Getting Hired as a Police Officer
Entering the field of law enforcement as a sworn officer is a process that requires formal education, research, and a focused effort to be successful.
Anyone considering this occupation should first conduct research to determine the required steps and qualifications needed in order to serve as a peace officer in the jurisdiction they are interested in. Every state has police agencies at the state, county and city level, and each conduct their own hiring processes. Most states require some form of licensing or certification, usually after either college education or other formal academic and practical training courses approved for study by the state of interest. This information can be obtained online at state websites, and is also easily obtained from the recruiting section of the agency one is interested in joining.
A rough idea of the requirements to serve as an officer can usually be obtained by simply conducting an online query with the terms “police officer licensing” and the name of the state one is interested to be certified in. Links to a few examples may be found below:
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/newpost/becomeofficerinfo.asp
http://post.ca.gov/post-regulations.aspx
http://www.hccpoliceacademy.com/
http://www.ptb.state.il.us/aboutus.htm
Someone considering police employment should first determine if they meet the minimum personal standards. A significant criminal record will normally disqualify a candidate. A high degree of physical fitness is both desirable and consistent with the duties of the job, as is good mental health and personal stability. Citizenship documentation, proof of residence or intent to establish residency in the jurisdiction, valid driver licensing, and other technical and legal requirements will be encountered as well.
Some type of formal education is required in virtually all states to become a peace officer. Completion of a two or four year college degree or graduation from a vocational training course is commonly required. After completion of those degrees, most agencies will then send newly hired officers through an in-house training course to provide additional hands-on experience and introduction to local policy and practices.
Many police agencies conduct competitive testing for open officer positions. These may be announced through local newspapers or posted on websites of the local agency or municipality. State police licensing boards also frequently post announcements of open positions and application periods. A formal application is required prior to any testing or hiring process participation to ensure that potential candidates meet at least minimum standards before proceeding further in the process. Candidates passing entry level tests may then proceed to an interview process, and finalists for open positions may then be subject to background investigation and physical and psychological evaluation before they are considered for the final hiring process.
Persons hired as new officers by a police agency are normally placed on a lengthy period of training and probation during their early period of employment. The education and screening process for new officers tries to ensure that high quality candidates are hired, but in fact a new officer’s performance on the job cannot be predicted with certainty, and the first year of service is crucial in determining a person’s fitness for permanent hire.
