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So you want to be a cop, walk a beat, and protect your fellow citizens from harm. Way to do your civic duty! If you meet the necessary age and background requirements, this guide will help you get on your way to becoming a police officer.
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Police Application Tips
- Spend some time determining if you qualify to become a police officer before obtaining an application.
- Think about what kind of officer you'd like to be: beat cop or local sheriff? State or local?
- Start a training regimen well before the physical agility test so you are in great shape to pass.
- Study for the written exam with a study guide or practice tests.
- Be honest throughout the application process, even when it comes to past indiscretions.
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Introduction
Whether it was the first time you watched Law & Order, a police officer you remember from childhood who's served as a role model ever since, or simply have a love for performing public service, wanting to become a police officer is a noble goal. It is also one that will require quite a bit of patience throughout a lengthy application process.- Though not everyone can become a police officer, if you've done well in high school, are in good physical condition and can pass a series of tests (including a background check), you're in a terrific position to apply for a job that will likely be as rewarding as it is demanding.
Step 1: Determine if You Qualify
Applying for a job as a police officer isn't quite the same as walking into your nearest Starbucks and putting on an apron. You'll need to jump through a few hoops before you can get into the academy and earn a badge. Remember 30-year police veteran Deputy Bob Cooley's admonition that becoming an officer is not just "a game of cops and robbers" as you go through the process, and you'll realize how important these steps are.- NOTE: Before you apply, research the type of cases your prospective department handles. While all police officers help maintain law and order, a sheriff's deputy will have different duties than a rookie cop in a big metropolis.
Age and Education
- Though you'll need to check with the police force you wish to apply with to determine their exact education requirements, here are a few requirements that hold true for most departments.
- Most police forces require prospective officers to have a high school degree (or GED equivalent), and may want to see coursework in criminal justice at the undergraduate level.
- A period of active military duty may fulfill the education requirement, and some have suggested that a couple of years in the military is great training for police work.
- Police forces such as the LAPD or NYPD both require you to be 21 years of age at the start of service (though you may begin the application process sooner).
- The NYPD will not take applicants over the age of 35, unless they have served in the military, in which case applicants may "deduct up to six years" from the age requirement.
- Because it can take some time, once you know you wish to apply to become a police officer, you should obtain all your transcripts from high school, college, vocational school, or copies of your record from any military service.
- NOTE: In some parts of the country, such as in Florida and Michigan, police academies are separate from police force training, so if you hope to become a police officer, this is the route you take to get there. Some colleges now offer police academy-like training as well.
Background
- If you've made bad choices in the past that have resulted in legal action, an arrest, or a blemish on your character, you may not be accepted by the police force.
- Leading up to your application to become a police officer, be sure to "use common sense." Anything you do that is morally (or legally) questionable can be grounds for disqualification during the application process.
- In general, these are the actions that will disqualify you from police work:
- A conviction for which you served one or more years in prison
- Repeated convictions that show a "disrespect for the law"
- Dishonorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces
- A conviction for domestic violence
- Irresponsible choices regarding drugs and/or alcohol
- "Falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting information on any document or during the selection process"
- Any red flags within your financial or driving records, such as "multiple traffic violations"
- The city of Los Angeles provides a guide to background standards that you can use to determine if you will qualify for work as a police officer.
- Note that standards vary between departments and regions.
- Get a copy of your driving record from the DMV to determine if you've had multiple violations that may jeopardize your application.
- If you see anything that seems incorrect, now is the time to question your record.
- You'll also want to obtain a credit report to check for any financial inaccuracies.
- See Mahalo's guide to getting a free credit report for more information.
- Many police forces have a no smoking policy, so if you are a smoker, now is the time to kick the habit!
- You will also want to dig deep and make sure that becoming a police officer is really what you want, and can handle.
- Ask friends and family if they think you're cut out for this profession, as well.
- Then try contacting your local police station to ask if they have what's called a "ride-along program," in which you'll spend a day or more with an officer to get a better sense of what the job is really like.
Step 2: Begin Your Application
- If you've determined you're qualified and ready to become a police officer, it's time to start the application process.
- You'll want to go to the police department for which you plan to apply and obtain an application, preferably more than one in case you make errors.
- You will likely need to submit a photograph as well as your fingerprints as part of your application.
Prepare for a Written Examination
- Most police departments will require you to take a written exam covering various questions. Check with your local department to determine what will be covered.
- Obtain a study guide if one exists for the examination in your area.
- Take time to review it carefully, quizzing yourself and taking any practice exams that are available.
- Be sure to find out if you need to pre-register online and what the date of the upcoming exam will be.
- Written exams may cover topics such as deductive reasoning, memorization, written expression, and reading comprehension, among other topics.
- Be sure to bring extra #2 pencils and pens and also dress comfortably but appropriately. This may be your first impression on an officer proctoring the exam who may have a say in your hiring. Torn jeans, flip flops, and other too-casual wear should stay at home.
