Is It Easy To Be A Police Officer

Police Officer Education Requirements

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If youre interested in becoming a police officer, youll need to begin by graduating from high school. The field of law enforcement is increasingly more competitive, so pursuing a two- or four-year college degree will give you an edge in the job market.

For example, Boston University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice that provides a comprehensive overview of the law enforcement field. This four-year program explores the cause of crime, public policy and justice-related tools for practice. Youll take classes like:

Principles of Criminal Justice
Sociology of Minority Groups

Electives will allow you to specialize in particular areas of interest.

Some jurisdictions will allow you to attend a police academy provided by the department to learn the basics of serving as a patrol officer. Youre usually paid for your time in the academy. The opportunity to be promoted or assume supervisory roles in law enforcement may be limited if you dont earn a college degree.

Become A Police Officer: Step

In Georgia, the peace officer certification process is regulated by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council . Therefore, some of the processes and paperwork you must complete will be through POST, while others will be completed directly through the GPSTC regional academy where you will receive your training.

Students attending basic training who are not employed by a law enforcement agency are referred to aspre-service candidates. Below are the steps that pre-service candidates must take before being accepted into a police academy to become certified as a Peace Officer in the state of Georgia.

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

The total amount of time it will take to become a police officer in Texas from application to probation completion is about two years. This does not include any university or college education prior to application.

The application itself takes about 3-4 months and the hiring process takes 3-4 months. After that, you can expect to set aside 6 months for police academy, and another 6-12 months for a probationary period before becoming a full-fledged peace officer.

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What Does A Police Officer Do

A police officer’s duties are both administrative and active. At the police station, a police officer prepares written reports, conducts interviews with witnesses and suspects, obtains warrants and replies to inquiries from individuals in their community. A police officer also has many responsibilities outside of the police station. They respond to calls for emergency services, arrest suspects and perform investigations of accidents and crime scenes.

A police officer uses many skills while on the job, including critical thinking, listening and collaboration with other law enforcement professionals. A police officer exercises good judgment and makes quick decisions to deescalate conflicts. They may also be responsible for patrolling designated areas to protect property and citizens.

Texas has 254 counties and each county elects a sheriff. The county sheriff is responsible for the county jail, court security, bail bonds, and civil process. Sheriffs deputies must meet the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement minimum requirements for law enforcement officers. The Sheriffs Association of Texas Training is responsible for training and certifying sworn officers who will be working for sheriffs offices in Texas.

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You May Get Injured Or Even Die

There will always be the risk to get injured or dying during your shift as a police officer.

You will just have to live with the fact that your life could be over anytime.

Many police officers just have a hard time dealing with this fact and try to suppress it.

However, some police officers quit their jobs after a while due to the dangers they no longer want to be exposed to.

Decide If The Career Is Right For You

Do you consider yourself brave, honest, and physically fit? Before beginning your journey to become a police officer, the first step is determining whether you possess the necessary police officer qualities. The work of a police officer is not for everyone. Those that are most suited for this career possess the following qualities:

Physical fitness
Communication skills

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Federal Police Force Salary & Benefits

If youre interested in the federal police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police offers new hires $53,144/year with an incremental increase to $86,110 within 3 years of employment. Benefits include paid vacation days, an RCMP pension plan, medical, dental and family health plans and group life insurance. The RCMP also offers generous maternity and parental allowances as well as financial support for continuing education and professional development opportunities.

Texas Police Officer Requirements

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The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement sets statewide minimum requirements to become a Texas police officer. Although the TCOLE sets the minimum standards for law enforcement recruitment, departments may set requirements above the TCOLE minimums. For example, many departments require an associates degree as well as a higher age minimum.

