| What do I need to know about becoming a police | | | | enforcement. Most colleges and technical schools |
| officer? There are a lot of things to consider when | | | | have these types of courses and you will need to |
| thinking about becoming a police officer. First you need | | | | meet enrollment requirements for the school that you |
| to take courses in math, science and computer | | | | want to go to. |
| applications. Graduate with a good solid GPA. If you | | | | Getting and keeping at least a B average will also help |
| are post high school, you will need to go to tech school | | | | you with employment on a police force. Keeping your |
| and take many law enforcement courses. Another | | | | grades up will help you a great deal when applying to |
| thing to consider is the joining and serving in the military. | | | | be a police officer. In any schooling situation, good |
| Two or more years will give you the experience | | | | grades and attendance are paramount to getting more |
| needed to apply. Keeping your record clean and | | | | than a passing glance when it comes time to apply for |
| yourself free from drugs is paramount. Passing a lie | | | | the police force. Education is the main driving force |
| detector and drug screen is also required. You will also | | | | because the more education and the higher grades |
| need to talk to a senior officer about getting hired. | | | | that you can maintain will help you very much when it |
| Aren't There Specialty Schools For Police Officers? | | | | comes to filling out applications for being a police |
| Yes there are, but to gain entry into one, you must be | | | | officer with any police department across the nation. |
| accepted to the police force. There are courses at | | | | What If I Have A Record? |
| technical college and special colleges as well that will | | | | Depending on the type of record that you have, then |
| aid you in getting prepared. This is also dependent on | | | | being a police officer may be out of reach. If you have |
| where you want to be as far as a police officer is | | | | a felony, then forget about being a police officer. The |
| concerned. If you want to be State or Highway, then | | | | rules are very strict on this one statement. Any police |
| there are additional things that you must do in order to | | | | department wants someone that does not have a |
| be considered for employment with a police force as | | | | police record. They usually take it on a case by case |
| a police officer. Each division of the police force has | | | | basis, but certain felonies such as drug dealing or |
| their own requirements for acceptance into the police | | | | stalking are considered a no hire by all police |
| force. | | | | departments. If you have such a felony on record, you |
| What about Fitness Tests? | | | | will not be eligible for hire as a police officer. |
| There are indeed many fitness requirements to | | | | So, Keeping Myself Clean Helps? |
| become a police officer. Being physically fit is a | | | | Yes it does. Having a clear and clean record is a big |
| requirement for all police officers. Police officers have | | | | help when it comes time for hiring new police officers. |
| a very physical job, and being able to handle all the | | | | Most hiring is done by senior officers. They will look at |
| physical requirements is a must in order to be hired for | | | | everything, including a psychological profile, in order to |
| the job. You must be physically fit to apply for any | | | | determine who the best hire for that particular police |
| police officer job, and be assured that they will test | | | | department is. This is a final matter in hiring. If you want |
| you to determine your fitness for the job. If you are | | | | to increase your chances of being hired as a police |
| found wanting, then they will not hire you. This | | | | officer, then keep yourself clean, stay in school and |
| requirement is set in stone. There is no way around it. | | | | don't break the laws. This won't guarantee you being |
| Are There Any Other Courses That I Can Take? | | | | hired, but will give you a fighting chance to find a place |
| Yes, there are other courses that you can take. Most | | | | in the police force. Being physically fit will also give you |
| Criminal Justice classes will have a basic knowledge of | | | | an edge in the candidate pool. Being mentally sharp will |
| the Criminal Justice system. This will also help you to | | | | also go a long way to help you in your pursuit of a law |
| understand what it is that is required for law | | | | enforcement career. |