What Is Needed To Be A Police Officer

Attend Police Academy Training

To become a police officer, you first need to attend the police academy. Your training will include:

• Classroom education: This will provide an overview of law enforcement, including criminal investigation methods, laws and regulations, arrest and detainment procedures, and approaches to public safety and policing in general.
• Refining your skills: During your training, you’ll refine skills like stress management, negotiation, and communication.
• Field training: This will introduce you to administrative duties, how to properly use a firearm, defense tactics, vehicle operations, the proper use of force, and how to handle hazardous materials.

Earning A Degree To Be A Cop

Part of what makes the preparation for a police officer job such a puzzle is that there arent any definite answers. Educational requirements for police officers vary from state to state and from police department to police department, as well as across different law enforcement jobs. There is no one specific course or program of study that is meant as a major for police officers.

However, there are some degree paths that are more relevant than others to the work of law enforcement officers. Many aspiring police officers choose to major in criminal justice, police science, political science, public administration, paralegal studies and homeland security or emergency management. These programs of study give you practical skills or foundational knowledge or both to help you be a better police officer.

For example, going to college for one of these majors may help you develop qualities like communication skills, perceptiveness, the problem-solving skills that lead to good judgment, empathy for others and leadership skills, which the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported are among the most important characteristics for police officers. You might also learn the fundamentals of the most important knowledge areas for police officers, which O*NET identifies as public safety and security, law and government and psychology, among others.

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

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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

Job Outlook And Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median pay in 2018 for police officers was $63, 380. The BLS also estimates that the employment of police officers and detective is projected to grow 5% from 2018 to 2028, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Although demand for officers may vary by location, in general, the continued need for public safety is expected to lead to new job opportunities.

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What Is A Police Officer

Police officers are tasked with defending and protecting people. As part of this, they have the power to arrest and detain you if you are accused of breaking the law. It might be that they are focused on making sure drivers follow the rules of the road or respond to emergencies. Here they work to restore order and safety. They are also tasked with taking detailed reports of what happened and any action that was made.

Get The Right Police Education & Training

There was a time when becoming a police officer was as simple as graduating high school or earning your GED, then attending a short training academy before diving into on-the-job training. And though those opportunities do still exist, especially in smaller departments, most departments have raised their standards of education to at least two years of post-secondary work. This means pursing an associate degree in law enforcement or a related field, such as criminal justice, criminology, or police science should be the first option to consider. The associate degree can then serve as a stepping stone to the bachelors degree, which then leads to graduate degree options.

However, other routes to the profession do exist. In addition to the on-the-job training after completing academy training, there is also the military option. Those who work as military police or in a similar capacity while serving their country can be perfectly suited to move into a police force after their military time is up. Lets take a look at the options.

Associate Degree in Law Enforcement

Bestfor? Those who want to stand outagainst the competition, or need a basic college degree to apply fora particular job opening.

Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement

Best for? Those who have the time and financial resources to earn a four-year degree, want to work in federal law enforcement, or anticipate future professional advancement.

Masters Degree in Law Enforcement

Military experience in lieu of a degree

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What Skills Does A Police Officer Need

Learning how to become a police officer requires the development of specific skills. According to the BLS, these include the following:

Communication. Officers should be able to speak with and record data from colleagues and community members, as well as express information effectively both verbally and in writing. Empathy. Officers should understand the diverse perspectives and needs of the communities in their jurisdictions while enforcing the law and assisting the public. Judgment. Officers should use common sense and relevant knowledge to address problems and resolve issues appropriately. Leadership. Officers should be comfortable with guiding, correcting, and directing community members as needed. Fitness. Officers should have enough strength and stamina to perform the challenging physical aspects of their responsibilities.

How To Become A Police Officer In The Uk

The traditional route into policing was to apply directly to one of the country’s police forces, follow the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme by completing a two-year probation period before becoming a police constable. This training contributed towards passing your Diploma in Policing.

While the IPLDP is currently being phased out, some forces still allow entry to the programme, with this path open to both graduates and non-graduates alike.

However, to ensure consistent standards across the UK’s forces, the College of Policing has worked with chief constables to create a new system of entry according to the policing education qualifications framework that reflects modern policing techniques and the use of digital data in investigations.

Three routes are now available:

Whichever of these three options you choose, you’ll hold a degree-level qualification in professional policing by the time you’ve completed your probationary period.

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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

What Does The Assessment Centre Involve

If you want to join the police service, you must be successful in a number of recruitment stages one of these is the assessment centre. The assessment centre usually takes place over the course of a day and you will be asked to undertake a number of observed activities and tasks to test key areas of competency. When you are assigned to an assessment centre, youll be given information by your force on what to expect and how to prepare. Due to COVID-19, some forces are running assessment centres online, if you reach this stage, the force you are applying to will share more information on this. Find out more about the application process.

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Pass A Law Enforcement Exam

Passing a law enforcement exam may also be required to become a police officer. These exams often include:

• A written exam with various true and false questions, short essay questions, and multiple-choice questions is designed to test your knowledge about the job. These may test your mathematical skills, grammar, reading comprehension, decision-making skills, and logic in scenarios you may encounter while on the job.
• An oral exam may be given in the form of an interview to test your general presentation and communication skills.
• You may also be required to write an essay to test your ability to use logic, express ideas and thoughts clearly, and provide reasoning for your logic as well as the evidence needed to support your claims.

