What Is The Job Descriptionof A Police Officer
The primary duty of a police officer is to protect people and property. Common duties of police include:
- controlling traffic
Even as a senior officer in the police force, roles vary. You perform the following tasks:
- Assign police work of varying difficulty
- Deploy staff for community engagement
- Investigate complex cases
- Ensure that officers follow procedural regulations
- Review case histories of all stakeholders on a case as required
- Provide directives to officers about policy development
How Does Police Academy Training Work
No matter which program you choose, before beginning work at a police department, you will have to enter a police academy for formal training. This training will consist of various elements that prepare you for life as a police officer, including training it the classroom, field training that walks you through the rigors of the day-to-day work, and in-service training that allows you to begin working with the public on a probationary basis. Heres more about police academy training:
Classroom education
The classroom curriculum will focus on a variety of subjects, ranging from the law itself to administrative and department procedures. Cadets will also learn not just what the law is, but how to apply it in the real world. For example, a police officer may know that probable cause is required for a warrant to conduct a search, but what about the exceptions where a warrant isnt needed? Or what should the officer do or say if an individual contests the validity of the warrant? Much of this classroom training will be necessary before field training can take place or to put the hands-on skills into context.
Field training
In-service training
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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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 Police Officer In California
Like most of the country, California is in need of police officers here’s what you need to know
It doesnt get much better than the Golden State. From the stunning sequoias in Yosemite to the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica, California truly has something for everyone.
And with a total of 509 law enforcement agencies in the state, there are plenty of places to choose from. Here’s how to become a police officer in California.
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What Are The Minimum Requirements
Heres a look at the minimum requirements to become a police officer in California. Keep in mind that the majority of police departments in the state follow POST requirements. You can find the agencies that dont here their requirements may vary, but are likely to be similar to the below:
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must be a citizen of the US through either naturalization or birth.
- You must have attained either your high school diploma or GED. Some agencies may require a 4-year degree or an associates degree.
- You must have a valid drivers license.
- No felony convictions or misdemeanors that prohibit ownership, possession or control of a firearm.
What Is The Hiring Process
There are some barriers to employment in public safety that do not apply to most ordinary careers. You should be aware that the application, selection and appointment process may take four to six months to complete, and in some circumstances, up to a year.
After a relatively simple initial application process, a promising candidate must successfully complete the following:
1. Take a written test.
2. Pass a physical agility test.
3. Sit for an oral board interview.
4. Pass a background evaluation.
The pre-employment background check will look at a number of things, including criminal record, credit history, military record, current and previous employment history and references.
While there are certain infractions that automatically disqualify candidates, including all felony convictions as well as misdemeanors that prohibit the possession of a firearm, such as those involving domestic violence, agencies may be willing to work with you if you’ve demonstrated a clean record in the years leading up to your application. For example, the city of Durham, North Carolina, will consider applicants with a DUI conviction more than five years prior to application class A and class B misdemeanors may also be permissible if they likewise occurred more than five years prior.
Dishonorable discharge from the military, however, is another automatic disqualifier, as is a flagrant history of financial irresponsibility as demonstrated through a candidate’s credit report.
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Enrolling In A Police Academy
Before you get to this stage you must have known what it takes to become a cop. At the police academy, you are prepared for the rigors of one of the worlds most stressful, high-stakes, and intense occupations.
Police academies consist of several weeks of specialized training in the following areas:
- Firearms
- First aid
- Criminal and crime scene investigation
Generally, police training academy can come before or after being hired as a cop. So, its important to stay fit and sharp to pass the tests along the way.
Also, studying is vital because failing in any academic or practical are can lead to your failing the entire academy.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer
The process of becoming a police officer requires a significant investment of your time. The duration varies and depends on how quickly and accurately an individual completes the forms and assessments. This also depends on the police agency you apply at.
The CPS states that their process takes between 3-6 months to complete. The RCMP doesnt provide a set duration for the entire process their cadet training takes 26 weeks. At the VPD, the recruit training alone takes up to 44 weeks in total.
Generally, you can expect to set aside 6 months for your application process. We recommend that you contact the police agency that youre interested in to find out how long their process takes from start to finish.
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Resources For Police Officers:
- Fraternal Order of Police: With over 2,100 local chapters, the FOP is a voluntary membership organization working to promote officers interests. Its involved in political outreach, community service, and labor representation.
- International Association of Chiefs of Police: The IACP is an advocacy organization looking to improve the quality of policing via policy. Its initiatives include providing officer training on countering human trafficking and conducting a census of law enforcement agencies on tribal lands.
- International Police Association: As a fraternal police organization, the IPAs primary mission is to promote friendship among its members, who are active and retired law enforcement professionals.
- National Association of Police Organizations: NAPO is comprised of various police professional organizations and unions from across the United States. NAPOs overarching goal is to protect and promote the interest of police officers through education and political activity.
- National Black Police Association: The NBPA not only represents current and retired African American police officers, but also is active in improving relationships between police departments and African American communities.
Complete The Required Training
Candidates must complete the Basic Recruitment Training Program through a training school certified by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission in order to become a law enforcement officer in Florida.
