How To Become A Police Officer

Lots of people want to become police officers and they get inspirations mostly from TV shows and cinemas. However, learning how to become a police officer is not an easy task. Competition in this field is very fierce and the emotional and physical demands are also very high. Therefore, proper preparation is essential for becoming a police officer. This is a highly rewarding career as well. As a police officer, you can make huge salary, high retirement packages, etc. You can also enjoy mental satisfaction by saving the life and property of persons. Staying fit and conditioned always is the physical advantage of becoming a police officer.

Job Description

A typical police officer must be willing to protect and serve citizens. They must be able to provide information to motorists and pedestrians. Bursting drug dealers, controlling riots, protecting politicians, etc are some of the routine activities of a police officer. The other responsibilities of a cop are:

* Patrolling specific areas,
* Conducting initial crime scene investigations,
* Assisting detectives,
* Appearing in court to testify,
* Serving warrants,
* Transporting prisoners,
* Watch for wanted persons/law violators and arrest them,
* Respond to emergency situations, traffic accidents, and domestic disturbances,
* Write traffic citations, Assist in riot controls,
* Escort and protect famous politicians, celebrities, and athletes,
* Escort convoys,
* Direct traffic,
* Write bulletins and reports, etc.

How to become a police officer

Physical training

Physical fitness is essential if you are very passionate to become a police officer. Most of the labors of police officers involve in some form of physical activities. They need to catch a fleeing suspect, need to conquer perpetrators, etc. You can attain physical fitness if you undergo some physical training. You can run a few miles every day and try to improve your physical fitness each time. You can also practice sprinting distances of around 100 yards or more. Besides, you must be able to run two miles within 16 minutes (8 minutes per miles), lift weights, able to do 20 push ups or 30 sit ups in a minute, etc. You can also hire a personal trainer for maximizing your performance. Joining in tennis, soccer and basketball team is also very effective.

Educational Requirements

You can earn a higher salary if your education level is very high. Therefore, attaining a bachelor’s degree in criminology, criminal justice, or business will be very good. Taking minimum one criminal justice course, foreign language class, psychology or public relation class, etc are also very essential. How to become a police officer is also include getting good grades and learning effective study habits. It is also essential to learn street names for common types of drugs, learning about the police department you are planning to apply, goals, statistics, history, and motto of each department, etc. Pursuing a master’s degree is also highly helpful for achieving your goal.

Police Skills

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Police Woman

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If you want to become an effective police officer, you must develop certain skills. Listening victims, and superiors is a part of your job. You must also have writing and typing skills, ability to make snap judgement, etc.

Learning some basic disarmament and fighting techniques is highly beneficial. It is also essential to develop writing, listening and speaking skills. If you are not good in communication, it is better to enroll in a public speaking or communication course.

Keeping records clean, awareness regarding basic first aid and CPR, good driving skills, good memory power and able to recall people, locations, names, details, basic computer skills, such as typing, emailing, MS word, etc are the other skills needed for a police officer.

Preparations for an Interview

Interview is an essential part of getting a job in law enforcement department. You should be on time for the interview and should wear an impressive dress. Before attending interview, you should get a haircut. Avoid using strong perfumes and should be very enthusiastic. You should give correct answers to the questions. Bringing multiple copies of resumes will be helpful for giving resumes to each interviewer.

Some common questions from the interviewers will be the reasons behind your interest in law enforcement, your best qualities, your bad qualities, your drinking and smoking habits, your physical fitness, etc. You must be prepared to give correct answers to all such questions.

Training in Police Academy

The job of police officers is highly honorable and at the same time, it is highly demanding. This is not just a typical day job. Instead, it is very challenging, emotionally and physically. Therefore, new recruiters need to be trained in police academy for delivering their duties efficiently. The teachings of police academy include introduction to law enforcement, ethics and morality of police, policing tactics as per law, how to engage suspects, usage of firearms and equipment, how to protect citizens, interpersonal and human relation skills, stress management and understanding human behavior, crime scene processing and criminal investigation, patrol procedures, etc.

