What Education Is Needed To Become A Police Officer

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• Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Interest in analyzing information to investigate crimes and accidents

DIRECTIVE

Interest in driving when patrolling assigned areas to maintain public safety and order and in enforcing laws and regulations and arresting criminal suspects may supervise and co-ordinate the work of other police officers

SOCIAL

Interest in speaking to the public when participating in crime prevention, public information and safety programs

The interest code helps you figure out if youd like to work in a particular occupation. Its based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory , which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means its a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

In their daily work, police officers perform diverse duties ranging from patrolling communities, enforcing the law and apprehending criminals to promoting traffic safety and responding to domestic disputes. Police work does not always involve a physical act of protection or the apprehension of a law breaker. It also involves activities related to:

• Responding to dispatched calls for service
• Crime prevention

Opportunities within various police agencies may include:

• Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

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Q What Does A Police Officer Do

Police Officers do many things while they are on the job.

Sometimes, they are patrolling the streets to make sure that no crime is happening.

Other times, they are investigating murders, robberies, or other crimes.

You can typically find Police Officers where there are large groups of people, like fairs, concerts, or festivals.

They are there to keep civilians safe.

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Police Education Requirements By City

The education required for prospective police officers can vary widely between major cities. For example, the New York City Police Department requires that candidates have earned at least 60 college credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 if they have not previously served in the military, and the Houston Police Department requires 48 semester hours of college with a GPA greater than 2.0 for non-military applicants. Currently, Minnesota is the only state that requires a two-year degree to become a peace officer statewide, while most other states POST educational requirements are more lenient. The Arlington Police Department and the Tulsa Police Department have among the most stringent educational requirements for law enforcement recruits, as both require those without a military background to have a bachelors degree.

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How Are Police Officers Trained In The Us

In developing its professional staff, the United States Capitol Police empowers individuals to reach their full potential, ensuring professional growth and career opportunities within the Department. The United States Capitol Police

The United States boasts having one of the most trained and professional police forces in the world. Becoming a police officer involves years of rigorous training. Even then, there is no assurance that you would fully qualify to become a full pledged police officer.

Becoming a police officer is more of a passion than a means of employment for many people. They find satisfaction knowing that they are contributing to keeping their country safe and peaceful. Police officers are often chosen not for what they have done, but rather what they could do to serve the country.

This is why most states do not require applicants to have any bachelor degrees. A high school degree is already sufficient when applying for officership. Nevertheless, the training they undergo assures that they are well equipped when facing real life scenarios.

Going Back To College While Working Full

Law enforcement officers looking to promote are often left with the question how do I find time to earn my masters degree with my unpredictable work schedule and numerous family obligations? For many working in criminal justice, the answer lies in an online degree program designed for working adults a program that allows students to balance their schedule while earning a degree in a realistic timeframe and without having to drive to campus.

The University of San Diegos online masters degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership is one such program designed specifically for experienced law enforcement professionals. Students in the program range from newer officers interested in eventually advancing to command staff positions to current law enforcement administrators looking to refine and improve their leadership skills. No matter what stage of their career a student is in, one highlight of the program is the practical application of learning concepts to the daily working environment of students. Program alumni Jennifer Tejada, retired chief of police from Emeryville, California said, Theres experiential learning and theres academic learning, and I think we need both. Another alumnus was able to put his practical and academic learning to use right way. Brent Kaneyuki from the Sacramento Police Department said I was promoted to Lieutenant the same day I completed the LEPSL program. I attribute much of my recent success to the program.

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Pros And Cons Of Becoming A Police Officer

This isnt an 8 to 5 office job. Its an on-your-feet, always-alert, out-and-about career. And while thats a good thing, it also comes with a few downsides. Heres the straight story on what to expect in a career as a police officer:

Pros:

• Job stability: Police officers work for the local, state, or federal government, which dont generally go bust or downsize like companies.
• Benefits: Many government agencies, unlike most private companies, still provide pension plans so people can comfortably retire not to mention life insurance policies and more time off.
• Advancement opportunities: The combination of job stability and retirement benefits leads to a fairly consistent hierarchy in constant need of new people moving up the ranks.
• Training: Police officers receive excellent training that can be used beyond their careers in police work, should they want to go into private security, firearms training, or similar work.
• Sense of pride: In a 2016 study of law enforcement officers, 58% reported feeling proud of their work nearly always or often.
• Collegiality: Like other coworkers, police officers bond over shared duties. But those bonds are reinforced with constant teamwork in the face of danger.

Cons:

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.

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Associate Of Science Or Associate Of Arts

Following close behind the postsecondary certificate, according to O*NET OnLine, the second-most common degree recommended for cops is an associate degree, with 24% of respondents recommending this degree.4 An associate degree is a two-year degree that can be found as an Associate of Science , Associate of Applied Science , or an Associate of Arts , comprising about 60 credit hours of coursework. Degrees focusing on law enforcement, police science, criminal justice, or related fields like homeland security or forensic science provide the most useful training for prospective or current police officers. An associate degree in law enforcement may include courses such as Community Relations, Firearms, Criminal Procedures, Loss Prevention, and Forensic Investigation.

Police Officer Salary And Job Growth Expectations

Salaries in law enforcement vary significantly. Your salary will depend on whether you work in a rural area or a large city, whether you have seniority or youre fresh out of the academy, and whether you take overtime or leave at the end of your shift.

