Becoming a Police Officer

Being a police officer is a very rewarding career, but it is also a very demanding one. Not only are you expected to be a model citizen at work, but it is expected of you at home as well. Even though some days it might seem like nobody likes the police, the reality is that people in the community look to you for guidance and security. You need to be able to commit to upholding that image if you decide that a career at a police department is for you.

Realize that the process of becoming a police officer and getting onto a police department is highly competitive. You can’t give this career a lackluster effort if it is where you want to go. Commit yourself to it and put in every ounce of effort you can muster. This will be the nature of the career, and if you can’t do that right from the start, this isn’t the right field for you.


When you apply to a police department, they will run a background check on you. If you have any excessive indiscretions, such as drug convictions or multiple traffic violations, you will likely be rejected.

Another thing that will be checked is your physique. You need to be in good shape to be a police officer, so making sure to work out regularly is a must. If you can, participating in an organized sport is a great way to stay fit. Many people who are striving to become police take up some kind of self-defense sport for their exercise. This serves two purposes by keeping you both physically and mentally fit.

Look at your education. Do you have a high school diploma, or are you working toward one? Most, if not all, police departments require a high school diploma or equivalent education. Additional education such as an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelors Degree is highly regarded as well. Many colleges have criminal justice degrees that will take you a long way toward knowing what you need to excel at a police department.

You will have to take the civil service examination when you apply to a police department. This will be administered by the police department itself. To get the best score possible, look into study guides that are published to help individuals study for this exam.

If you pass your civil service exam and the physical exams, the police department will conduct a series of interviews. If they accept you, you will be sent to a police academy. Here you will go through rigorous training and be taught everything you will need to know in order to be the best police officer possible.

There are a lot of opportunities for people who want to be police officers right now. The growing population of cities is creating an ever-growing need for all aspects of civil service. More police officers are needed, along with people to supervise the officers. This means promotions are being made within police departments, and opening up more spots. It is a good position for you, the aspiring police officer, to be in.

If you have decided that being a police officer is what you want to do, here are some ways to check into getting started. Look into colleges and see what kinds of criminal justice classes are being offered. Get in touch with someone at your local police department and ask what you can do to put yourself in the best possible position for getting hired.

Becoming a police officer is a long process that requires a strong character and will. You have to be willing to learn now, and continue your education year after year once on a police department. But there is no doubt in the minds of officers that this career is worth every bit of effort you put into it.