If you want to become a police officer, you must not be involved in any type of criminal record. You should also start a strict exercise regimen and should continue it always. Keep away from drinking, smoking, and drugs is also highly important. You must also be at top physical condition always.

Usage of Equipment

As a police officer, you must be able to use various machines, such as pistols, short guns, handcuffs, bullet proof vests, tazer gun, baton, flashlight, police knife, etc. Though baton is the oldest piece of police equipment, still it is used widely in most countries. It is used mainly for controlling and dispersing large crowds. This is an effective tool for defending unarmed, yet aggressive mobs.

Salary and Benefits

Police officers get very high salary and benefits depending on several factors, such as state and country they reside, types and nature of work, experience, ranks, departments, etc. However, a typical police officer can earn around $50,000 per year. They will also get some other benefits, such as extensive dental and medical coverage, 2-5 weeks paid vacations, bilingual bonus, holiday bonus, high retirement plans, and other perks. If you are highly experienced and efficient, the chances of getting hired by FBI are also very high. Otherwise, you can find high paid jobs in private security industry.

It is not easy to learn how to become a police officer. If you have strong passion and integrity, you can acquire most of the skills needed for a police officer.

Police departments hiring new recruits post in several locations to get the word out. In addition to job boards, they place ads in both print and online newspapers. The search for new police officers reaches far beyond the local level. It’s possible to apply for a position anywhere in the country.

There are some obvious reasons to search out advertisements for police departments hiring more people. The first that comes to mind is job satisfaction. There are rewards that come from protecting and serving the public. On the professional side, there are possible awards, commendations, promotions and all of the associated bonuses tied in with being an outstanding officer. On the personal level, you know you are making a real difference in many lives.

There aren’t many job opportunities that offer the same level of benefits as those given to police officers. The stringent training at the police academy is free to the new recruits. Uniforms are provided, along with everything that’s required to function as a dedicated public servant. Most departments recognize the pressures of the job and provide liberal sick pay and paid personal days, in addition to paid vacations.

Police officers integrate themselves into the community and use their roles to educate within the schools. They take part in charitable activities and build trust through integrity. To join a police department is to become part of a fellowship. There’s a bond between officers that goes beyond their professional lives. There’s shared pride that comes from knowing that they all went through whatever it took to earn the right to wear their uniforms.

Becoming a police officer entails making it through an intensive screening process. It all starts by filling out the initial written application. There are height, weight and age guidelines. It’s necessary to be a U.S. citizen. While it’s still possible to get by with a high school diploma (or GED) in some locations, it’s more usual now to be required to have a minimum of an associate’s degree. This has led to the popularity of criminal justice degrees at community colleges.

After successfully making it through the written application review, there is a written test to filter out even more applicants. This test looks for competency in communication skills, memory and a whole lot more. A police officer must be able to make instant, logical judgements and produce written reports. By the way, neatness counts!

The next step along the journey is the physical fitness testing. It’s likely to bring back memories of your high school gym coach. Running, sit-ups and push-ups will be counted within a limited time period. It’s a definite physical challenge!

There is also an oral interview to pass, a complete background screening and psychological testing and evaluation. Passing all of that gives you the right to enter a police training academy where the real training and testing begins. It’s no wonder that those who serve in blue are looked upon as the absolute finest. If you think you’ve got what it takes to stand proudly with the best, keep an eye out for the next police departments hiring.

Much controversy can be found on blogs and message boards on the internet about whether police departments actually have quotas for tickets. If they do exist, which cities in which states and within the departments, which departments are given the requirements? How do they get around the legality of such actions? How do they enforce the quotas? Many, many questions!

Quotas DO exist! Many are called “performance goals” or “performance Initiatives” or possibly on a yearly review of an officer with his superior, it is called the “measurement of performance” (thus a requisite for advancement, raise or promotion?) Whatever. A quota is a quota is a quota! So when the question arises, do police officers have quotas? The answer is yes they do.

Actual facts and verifications have been found, noted and exposed in police departments in Michigan, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Washington State, Iowa and Georgia. Of this list, only Georgia claims it is NOT illegal in their state to do so. Georgia police officers are routinely given their daily quota of citations and/or arrests they must make during roll call as reported by the local TV station WGCL-TV.