The minimum guidelines set by TCOLE to become a Texas police officer are as follows. Candidates must:

Be a US citizen, by birth or naturalization, at the time of application
Be 21 years old OR be 18 years old with an associate degree or an honorable military discharge
Be a high school graduate or hold a high school equivalency certificate OR show proof of an honorable discharge from the US armed forces after at least 24 months of active duty service
Hold a valid and current drivers license
Not have any history of felony convictions nor of convictions for disqualifying misdemeanors

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Pass The Post Exam & Become A Police Officer

In order to work as a police officer, aspiring applicants must pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training or Police Officer Standards and Training exam. Commonly known as the POST exam, this is required for each state except Hawaii . Each state has subtle differences in their testing procedure, requirements, and the test itself, so its important to do in-depth research on the test your particular state requires.

Examsfor police officers include not only the POST written examination which includes an evaluation of grammar, reading comprehension, andwriting but other points as well, such as physical agility,medical health, psychological fitness, background review, and an oralinterview. Some states might add other requirements, such as apolygraph test. Once these tests are satisfactorily passed, graduatesare ready to work as police officers. The procedure it takes to getfrom passing the tests to wearing the badge depends on the state andin some cases, the department itself.

Step 6

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

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Preparing For A Police Officer Career: Find The Right Environment

When an aspiring police officer chooses to go to school to obtain formal education, a world of possibilities opens up. Here are some of the potential places where the certificate or degree can be earned.

Vocational/Trade School

Some vocational or trade schools have certificate programs that may count towards college credit, such as for a future associate or bachelors degree. Some might offer associate degrees. Vocational or trade schools can provide a way to save money on college costs while receiving necessary college course instruction.

Military

Military experience is well regarded by law enforcement agencies and police departments. Familiarity with firearms, mental toughness, physical conditioning, discipline and an understanding of command structure and culture are all benefits that come with hiring a recruit with military experience.

Community College

Community colleges provide multiple options for students who want to become police officers. Students can complete their associate degree in two years or a certificate in a few months. As an added bonus, many community colleges allow credits earned in a certificate program to go towards an associate degree.

Law Enforcement School

4-year schools

Departments that require a bachelors degree are often found at the federal level. However, even if a four-year degree isnt required, getting a bachelors degree can be a prudent decision: it can increase the chances of getting hired and promoted.

The Hours Are Irregular And Long

The bad guys don’t call it a day at 5 p.m., so neither can the cops. Police departments are responsible for patrol 24 hours a day, and that means officers need to be staffed at all hours.

You may work permanent shifts or rotating shifts, but no matter how you slice it, shift work can be hard on your social life and your family life.

On top of the late nights or early mornings, you’ll have to give up a lot of weekends and holidays, so when the rest of your buddies are enjoying that Memorial Day barbecue, you’ll probably be on patrol.

An Easy Way To Get Hired As A Police Officer

One of the most enviable professions in recent times is law enforcement. It comes with an attractive salary package, incredible benefits, and a substantial pension plan .

These incentives cause many people to apply to the law enforcement agency, creating enormous competition to get hired. While some give up, others find a secret to getting easily hired, and that is by gaining a POST Certificate before applying for the position.

The Peace Officer Standards Training Certificate is an important requirement to become a police or peace officer in a country, state or community. In the past, applicants have to apply to the law enforcement agency first.

Upon approval, it gives them the enrollment in a police academy, where they receive the requisite training to gain the POST Certificate. After this, the agency will swear them as a police officer and they eventually become a police officer.

Even though this process has been successful over the years, the high number of applicants at the law enforcement agency has created enormous congestion. Because of this, some smart applicants are going to the police academy on their own to receive the POST Certificate, and then get back to apply for a job with the law enforcement agency.

This new process has proven successful for many people. But the flip side is that you can have the POST certificate, and still fail the tests required to get hired as a police officer with the agency.

Five Months Before Separation

Actively research the job market in your chosen geographic area, and career field.

Make sure you have budgeted and saved enough to get you through your transition.

Continue to attend job fairs, career fairs, and any TAP related events. Four Months Before Separation

Make sure your Education and Training Records is in order.

