Qualifications Needed for Law Enforcement Jobs
Jobs in law enforcement have become one of the most popular careers in U.S and it includes variety of positions such as police officers, air marshals, and probation officers at the federal, state, and local levels.
A person who wishes to join with any of the law enforcement jobs must have certain qualifications. As a basic qualification, for most of the law enforcement jobs, applicants must be U.S citizens. Educational, physical and psychological statuses are specially measured for a law enforcement position. Apart from these technological, communication and interpersonal skills are also required for a job in law enforcement.
Here are some specific qualifications that are required for some of the law enforcement job.
- A bachelor's degree and/or related work experience is required for a post in law enforcement at federal level. But for the state or local level, it requires a high School diploma or its equivalent.
- Some positions in the law enforcement require the completion of a minimum level of college education such as associated degree when entering into a particular job in the law enforcement agencies.
- But, in general, all positions in the law enforcement require at least a high school diploma.
- The minimum age requirement for a law enforcement job is being 21 years old and the person who applies for such post must not be older than 37 years.
- Applicants must take the required tests. It is necessary to take both a written and a physical exam. The written test is required so as to judge the applicant’s analytical skills. The physical exam verifies the physical fitness of the applicant. It also includes a vision and hearing tests. Psychology tests are also a requirement and determines the suitability of the applicant to perform law enforcement work.
However there are some additional qualifications which are required for a position in the law enforcement.
- A valid driving license and good driving record is required for most jobs in the law enforcement.
- It is also necessary to have good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Applicants must have the innate and untainted ability to do the law enforcement work. Thus it is necessary to reflect the confidence, curiosity, professionalism from the applicants’ character.
- Applicants must be in excellent health condition and must be free from any physical, mental or emotional condition which might adversely affect his performance as an efficient law enforcement officer.
- Applicants must have the ability to work effectively with the team or alone. Ability to self direct the duty whenever necessary in effective, efficient and accountable manner are also required for jobs in law enforcement.
