Toronto. Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Policing or Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Policing today:

• for details on curriculum, tuition and more

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