The last figures reported were to make at least 65 citations and 25 arrests a month for crimes and to issue 150 citations and 11 arrests a month for traffic violations.

In reporting what the quotas are in the other states, it was also noted what some of the policies were if an officer did not reach quota. In Denver, Colorado they served up a “disciplinary action” on under achievers and as a result, traffic citations increased a whopping 50,000 between the years 2005 and 2006.

In a memo from Bellevue, WA, it was stated that you must cite 80% of automobiles you stop and failure to do so may result in vacation time! Really? How do you tell your kids that you can’t make the trip to Disneyland after all this year, because Daddy didn’t stop enough lawbreakers, or write enough tickets?

Michigan really takes the prize on this, though. They “award” every officer 1 hour of Overtime pay for every 2 traffic tickets he writes. Wow, that is like a blue light special at your local discount store! That could mean, that for every second ticket an officer wrote he was pocketing about $20.00(or more! THAT is a quota by a whole different name!

To be perfectly fair to the honest people in MI, they did manage by protest to stop this practice in at least one township. In Iowa also, a police chief was exposed and handed a suspension due to his illegal practice of meting out a 5 to 10 citation quota per month to the officers in his precinct.

In Midlothian, Texas, an innovative police commander turned it into a fund raising operation. If 20 citations per month were realized, then they would raise enough revenue to expand the building, reported WFAA-TV. Just the facts alone that revenues earned by citations were going right back into the officer’s home department raises a couple of red flags.

Do police officers have quotas? The information cited here was reliably obtained from a National Motorist Association website, but from the year 2007. In the subsequent years, it may have improved, but then again maybe they are now more innovative that ever in masking the quota in better rhetoric.

Law enforcement is a very broad term that refers to any system where members of the society act in enforcing the law. Additionally, these law enforcers punish those who do not follow the rules and norms that govern the society.

Therefore, any law enforcement careers are involved in the protection and security of its citizen and their properties. The main job of a law enforcer is to monitor the action of others and arrest those found violating the law.

Furthermore, they investigate any violation of the law and maintain both investigative and arrest reports. Law enforcers are found in various levels of governance in any country. For example, in the United State law enforcement occur at local, county, state and federal levels.

There are various law enforcement careers that you can choose from. These careers ranges from clerical positions to investigative, to supervisory and leadership. The most common and has the highest enrollment law enforcement are found at the local and state levels.

They include police detectives, correction officers, law enforcement officers, probation officers, state troopers, private security guards and patrol officers. However, they are not very lucrative as those law enforcement careers found at the federal levels. Federal level law enforcement careers include secret service agents, custom officials, FBI and border patrol agents. You are free to choice any of the above law enforcement jobs only if you meet are the minimum entry requirements.

Law enforcement careers..

Law enforcement careers..

The entry level requirements to join a training academy depend on the type of job you are applying. Any applicant must be of a certain age, education and experience before being registered. For example, if you want to train as police officer you must have a high school diploma and/or a post secondary training. In addition, some police academy will require you to have some professional job experience in you area of study. If you’d like more information on How To Become A Police Officer, visit the homepage of this site…

On the hand secret service agents and FBI require persons who are very skilled in various sectors. Some support personnel that are required include intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists and other professional. Therefore, in order for you to join either of the above law enforcement agencies, you must be skilled and highly experienced. Fortunately, there are very many accredited colleges across the united state that are offering criminal justice and law enforcement programs up to degree levels.

It is important to remember that, getting a high school diploma or a GED is the first step to any law enforcement career. Secondly, get a college degree, preferably similar to your area, having a master’s degree will boost your resume. The last thing is to join a police academy.

By joining any of the above law of enforcement careers you are guaranteed of regular salary increase, huge benefits and on-the-job training. The working condition of law enforcers is very risky, but scheduling of shifts is done in a very humane manner. This means that, you will be allowed a three day weekend every other weekend. All law enforcement careers offer you the opportunity to advance in your career, therefore, resulting to handsome pay benefits. However, before considering a career as a law enforcer you should research carefully about the jobs available to make sure that you have made the right choice.