You must pass this entrance exam to be accepted into the police academy.

The Level Of Degree Needed To Be A Police Officer

Of police officer jobs that require more than a high school diploma, the degree level expected usually fits into one of the following categories:

• An associates degree or the equivalent amount of college credits . An associates degree is an undergraduate course of study typically completed at a community college or junior college. Full-time students can typically complete an associates degree in two years.
• A bachelors or baccalaureate degree or the equivalent amount of college credits . Bachelors degrees are usually offered by four-year institutions and provide a more comprehensive undergraduate education that includes upper-division coursework.
• A masters degree or graduate certificate. Graduate-level study is more advanced and, often, more specialized than undergraduate coursework.

A 2017 report by the National Police Foundation found that an associates degree was the most common level of education for this career field, accounting for the highest level of education of 51.8 percent of sworn police officers in America. Just over 30 percent of cops reported having a bachelors degree, while more than 5 percent of officers had gone to graduate school. If you opt out of going to college entirely, your career prospects in law enforcement will be limited, and you will have to compete for jobs against candidates who are, for the most part, more highly educated than you are.

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Police Officer Salaries In Ontario

The provincial hourly rate ranges from $30.05-$57.69/hr with a median hourly wage of $46.15/hr. The salary range for police officers in Ontario is $56k-$117k/year, while the median annual salary is $97,115/year.

The median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Toronto was $107,627. The median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Ottawa was $105,533, and the median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Hamilton was $106,485.

The starting salary at the Toronto Police Service is $70,643.30/year. By the fourth year, expected the annual salary to be $100,923.48/year. Benefits include paid vacation, family medical and dental benefits, life insurance, pension plan, and paternal and maternity leave.

The starting salary at the Ottawa Police Service is $67,615.92/year. By the fourth year, depending on your performance reviews, the annual salary is expected to increase to $99,434.93/year. Benefits include education reimbursement programs, a generous pension plan, medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, as well as long-term disability insurance.

Meanwhile, if working for the Ontario Provincial Police , the average salary is roughly $100,500/year.

Here is a list of average salaries for police officers in Ontario, according to Glassdoor:

How Do I Become A Toronto Police Officer

The following points outline the process for becoming a police constable with the Toronto Police Service

• Obtain an OACP Certificate of Results from www.OACPCertificate.ca
• Complete medical forms with appropriate physicians for hearing and vision standards
• Complete an ongoing fitness log logs from the most current two-weeks may be requested at any time
• Submit Toronto Police Service online application
• Complete the Leger 20m Shuttle Run, obtaining a minimum of Level 7
• Pre-Background Questionnaire and written Local Focus Interview
• Blended Interview and Local Focus Interview )
• Complete the Minnesota Multi-Phasic Personality Inventory
• Background Investigation
• Psychological Assessment
• Successfully complete the Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police test, as well as the Leger 20m Shuttle Run, obtaining Level 7
• Conditional Offer of Employment Pending Medical Examination
• Cadet-in-Training at the Ontario Police College

Please be advised that the process for becoming a Police Constable is competitive and as such, an applicant may be declined at any stage of the process.

If you have any questions regarding the above information, please contact a member of the recruiting section.

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How To Become An Ontario Provincial Police Officer

Interested in joining the Ontario Provincial Police? Here are just a few of the minimum qualifications needed to beat out the competition:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have an Ontario Secondary School program diploma , or equivalent
• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Must have a value Class G license with no more than six demerit points.
• Must not have a criminal record
• Must be certified in standard first aid and CPR
• Must pass medical, psychological, security, and financial assessment tests

Another must for the OPP? Being in top physical condition and having a willingness to serve. The latter is one to consider as detachments range from being located in large urban areas to small, isolated settings. When applying, you must pick your top six locations.

If you become a successful hire, the Constable Selection System requires a medical assessment be completed. This includes meeting the hearing and vision standards.

Check out this self-assessment tool to see where you stand.

Required: Other Aspects Of Your Application To The Police

During your application to a Police Force, you will have to go through extensive background checks. If you have lived outside of the UK for any period of time, these may take longer than usual, but it does not mean that you wont be able to join!

You will also have medical and fitness tests to complete. The fitness test is not intended to scare you off, but is there to make sure that you are physically fit enough to be able to do your job as a Police Officer effectively. If you fail the first time, there is no need to worry, as you will be able to retake it up to 3 times. However, if you dont manage to pass it the 3rd time, you will have to wait 6 months to be able to reapply to any Police Force again.

You will also be required to complete components such as a written assessment, which tests your basic English comprehension and writing, verbal reasoning, and maths skills. This is likely to be accompanied by an interview.

There are courses which are available to help you prepare for these components, and one example can be found here. Make sure that you do your preparation for these tests, so that you feel comfortable during your application process, and are able to put yourself in the best position for success possible.

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Obtain The Necessary Education

A high school diploma or GED is typically the minimum level of education required to become a police officer. College degrees, such as a bachelors degree, are recommended though since it will most likely appeal to prospective employers and set you apart from other candidates. Consider obtaining a bachelors degree in criminology, police science, public administration, homeland security or criminal justice, especially if your goal is to work your way up to detective.

Regardless of which major you choose, be sure to see how OnlineDegree.com could help you as well. You can take free courses toward your degree and utilize tuition discounts weve organized at universities across the countrywe provide all of this for free as part of our mission to make college a reality for everyone.