This program is designed to help entry-level law enforcement officers prepare for their roles in the field. It teaches practical skills and runs simulated activities that are complementary to lessons learned in the classroom. The curriculum includes studies such as legal concepts, patrolling skills, arrest procedures, responding to disturbances, resolving vehicle incidents, directing traffic, crime scene and courtroom procedures, explosives, first aid, and more.
The Basic Recruitment Training Program is an in-person course only and cannot be taken online. Candidates may be exempt from taking this training program if they have served as a sworn-in law enforcement officer in another state for a minimum of one year or as a special operations officer in the armed forces for a minimum of five years with no dishonorable discharge.
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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
Impress At Your Police Officer Interview
Many hopeful applicants will be offered an interview during the hiring process. This is an opportunity to get to know you on a personal level, and sometimes that can be enough to land you that coveted job. Here are some questions you might encounter during that interview:
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What Does It Take To Be A Police Officer
There are going to be 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales, according to the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
So with so many potential jobs up for grabs, we wanted to find out what it takes to become a constable in 2019.
Is the fitness test really hard? Do you need to pass lots of exams? Can you join straight from school?
Jo Noakes, director at The College of Policing, explains some of the basic eligibility requirements.
Police Officer Jobs By Jurisdiction
Another aspect of law enforcement to take into consideration is the jurisdiction of the agency you want to work for. Across the U.S., there are city, county, and state levels of law enforcement. City police officers stay within city limits and often patrol the streets or work on citywide investigations. Police detectives usually require a bachelors degree as well as experience in street patrol.
County law enforcement typically consists of a sheriff and several deputies who serve warrants, subpoenas, and respond to rural civil disputes. Bailiffs and constables are under the sheriffs department and often serve the courts.
State law enforcement officers patrol highways, interstates, and county roads the jurisdiction of a state patrol officer is designated to a region of the state and includes those jurisdictions covered by city and county officers. Each law enforcement agency, no matter the size, has specialized units such as narcotics and SWAT, and offer specialized training through the academy for each unit.
Federal agents often travel across the nation or are assigned to various states, which can be a bit unstable if you have a family. For example, working as a federal air marshal requires air travel across the nation to secure domestic and international United States flights. The hours and requirements can be physically and emotionally demanding with little recovery time between assignments.
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What Does A Police Officer Do
In the simplest sense, police officers enforce laws and protect life and property. But of course, there is much more to it than that. Heres how it breaks down:
Policeofficers are sworn to protect and serve the communities in which they live andwork. They enforce laws, obtain warrants, arrest and interview suspects, securecrime and accident scenes, write detailed reports and testify in court, amongother duties. Officers often respond to emergency calls, working shifts thatoperate around the clock.
The specific duties of a police officer will be numerous and diverse. Based on appointment, length of service and training, they may work with a K-9 unit responding to suspicions of drugs or dangerous weapons in vehicles and other property. Or, they might take a role on the SWAT team where they need to know tactics and procedures for working under dangerous conditions. Much of their daily routine will involve patrolling a certain area, such as a portion of a town or city. As they move up the ranks, they may investigate crimes ranging from petty theft to murder.
Winnipeg Police Service Physical Abilities Test
The WPS-PAT is conducted in a gymnasium with the applicant wearing clothing appropriate for physical activity and consists of:
- Running 400 metres over a six lap course. This includes climbing up and down stairs, jumping over low obstacles.
- Following the six laps the applicant moves to the push/pull station where they will pull and push against 80 lbs of resistance while moving in a controlled half circle. Two controlled falls to the chest are completed after each group of three pulls or three pushes. This sequence is repeated twice.
- Following the push/pull station the applicant completes the test by lifting and carrying 80 lbs a distance of 50 feet.
- The WPS-PAT test must be completed within 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
Note: A WPS-PAT certificate in not required to apply, is valid for one year and must be completed prior to the panel interview
Applicants selected to proceed to the P.A.T. will be notified by email.
Helpful information about the WPS-PAT:
- Training Tips: How to prepare for the WPS-PATNew
- For further information, please visit the University of Manitoba Recreation Services website
- For training opportunities specific to the WPS-PAT please visit the University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba for their Law enforcement conditioning camps
University of Manitoba Tactial Conditioning course
We do not provide photocopies of WPS-PAT certificates.
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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.
Prep For Your Basic Abilities Test
In order to enter a police academy and get hired in law enforcement, you might be required to take a written basic abilities test to measure your reading comprehension, cognitive reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
The purpose is to make sure you have what it takes to successfully complete your academy training. The test is not overly difficult, but it would be wise to look over the sample questions and test overview, which you can probably see after you register for the test.
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Police Academy And Training
Everyone has to start somewhere, and for police officers, that is the police academy. Expect your police academy training to last approximately six months. During that time, you’ll receive basic law enforcement training to prepare you for the next step in your career: field training.
As grueling as the academy training is, the field training officer program is that much more difficult. The FTO period lasts between 8 and 12 weeks, and you’ll need to put all of your academy training into practice. Everything you do will be evaluated to make sure you really have what it takes to do the job of a police officer. If you make it, you’ll move onto your next step: probationary solo patrol.