Requirements To Become A Police Officer
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There are many who aspire about how to become a police officer. It is a job which involves upholding and enforcing laws with the aim of preserving peace and stability in society. Police officers go through extensive training to meet the many demands of the job.The requirements for what it takes to become a police officer often vary from state to state. As such, it is important to do adequate research into the requirements of your particular state or city when beginning the application process. Listed below are the general steps involved in becoming a police officer.
How To Become A Police Officer
General Police Program Requirements
Ontario college police programs require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, with a grade 12 English credit. Additional requirements will vary by institution.
Along with academic requirements, physical and mental competency testing, First Aid training and a Police Record Check could all be required. Volunteer experience in the community will be seen as an asset.
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Step : Minimum Qualifications
First, you must determine if you are eligible to become a Peace Officer in Georgia. According to Georgia Law you must meet or be willing to meet all of the criteria below to become employed or certified as a peace officer:
Police Training Academies In North Carolina
The North Carolina Justice Academy sets police officer training standards for the state. Many state and local agencies utilize the Edneyville and Salemburg campus facilities, instructional services, and professional staff for training. Basic, intermediate, and advanced training for law enforcement officers is offered here, and topics such as anti-terrorism, community policing, criminal investigation, traffic crash investigation, and self-defense are covered. Basic Law Enforcement Training is for entry-level individuals and covers firearms, driver training, motor vehicle law, arrest, and search and seizure.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Academy offers its own BLET school that is 29 weeks long, located in Raleigh. Additionally, numerous community college throughout the state partner with local law enforcement agencies to provide BLET training to recruits as well as tuition-paying students. These BLET programs include:
- Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville, NC
- Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC
- Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
- Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC
For more information about the BLET curriculum, see the NCJA website.
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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.
Job Outlook For Texas Police Officers
For those that plan on going into law enforcement in Texas, the future looks bright. Police and sheriffs patrol officer jobs are expected to increase by 9% In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employed the second-highest number of police officers last year, 51,980, with New York state being a close behind.
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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
Step : Post Application Physical Examination And Fingerprints
Once a background investigation is complete, register on the Georgia POST website as a new user so you can begin your online application. It is essential that you complete this application correctly or your admittance to the Basic Training Course will be delayed. There are several attachments to the application as well as a requirement for a physical examination and a requirement that you are fingerprinted. You should go to Georgia Applicants Processing Service to be fingerprinted. Physical examinations generally cost about $30 and the fee to be fingerprinted is roughly $53. If you have any questions, contact your chosen academy for assistance.
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Policing Jobs And Salaries
Graduation from a police program prepares you for work in a number of fields, including :
- Private investigation
- Customs
Note: For each of these positions, further testing will likely be required. Police officer applicants may be required to show proof of completion of the Ontario Chiefs of Police Certificate examination.
Starting salaries in the policing field are in the low $30,000s per year, but tend to rise after your first-year probationary period. From there, your salary will increase with experience.
North Carolina Police Jobs Outlook
The outlook for cops in North Carolina is positive. Through 2026, the state expects to see jobs growth in law enforcement positions of around 9.1%.7 Including replacements, an anticipated 1,700 average annual openings for police and sheriffs patrol officers should become available during that time period.7 Applicants with a bachelors degree or experience in law enforcement will have a better chance of being hired than those with none. With an average police salary of $47,440, North Carolina offers prospective cops a good place to start their careers.4
For more information current law enforcement openings, take a look at our police jobs page.
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Pass The Licensing Exam
The next step to becoming a police officer is to earn a passing score on your states police licensing board exam. Your education and training will prepare you to take the Peace Officer Standards and Training exam.
Each state has its own licensing board, so the tests will also vary. But generally speaking, most POST exams cover topics like: practical application and techniques, civil and criminal law, community policing, victims rights and management and communication. By passing this capstone exam, you are licensed to become a police officer and enforce the law in your jurisdiction. You are now free to seek employment with a police department.
Do You Need A Degree To Be A Cop
To be completely clear, formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree is not actually a strict requirement for becoming a police officer. However, many departments across the country are requiring at least a two-year degree, while others are placing a strong emphasis on hiring 4-year college graduates.
Even when not an official requirement for a job opening, having your college degree will be immensely helpful in the hiring process. Despite the fact that these are extremely challenging jobs, there can be lots of competition for positions, so having a formal degree, in addition to the required police training, will make you a more attractive job candidate.