Step 3: Prepare for Physical Fitness and Other Tests
- Almost every police department will require some kind of physical fitness test. Prepare for it well ahead of time, and be ready for a few other tests, too.
Physical and Mental Fitness Exams
- Ask your local police department what the physical agility test will cover. Many physical fitness tests ask applicants to run, perform sit-ups, push-ups, and a "dummy drag."
- If you're not as strong a runner as you'd like to be, don't wait for the test instructor to tell you that. Start building running into your training now so that you will do well in the exam. Building your endurance takes time, so start training early!
- The city of Los Angeles provides a terrific training program to prepare you for its physical exam. Including a four-month preparation schedule, this is one of the most comprehensive training programs designed to prepare you for a police officer's physical agility exam.
- On the day of the exam, it's a good idea to bring water or an energy drink to the exam to keep yourself hydrated. A towel and clean change of clothes won't hurt either.
- Other aspects of the physical exam may check your vision, hearing or other means of physical strength. To become a police officer in Washington, DC, for example, you must have vision of at least 20/100, correctable to 20/30 in both eyes.
- It may not be a bad idea to get a physical by your doctor to be aware of any weak areas you'll need to address before applying to the force.
- Some police forces will require you to meet a standard for body fat percentage, as well.
- And you'll need to have a psychological examination, too. You will likely need to disclose prior treatment for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and any other episodes for which you have been hospitalized.
Drug Test
- Drug tests checking for drug and alcohol use are part of the your application to be a police officer.
- Obviously the best (and easiest) way to pass this test is to abstain from using drugs or alcohol.
- Even if you avoid drugs and alcohol for long enough that you pass your drug test, if you've had bad experiences with drugs and alcohol in the past, it will likely come up in your background check or physical evaluation, so if you truly want to become a police officer, simply don't do drugs and don't drink alcohol.
- Also be aware that drug tests will likely continue throughout your service on the force.
Lie Detector Test
- You'll need to take a lie detector, or polygraph, test to verify some questions you've answered already about your application. Yes, it's nerve-wracking, but try to remain calm and it will be over before you know it.
- Wear comfortable clothes to the exam. The LAPD, for example, suggests business casual.
- Avoid taking any medications before the exam, as you will likely be asked if you have taken anything, including drugs or alcohol, in the past several hours.
- Make sure you are well rested, not ill, and have had a good meal before your polygraph exam.
- Listen carefully to the questions so you do not answer incorrectly.
- And just tell the truth.
Interview
- If you've met the requirements up to this point, you'll also likely be required to sit for an interview with a senior officer.
- The senior officer will ask questions to determine if you are psychologically sound, have good judgment and character and are responsible enough to handle moral dilemmas.
- You'll also likely be tested on your ability to communicate and how you relate to others.
- If you're nervous, try some relaxation techniques beforehand so you come across as relaxed and confident.
- Be sure to dress appropriately for the interview, meaning suits for men and women, or a coat and tie for men and a conservative dress for women.
- Almost all police department interviews will ask, "Why do you want to become a police officer?" so have your answer to that question ready. Otherwise, simply answer truthfully and to the best of your ability, trying not to pause heavily as you speak your answer lest it seem like you are unsure or are trying to hide something.
Step 4: Stay Out of Trouble!
- It probably goes without saying, but what may seem like a minor lapse in judgment can have a major effect on your application to become an officer.
- Part of your application will involve an extensive background check. Members of the hiring committee will be asking detailed questions of your family and friends as well as agencies such as the FBI, Department of Motor Vehicles, and police departments anywhere you've lived in the past. You don't want your old high school buddy to remember something you conveniently "forgot" to disclose on your application.
- The best way to succeed in the background check is to have been on good behavior all this time!
- And throughout the process, don't forget to "be yourself." If you create a persona throughout the evaluation process that you ultimately can't live up to, you'll be setting yourself up for failure from the very start.
Conclusion
- Once you've passed the tests, it will be time to start your real training and go to police academy. It'll be harder than the movie, but also more rewarding. And surviving the application process means you're well on your way to successfully training at the academy, proving that you have what it takes to patrol the streets. And if you have the patience, mental strength and physical ability to become a police officer, it can be one of the most rewarding, albeit stressful, professions you can choose. Good luck!
Resources for How To Become a Police Officer
- eHow: How to Become a Police Officer
- LAPD: Academy Physical Preparation
- LAPD: Background Standards
- LAPD: Qualifications
- Metropolitan Police Department: Become a Police Officer with MPD
- Monster.com: How to Become a Police Officer
- NYPD: Become a Police Officer with the NYPD
- NYPD: Notice of Examination
- Police Link: Joining the Force: Everything You Need to Know
- Police Link: So You Wanna Be a Cop
- Police Link: Ten Steps to Joining the Force
WARNING: Requires free sign-up. - The Princeton Review: Career: Police Office/Manager
- Wikipedia: Police Officer
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