Contact your personnel office for assistance with planning your relocation and visit Military.com for your free Moving Kit and up to date relocation information.

Schedule your Separation Physical Exam

Continue to build your network on PoliceLink.

Contact your military housing office to begin planning your check-out.

How Much Money Will I Make

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Police salaries vary between locations and governmental agencies, but overall pay is generally average to slightly above average than it is for most jobs in the U.S. Police1 publishes a regularly updated guide to police salaries that explains the ranges in pay between agency types, how overtime and promotions impact salary, and more.

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Potential To Work With Animals

If you want a career that lets you work with animals, a police officer may be a good option for you. Police officers often train dogs to detect illegal substances and participate in search and rescue operations. Training a canine for police-related tasks is an intensive process, and a police officer with an affinity and command of animals can succeed in preparing them for fieldwork.

The Background Check Will Be Thorough

Be prepared to share any skeletons in your closet. The background check for police employment will be detailed and in-depth. It most likely will include a criminal history check, a credit check, and a look into your previous employment. You’ll be asked questions about any past drug use and any undetected criminal behavior.

On top of that, you’ll probably be subjected to a polygraph exam, a medical physical exam, and a fitness test. And all of that will often be just to see if the department should consider giving you an opportunity.

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He Fired At Officers Then Ran Armed Toward Others

To sum up, the alleged assailant shot at Phoenix police officers at close range, then created an active-shooter situation by running into a store with people inside.

Of all the crimes I can think of in this Valley, thats got to be in the top, top say, 10% of most calloused and brazen.

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If you shoot at police officers and then take your gun into a store where people are inside, count yourself lucky if at days end youre still breathing.

I probably dont have to explain the potential destructiveness of a bullet fired at police officers. A bullet can tear through an officer’s skull and brain and kill him. It can shatter his spinal column and paralyze him for life. It can also miss and hit someone else.

Regardless, its apt to provoke a strong reaction. As does someone running into a store with the same gun theyve just proved theyre willing to aim and fire at human beings.

Step : Interview With The Academy Manager

After completing the above steps, your chosen academy will contact you to schedule an appointment for an interview with the Academy Manager. This should be considered a formal interview, so please dress accordingly. The Academy Manager will determine the candidates demeanor and suitability to become a certified Peace Officer in the State of Georgia.

You Will See Things You Wish You Didn’t Have To

It’s the nature of the job. Once you get out of the academy, and probably while you’re still in field training, you’ll start responding to all sorts of calls, many of which will be tragic. Accidents, injuries, abuse, and death all will become a regular part of your week, if not your day.

Dealing with victims of crime and families of lost loved ones is difficult and painful, but it’s perhaps the most important part of the job of a police officerand one you’ll have to get used to pretty quick once you begin your career.

Meet The Police Officer Requirements

Every police department has its own set of applicant requirements. The specific requirements may vary depending on each state, however, many of police officer requirements are universal. If you are striving to become a police officer, specifically in the state of Connecticut you will adhere to standards of the Police Officer Standards and Training Council. In Connecticut, the standards for local police officers include:

Be a US Citizen
Have a high school diploma or GED
Be 21 years of age
Pass a written entry test
Have no felony convictions, nor have been convicted of any class A or B misdemeanors
Pass a background check
Have a valid drivers license

The POST standards are simply the minimum standards every Connecticut police applicant must meet. Some agencies will have stricter standards depending on their requirements. The standards for becoming a Connecticut State police officer differ slightly and include:

Be a Connecticut resident
Have a valid Connecticut drivers license before graduating from the training academy
Be at least 20 years of age at the time of application
Have normal hearing and color vision and meet all vision standards
Pass the physical exam, psychological test, and physical agility test
Have normal hearing, color vision and depth perception, and 20/30 vision
Have no tattoos or body modifications, such as piercings, that are visible while in uniform

Applicants must also go through a series of required examinations. These include:

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