A lot of people want to help to ensure that their communities are safe. One way to accomplish this is to become a police officer. Officers interrogate criminals and make arrests. As well, they assist people in emergencies.
The steps you must take in order to become a cop are different depending on where you intend to work. The majority of states have some type of criteria for “Police Officer Standards & Training.” The usual abbreviation of this is POST.
Below are 12 steps to prepare yourself to train to be a police officer.
- You must be a United States citizen or have your naturalization papers.
- You must be at least 21 years old usually, but this age can change with location.
- You have to go on a minimum of one police ride along for experience.
- Have your GED or high-school diploma.
- Some of the education requirements vary from town to town, even in the same state. So inquire about education and additional requirements at the police department that you want to join.
- Sometimes you are required to have 60-semester hours or an associate degree in criminal justice or related field.
- You have to pass an oral, written, psychological and/or polygraph exams.
- You need to be in good physical condition and pass physical fitness tests.
- Have a clear background check and criminal record.
- Look into POST classes at your local college.
- Apply to the police department you want to work at and be prepared for all the tests they will give you.
- Demonstrate that you can stay calm under stressful situations.
In order to become a police officer you need to research and prepare yourself with the above steps. Additionally, always be prepared for mandatory drug and psychological testing after you have completed your training.