Detectives are responsible for collecting and analyzing information for solving civil or criminal cases. Inspired by TV shows, films and novels, a large number of people want to know how to become a detective, but it is not an easy task. As a detective, you need to participate in raids and arrests, examine records and other data, conduct interviews, and carry out surveillance. If you want to work in public sector, you can seek employment in federal, state and local levels. Those who are employed in private sector are either work for private detective agencies or self employed.

Why you should become a detective?

The salary of a detective depends on various factors such as education qualification, place of work, geographical location, skills, etc. However, as per US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a police investigator or detective can make around $73,000 per year.

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Detective work

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If you are working in big cities or metros, you can earn around $91,000 per year. Besides, you are also eligible for getting some benefits, such as paid vacation, life insurance, vision, dental, medical, sick leave, etc.

What studies you must undergo and exams?

A high school diploma or equivalent is essential for becoming a private or police detective.

The high school course should be in social science, maths, science, English, and physical education.

Good typing skills, journalism, foreign languages, etc are also highly helpful. There are mainly three types of detectives, they are police detectives, FBI Agents and Detectives, private investigators.

Police Detectives

In order to become a police detective, you must have five years experience as patrol officer. Though high school diploma is the minimum qualification for becoming a police detective, most police departments recruit candidates who have an associate or bachelor degree. Coursework include:

* Criminology,
* Police science
* Local laws,
* State laws,
* Civil rights,
* Constitutional laws,

As a police detective, you should maintain the overall fitness of your body. You must also be mentally stable and can handle stress effectively. Good interpersonal skills, ability to manage dangerous situations, critical thinking skills, etc are the other qualities needed for a police detective. You should also consult our How To Become A Police Officer post, if you want to enroll with the police.

FBI Agents and Detectives

FBI agents, or the primary investigators of the federal governments, are responsible for the investigation of violations relating to more than 260 statutes pertaining to national security. The agents must also undertake duties, such as examining business records, data forensics, tracking stolen property, surveillance, court authorized wire taps, undercover assignments, etc. FBI agents also investigate criminal activities, such as organized crime, violations of federal laws, terrorism, kidnapping, bank robbery, extortion, bribery, drug trafficking, corruption, and business and accounting frauds.

Qualification

In order to become an FBI agent, you must have a bachelor degree and a minimum three years experience in related field. You must also have one or more skills in:

* Law experience,
* Intelligence experience,
* Proficiency in foreign language,
* Engineering expertise,
* IT/Computer science skills,
* Finance,
* Accounting,
* Diversified experience,
* Expertise in physical sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, etc,
* Military experience,
* Investigative/law enforcement experience.

In order to become an FBI agent or detective, you must pass psychological, physical and medical examinations, need to take a written and oral exam, and must undergo extensive background checks. Your age must be between 23-36 years. Once accepted, you must undergo intensive training for 20 weeks at FBI academy and must participate in outdoor and class room based training in:

* Investigative and academic subjects,
* Self defense,
* Physical fitness,
* Practical application of skills,
* Weapons handling, etc.

Private Investigators

Private investigators undertake investigations for organizations and parties other than law enforcement and government. Usually, they work for insurance companies, attorneys, private citizens, etc. You must also have a number of skills for working as a detective, which include:

* Active listening,
* Interaction with public,
* Critical thinking,
* Negotiation,
* Social perceptiveness,
* Decision making and judgement, etc.

Detective Certification

After acquiring necessary skills needed for a detective, you must appear for a licensing examination for getting a license. This examination tests your knowledge in law, physical fitness, analytical reasoning, deduction skills, police procedures and protocol, etc.

Specialization

Detectives can work in a variety of specialized investigatory fields, such as:

* Homicide,
* Fraud,
* Computer crimes,
* Spousal surveillance,
* Child support investigations,
* Missing persons,
* Undercover works,
* Surveillance,
* Financial crimes, etc.

Conclusion

If you want to become a detective, you must have intense passion for solving crimes and bringing justice. You must also be ready to face dangerous situations and criminals. Exposure to drugs and other such high risk illegalities are also very high in this field. How to become a detective is a frequently asked question, but the ways for a detective is not so smooth.