Not only will a degree enhance your chances of being hired, it will also increase your chances of being promoted. At some point in your career, you may want to move into leadership roles, such as a captain or sergeant having a bachelors degree in an appropriate area will make you more likely to find promotion.
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Becoming A Police Officer
Police officers are society’s shield from lawlessness and violence. Their duties include: protecting members of the public , keeping neighborhoods free of crime, enforcing society’s laws, and apprehending the perpetrators of crime. They are the most recognizable members of the law enforcement community, and are often considered the face of the U.S. Criminal Justice System.
In the United States, police officers are employed at the federal, state, and local levels, although federal police officers are more commonly referred to as law enforcement agents. Despite statistics that show a decrease in overall crime in many areas of the country, the recruitment and training of new police officers remains high due to society’s demands for sophisticated officers, and because of increased fear about crime and terrorism. Over the ten year period from 2018 to 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% increase in demand for this Protective Services job that falls under occupational classification 33-3051.
Below is a five-step guide on how to become a police officer:
How To Become A Police Officer In Texas
Becoming a police officer is no easy task. The selection process is long and demanding with a long list of requirements.
Once candidates make it through the hiring process, they go through extensive training to develop the skills essential to upholding societal law and order. For those who make it through this arduous selection process and graduate from police academy, however, working as a police officer can be an extremely rewarding career.
If you live in Texas and have decided that a career in law enforcement is for you, well go through the necessary steps youll need to take in order to be a successful applicant.
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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.
What’s 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.
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Salary And Career Outlook
Police officer salaries vary depending on many factors, including job type, location, and additional compensation and benefits. Some police departments even offer higher pay for officers with college degrees and who speak multiple languages.
| Career | |
|---|---|
| POLICE OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES | $65,170 |
According to the BLS, the lowest-paid police officers earned less than $37,710, while the highest-paid officers earned an annual salary exceeding $109,620 as of 2019. Police officers often earn additional pay through overtime and special assignments.
In this field, individuals can increase their salaries through education and job experience. According to the BLS, detectives and federal agents earn the most of all police officers, taking home a median annual salary of $83,170 as of 2019. Aspiring federal police officers and detectives typically must possess a college degree and prior job experience.
As the need for public safety continues, the BLS projects employment for police to grow on pace with other occupations. Demand for police officers varies by location and depending on state and local budgets. Due to low job turnover, police candidates may face competition. Candidates with college degrees, law enforcement or military experience, and knowledge of other languages may stand out among job applicants.
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.
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Military Experience In Lieu Of A Degree
The educational requirement mandated by hiring agencies is typically waived for candidates who have previously served in the military. Veterans of the US armed forces or other uniformed services are given priority, mainly because their training, experience and learned skills translate well into law enforcement. Candidates with military experience must prove that their retirement has been finalized, that they were honorably discharged, and that they are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to serve as police officers.
Benefits Of Earning A Policing Degree
While a policing degree is not required to become a law enforcement official, a policing degree from Laurier helps enhance the career and earning potential of an individual who wants to pursue a career in this field.
Graduates with a bachelors degree in policing will have an advantage when pursuing leadership positions and promotions. In addition to becoming a police officer, some of the top job opportunities for graduates include emergency management specialist, crime analyst and security director.
Additionally, the earning potential is higher for graduates with an online degree in policing. Higher education can translate into higher wages than a high school or college diploma alone. Earning a bachelor’s degree can earn you over 30 percent higher earnings than high school graduates.
In terms of salaries in Canada, a police officer earns an average of $93,000 per year. The average security director salary in Canada is $99,000. And a detective sergeant can earn in excess of $121,000 annually.
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Successfully Pass A Background Check
You can expect any law enforcement agency youre applying for to conduct a number of checks into your background, including criminal history and even credit history. While this isnt literally the first step to becoming a police officer, it is the first one youll need to consider before you get too invested in the process. If you have concerns about how your background might impact your candidacy, you may want to consult a police academy admissions representative about it.
Your credit history may be analyzed because it gives potential employers an idea of your level of responsibility and potential problems like gambling-related debts. Police departments look into applicants history of criminal activity, employment, residency and academic records as well.
Basically, the police department is going to get deep into your business, says Adam Plantinga, and 17-year veteran sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department. Dont leave anything out on your background packet. If you omit something, even inadvertently, and it comes to light, you will likely be eliminated as a candidate. Departments are looking for responsible people who play by the rules.
Things like felonies and gross misdemeanors could disqualify you from becoming a police officer, but less serious offenses could also be problematicit really depends on the department and its policies.
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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