Police Officer Career Guide

Types of police officers

There are different types of police officers who work in law enforcement to protect a certain geographic area or group of people. A police officer may work as the following: 

Uniformed Police Officer

This type of officer works for a city or municipal police department. They commonly patrol the city and respond to calls for service, emergencies, directing traffic, and investigating crime. 

Police Chief

This is the top law enforcement official within a police department. They supervise all the uniformed officers and other personnel working in the department. Police chiefs are typically responsible for administrative tasks such as managing budgets and implementing training and policies for their team. 

State Trooper

State troopers are responsible for enforcing state laws. They respond to accidents on the road as well as issue traffic warnings and citations during highway patrol. 

Detective

This police officer is specially trained to investigate crime scenes. This requires gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and writing comprehensive reports to prosecutors. 

Crime Scene Investigator

Crime scene investigators are uniformed police officers who gather and analyze physical evidence found at crime scenes. They may perform lab work to process the evidence and testify in criminal trials later on.  

School Resource Officer

These officers work in public schools to promote a safe learning environment for students. They usually work with a school’s staff to develop policies and procedures that will best keep students safe in emergency situations. 

Steps to become a police officer

1. Earn your high school diploma or GED

Obtaining your high school diploma or passing the GED is the first step to becoming a police officer. Not only are you required to earn your high school diploma, but you’ll have the opportunity to take valuable electives throughout your high school career that can prepare you for a career in law enforcement. Some of those classes include: 

• Psychology – This class focuses on the study of human behavior. Understanding human nature will help police officers better identify criminals and figure out their motives. 
• English – Police officers will be required to write detailed reports about accidents and criminal activity, so it is important for them to have strong and effective writing skills. 
• Health & Physical Education – Passing a physical fitness test is required for police officers, so it is important for students to learn about what they can do to keep their bodies healthy and strong. 
• US Government – An introductory US government class is perfect for anyone looking to go into law enforcement. You will learn the basics of civil rights, public policies, and laws. 

High school students can also prepare to become police officers by shadowing cops in their community to see if law enforcement would be a good fit for them. 

2. Make sure to meet the general application requirements

You must meet certain requirements before you can become a police officer. Here is a list of common qualifications you must meet before applying to become a police officer in each state: 

• U.S. Citizenship – You must provide proof of United States citizenship early in the application process.
• Age Requirements – You must be at least 21 years old to become an officer. Some states or departments have a maximum age limit of around 34-37 years old. 
• Driver’s License – You must have a valid state-issued driver’s license along with a clean driving record. 
• Background Check – You must complete and pass a full background check. 
• Medical and Physical Fitness Check – You must have a medical and physical examination to make sure you are physically and mentally strong enough to handle the on-the-job requirements.
• Selective Service – You must be registered with or exempt from the Selective Service System. 

3. Pass the law enforcement entrance examination

The entrance exam you take will largely depend on the specific position you are applying for and whether you are pursuing a career as a local, state, or federal police officer. While the written examination doesn’t test you on specific law enforcement guidelines or terminology, it will evaluate your knowledge on written, math, and logical reasoning skills. You must pass the examination with a 70-80% to be hired as a police officer. Some of the different sections you’ll find on the written exam include:

• Grammar, vocabulary, and spelling
• Reading comprehension
• Basic math and problem solving
• Situational scenarios and reasoning
• Memory and facial recognition

4. Apply to the police academy

Once you meet all the requirements to become a police officer, you will have the opportunity to apply to the police academy. This is where you will train to become a police officer. As you apply to different police academies, you will have to write essays and provide different documentation to be considered. Online class platforms like Udemy can help you prepare to enter the police academy. You can attend the academy through the federal, state, or local government or at a university. The police academy is 36 weeks long and requires 1,400+ training hours

Here are some of the top police academies in the United States:

• The New York City Police Academy
• The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
• The Maritime Law Enforcement Academy
• Pioneer Valley Academy
• The Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy
• The Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy
• The FBI Academy

If you want a police academy that you can do online, check out Bryant & Stratton College. 

5. Attend and graduate from the police academy 

Every police officer must participate in and graduate from the police academy. This involves completing a series of educational and physical modules to help prepare and train officers for their various job responsibilities. 

The police academy curriculum can vary depending on where you attend your training, however, there are common modules across each academy. These include: 

• Police Strategy – This area focuses on teaching officers about state ordinances, local laws, and constitutional law. You will also learn about the process of the legal system. Along with legal knowledge, you’ll learn about certain protocols and strategies regarding arrests, incidents, and traffic control. 
• Weapons Training – Recruits will learn how to use tasers, OC spray, batons, and firearms during this section. 
• Community Collaboration & Help – This section will help prepare you to serve your community. You will cover emergency aid, negotiation techniques, communication strategies, and criminal psychology. 
• Mental Capacity – Police officers can encounter potentially dangerous situations, so it is important for them to handle stress in a healthy manner. This module will teach recruits how to handle hostility, understand risk assessment, and endure shifting emotional experiences. 

6. Decide what department you would like to work in

There are many different officer positions at a police department. It is important to explore your options before committing to a long-term position. You can find these departments at each police station: 

• Administration – This includes the chief of police, the deputy chief, and their administrative assistants. They will oversee staff, manage budgets, and handle simple administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and answering phones. 
• Patrol – This position requires officers to patrol their assigned location by looking for and preventing any suspicious activity going on in their community. 
• Investigation Services – This unit is responsible for investigating accidents and crime scenes. Officers will gather physical evidence as well as report witness statements for court hearings. 
• Services – These positions focus on helping the community first-hand. This includes 9-1-1 dispatch operators, school crossing guards, and division commanders. 

7. Consider getting a bachelor’s degree

Some police departments recommend earning your associate’s or bachelor’s degree to better prepare you for the field. Some higher and more advanced positions may even require it. If you’re looking to work at the federal level with the FBI or the US Fish and Wildlife Services, you will most likely have to earn your bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: 

• Criminal Justice
• Law
• Social Sciences
• Public Administration
• Paralegal Studies
• Psychology
• Homeland Security and Emergency Management

7. Take continuing training and education

While there aren’t any national requirements for continuing education, some states will require a certain amount of continuing education hours every few years to keep their license active. This can range anywhere from 20-50 hours every few years. Some states, like Texas, will have certificates that law enforcement can receive in specialties, like civil process, firearms instructor, and more. 

Other certifications police officers can receive include:

Certified Law Enforcement Analyst

You’ll need three years of experience and must become a member of the IACA.

Court Security

If you want to work in the courtroom, you’ll need special training and certificates to do so. There are three levels you must go through. 

Security Supervision and Management 

IFPO’s courses will certify you and prepare you for becoming a supervisor in security. This is great for those wanting to be in management. You’ll need to take a test and pass it with 70% or better and pay a $300 registration fee.

Certified Professional Criminal Investigator

NICCS will prepare you to investigate crimes. However, before earning this certificate, you’ll need at least two years of experience working in criminal investigation.