So, you want to become a police officer? That’s great – you’ve chosen a great career path.
However, becoming a police officer isn’t as simple as sending an application into your nearest department and starting the following week – it’s much more complicated than that. But don’t worry, this guide is here to make everything nice and easy for you. Even if you don’t know anything about the police and how it works, you’ll be more clued about by the end of all this.
What is a Police Officer?
Police officers are public servants, which means they work for the public – you.
They keep law and order, protect people, investigate crime, and prevent potential crime from taking place. Basically, they do a boatload of tasks that keep the general public safe.
On a day-to-day basis, the roles of a police officer can change. One day, they might be patrolling a local area, the next day, they might be conducting interviews. This is what makes it such an exciting career path – no day is ever the same.
Over time, if you get promotions, your roles will change slightly (for example, you might become a superintendent).
The Skill Required to be Police Officer
To be a police officer, a respectable number of pre-existing skills are required. These include:
- Maturity
- Good physical condition
- Mental strength
- The ability to handle tough and challenging situations
- Excellent interpersonal and communication ability
- Empathy
- Patience and calmness
- Attention to detail
Generally, if you tick all of the boxes above, you’re the perfect fit to become a police officer!
So, with that covered, let’s jump into some tips and advice on how you can become a police officer. Don’t worry, it’s all straightforward and simple.
Get a Policing Degree
As with most career fields, studying prior to entering them is a good idea.
Thankfully, these days you can study for an online law enforcement degree. This means the degree is completed virtually rather than in-person.
Naturally, an online degree is perfect for people who have other jobs and responsibilities to complete at the same time.
By studying for a degree in policing, you will be more prepared for the job of a police officer than most people.
Generally, policing teaches you many skills related to the policing sector, from teamwork to problem-solving. Additionally, they provide you with other transferable skills that will benefit you in other sectors – not just police work. Basically, it’s a win-win situation.
Volunteer
Here’s another piece of advice: volunteer with your local police.
This is a great way to build your experience and get a taste of what it’s like on a day-to-day basis.
Of course, each police department is different, but it’s possible to get experience in a variety of ways. For example, some police departments let people volunteer as ‘special constables’. Being a special constable typically involves various duties, including dealing with anti-social behavior and helping out at the scenes of accidents. This experience will look great when applying for roles.
Do an Apprenticeship
Many people become police officers by doing an apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship is where you learn on the job while doing a college course at the same time. So, if you want to dive into the action faster, an apprenticeship is a great option for you.
Apply for the Police Force
To apply for the police force directly, you will need to complete an application form and send it directly to them. After receiving your application, the police force will examine your details and decide whether you’re a good enough candidate. If they decide you are, they will get back to you and invite you for an assessment.
Pass an Assessment
Your assessment is very important. Here, you will have an interview followed by written tests. Providing you pass everything, you’ll then be moved onto the next stage. If you make it through the next stage, then you can allow yourself to start getting excited!
Complete a Physical Exam
Before doing your physical exam, it’s recommended that you have done prior training, as the physical exams can be quite testing. If you aren’t up to the task, you’ll get found out on the spot – so make sure you’re in shape!
Generally, police force physical exams are different from state to state. However, their purpose is the same: to find out if you are physically up to the job.
Here are some factors that are usually involved in the physical exam:
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- 1.5-mile run
- A mock pursuit run (to see if you would be able to handle running after a criminal)
If you fail the test, it’s recommended that you take 6 weeks away before reapplying. Hopefully, that won’t be the case – and you’ll pass with flying colors. If not, don’t worry; not everyone passes their police physical the first time.
Remember, if you know you’re going to be doing a physical exam over the coming months, start training now. You can train at the gym or at home – whichever you prefer.
Pass a Background Check
Next, you will have to pass a background check.
Because of how serious the role of a police officer is, a police force has to be very strict with who they hire. There is no room for complacency. This is why every individual is vetted, from their criminal history to previous job history.
If you have a pre-existing criminal record, it’s more likely that you won’t be accepted. However, the rules have slightly relaxed around this over recent years, so it is possible. However, this is entirely dependent on the severity of your crime and how recent it was.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the tips and advice above have proven to be helpful for you.
Becoming a police officer is a life-changing prospect. It will develop you – both personally and professionally – in so many ways. Therefore, if you’re ambitious and tick all the boxes that are required of a police officer, you should absolutely give it a shot. Good luck!