That said, the median detective and police officer salary nationwide was $63,380 as of May 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Those working for the federal government did especially well, earning an average of $87,130. You should also calculate the value of benefits into the compensation package. Police officers typically enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, medical and life insurance, and uniform allowances. Plus, thanks to pensions, they can often afford to retire at a younger age than most.

As for getting into the field, the BLS projects job growth of 5% nationally for police officers from 2018 to 2028, which is on the low side for such a typically stable occupation. However, this outlook depends heavily on city and state budgets, which can fluctuate. The low rate of growth will create stronger opportunities for police officer applicants who hold a bachelors degree in criminal justice or a related field.

The top 10 states for police and sheriff patrol officer earnings in 2018 were:

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Whats It Like To Be A Police Officer

Police Officers serve to protect public life and property. They undertake extensive on-the-job training and perform a diverse range of duties, including: maintaining public order and safety being first responder to emergency calls investigating and prosecuting criminal offences enforcing traffic law securing and examining crime scenes and dealing with violent offenders or people under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Police Officers in Australia are required to carry a firearm and must pass a series of background checks and psychometric, fitness and medical tests.

Police Officers interact with members of the public daily and must be adept at resolving disputes, de-escalation, and remaining calm under pressure.

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 bachelor’s 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 bachelor’s degree are often found at the federal level. However, even if a four-year degree isn’t required, getting a bachelor’s degree can be a prudent decision: it can increase the chances of getting hired and promoted.

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Requirements For Becoming A Police Officer

Becoming a police officer requires completing the necessary formal training and education as well as demonstrating mental aptitude and physical fitness. Again, some of the specific requirements may vary according to location or organization. Generally speaking, however, aspiring officers should be prepared to prove themselves in the following ways.

The Ability To Make A Difference

Becoming a police officer also allows the opportunity to make a positive impact in a community, down to the individual level. Police officers can improve the quality of life and peace of mind of the citizens they serve, whether by responding promptly to an emergency call, keeping children safe at a crosswalk or offering assurances after a home break-in. Beyond that, police officers are in a unique position to make a difference through simple daily acts of kindness and heroism.

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Hearing And Eyesight Requirements

Officers may be required to demonstrate a particular level of acuity with their seeing and hearing. As an example, the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, requires officers to have 20/20 vision or better, with certain allowances made for the use of contact lenses or glasses. Additional requirements include an ability to discern different colors and demonstrate strong peripheral vision.

Meanwhile, the City of San Diego requires âpure tone threshold testing for each ear separately at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz.â Special considerations are mentioned for officers who wear hearing aids, specifically requiring them to demonstrate a high level of speech comprehension.

Police Officer Hiring Process

The police officer hiring process is much different than that of any other job. It is not simply attending an interview and then being approved for the position. In order to become a police officer, you need to undergo a series of tests and each of them can disqualify you. The entire process is quite competitive and each police department can put more importance on a single element of the process rather than on the other. Nevertheless, the hiring process consists of several elements that are common for each agency no matter if we talk about local, state or federal law enforcement.

Once your application is accepted, you need to be tested in order to prove that you have what it takes to do the job. This includes checking both your general knowledge, writing skills, physical abilities, and your background. Here are the steps that you need to successfully pass through, in order to become a police officer:

• Physical ability test

The physical ability test checks the fitness of the candidate and their readiness to face the physical challenges of the police officer job. Basically, there are two approaches adopted by the agencies into performing the PAT: the job simulation method and the fitness-based method. In both cases, it is a pass/fail test and the applicant must meet certain criteria in order to pass. Check with the department which of the two approaches they use and train for the test.

• Medical exam

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Finish Your Field Training

The learning doesn’t stop after graduation from the academy. There’s still a field training program to get through.

Field training teaches candidates what it’s really like to work on the street. You take on progressively more responsibility as you are evaluated on every aspect of the job, from your investigative abilities to your observance of officer safety and everything in between. Of course, once you’ve finished field training, the real learning begins, as you get on-the-job training patrolling the streets on your own.

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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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.

How Do I Make Myself More Marketable

California is a highly desirable state to work in, so it doesnt hurt to stick out from the bunch. Having an associates degree in Criminal Justice can be highly beneficial. If you dont have that, it doesnt hurt to take some criminology classes to boost your knowledge and expertise. Are you bilingual? Awesome! Many police agencies in the Golden State are searching for candidates who can speak in other languages in addition to English particularly Spanish.

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Police Officer Job Outlook

Job security matters to everyone. In fact it may be more important than overall salary after all, whats the point in having a well-paying career if no jobs are available? The overall expected job growth for police officers is 5%, which is the exact job growth for all career fields in the United States.

Like salaries, however, job growth will depend heavily on location, as certain areas, especially growing cities, will be adding to their police force, while other cities may actually be eliminating positions. Crime rates, according to the BLS, have been falling, but a demand for police to maintain and improve public safety will fuel job increases.

One of the main challenges, however, will be the low rate of job turnover. People hired in this career rarely leave unless they are promoted unlike other careers where people take jobs, work a couple year, then transition into different jobs. This increases competition for these jobs, which makes the need for education all the more important. People with degrees in law enforcement, criminology, multiple languages, and beneficial skills can greatly increase their chances of being hired.