Police Officer Careers – Police Officer Jobs
Police officer careers are in high demand and will continue to be for years to come. There are many police officer jobs in the law enforcement career field, thus an opportunity for a life of adventure.
People depend on police officers to protect their lives and property. Law enforcement officers carry out these duties in a variety of ways depending on the size and type of their organization. Police officers pursue and arrest individuals who break the law and then issue citations or give warnings. The majority of police officers patrol their jurisdictions and investigate any questionable events they observe. In most jurisdictions, they are expected to exercise authority when necessary, whether on or off duty.
The day-to-day activities of police personnel varies depending on their professional area of expertise – such as police officer, detective, or game warden – and whether they are employed at a local, State, or Federal level. Duties also differ considerably among various Federal agencies, which enforce different aspects of the law. Regardless of job duties or location, officers at all ranks are required to write reports and maintain precise records that will be needed if they testify in court.
Police Officer Requirements
Most police officers must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized). To start a police officer career, a person must pass a written test, a physical exam, and be at least a high school graduate – see Education and Training below for more info.
Education and Training
Many police departments require only a high school diploma for one to be eligible for a police officer position. However, there are numerous agencies that require at least an Associate degree or a college credit equivalent. Some metropolitan departments require a minimum of a Bachelor degree. Most state and federal law enforcement agencies will only accept police officer candidates that have a 4-year degree or a combination of significant job experience and education.
Police officer training is for the most part provided through state certification programs and/or police academies. Law enforcement certification programs and academy sessions usually last several months. Police career hopefuls that need to attend an academy may be required to stay on academy grounds at all times throughout training, with exception of weekends. This is dependent on the agency in question, but in most cases, a police recruit will spend about 8 hours on weekdays at the academy and is free to go home at the end of the day.
Training includes classroom instruction in constitutional law and civil rights, State laws and local ordinances, and accident investigation. Recruits also receive training and supervised experience in patrol, traffic control, the use of firearms, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response.
It is highly recommended that police officers continually upgrade their education, especially those with little or no college education. As time on the force goes by, opportunities for advancement are often granted to those that invested in their self-development through agency sponsored training, certificate programs, and completion of Bachelor level or even advanced degrees. Police officer salaries are often gauged on the amount of training and formal education an individual possesses. Take advantage of the fact that many agencies pay all or part of the tuition for officers to work toward degrees in criminal justice, police science, administration of justice, public administration, criminology, and others.
Police Officer Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and sheriff’s patrol officers had median annual earnings of $47,460 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,600 and $59,880. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,310, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,450. Median annual earnings were $47,190 in local government, $52,540 in State government, and $43,510 in Federal Government.
The salary information will be updated here with a new release of salary statistics by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, so don’t worry about years of difference – it’s just a formality. Salaries for the current year are not that far off, but for the most accurate information call or visit the agency in question. Many police departments offer salary, benefit, and hiring info right on their website.
Career Opportunities
Police officers have many criminal justice career opportunities that can be obtained through tenure, training, and education. Some of the police jobs include: Detective, Crime Scene Investigator, Community Liaison Officer, Narcotics Officer, and SWAT Officer.
Take a look at other great Criminal Justice Careers.
{ 102 comments… read them below or add one }
i am 34 years old is it to late to go in to this line of work
No, it’s not too late. Many police departments, including those policing agencies on a state and federal level, allow candidates who are 37 years old or younger. I have also come across some that don’t have an age limit, but impose a retirement limit (for example: imposed retirement at age 55). If you are interested in police work, you should find out more info from the police department that you would like to work for. You can do so by visiting the police department website (most municipalities should have some info) or by calling your local police department. Also, you can pay them a visit if you would like.
I want to become a SWAT officer after i graduate from college. i want to know how to become one and also the possible salary. thank you
In order to become a SWAT officer you must first be a law enforcement officer (police, sheriff, state police, or federal). You won’t be considered for a SWAT position usually for a number of years (anytime after your probation period up to 5 years or more). Then, you may be considered for the SWAT career track. Each law enforcement agency that has a SWAT team coordinates hiring differently. It would be a good idea to speak with the agency in question about how their career advancement works. SWAT positions are rare, and are usually offered to superior officers. An initial written and physical assessment may be required before you’re even considered to step foot in the training class room.
Salaries vary, but are for the most part more than that those of a police officer without SWAT training. If you know which agency you would like to work for, you should do an Internet search for their website. Most law enforcement agencies have a website with current career, salary, and requirement info.
i’m 18 years old and i want to be a police officer, i was wondering if there was anything that i could study in my time that would get me ready for training.
thanks for the tips..
Most people that will be going through an academy – where they will physically attend classes and participate in all training – can do very well just getting through the application process first. While in the academy, there will be lots of stuff that one must learn. Through that one can learn what their strengths and weaknesses are and adjust accordingly.
If not going through an academy, you’ll still most likely have to take a mandated state certification program. There you’ll also learn, but most bigger law enforcement departments claim that their training is better. In most cases, I must agree with that assertion.
It’s always good to learn good communication and social skills. That’s a given.
If there’s a certain sub-field of policing that interests you (CSI, detective work, SWAT, or victim services… to name a few) you should naturally read a little more about it. It will open your eyes to the many career positions in policing that deal directly or indirectly with police.
One thing that all trainers from police agencies across the United States don’t want you to learn prior to starting training is shooting a gun. Their philosophy is that if you know how to shoot a gun, most likely your technique is not proper and will require more adjustment than those that are newbies. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” – one police trainer told me. Yes, it’s a cliche, but even if you can teach an old dog how to shoot he or she will be more convinced that their personal touch is the best.
So there you go. Hope this helps a little. Good luck with everything.
thank you
I have signed up for Criminal Justice to be a police officer and eventaully build byself up to anything else that I want to be in the law enforcement, should I put it off and go straight to the Acadamy with a high school diploma and then attened the college after I get done the acadamy?
I can’t make that decision for you, but I will add this: a college educated employee is more likely to get promoted, demand higher salaries, and all this in a course of less time than compared to a high school grad. Of course, exceptions apply. Sorry I can’t help, however depending on YOUR situation, both options are viable.
Hello, I’m starting my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and I’m leaning more towards Law Enforcement for a Major, is there any kind of criminal justice job I could do while getting my bachelor’s degree or am I going to have to wait until after college? and also, which websites could I go on to look at different police officer training near Harrisburg, Pa?
Many police officer careers and correctional careers can be obtained while you’re in college, or without any college credit whatsoever (although I wouldn’t recommend it). Pick a city that’s of interest to you, then go to their municipal, state, or federal website and look for career or recruiting information. Nearly all law enforcement and correctional institutions have websites nowadays with comprehensive info. I recommend the Google search engine and typing
Harrisburg PA Police Department
OTHER CITY Police Department
SOME COUNTY Prison
you get the gist. Good luck!
I went through a police academy right out of high school. I got my associates degree and did my state mandated training at the same time. I found the academy to be rather easy for me BUT….do not think that getting a job is easy. Don’t make the mistake I did and think that just because you were top of the class and did the best in firearms training is going to land you the job, because it won’t. Unfortunately, becoming a police officer is highly political and it very well may come down to who you know not what you know. I was passed over for a local dept because the guy they hired, his family is tied into the cities politics.
Make a hundred copies of all your certificates and resumes and keep them packeted together in your car and EVERY single town/city/department you drive through or pass, drop one off to the department. You may end up getting hired at a smaller department and thats ok because at least you’re getting experience and keeping your certification because if you’re like me and don’t get hired for two years, it runs out.
Another thing, if you have any friends, girlfriends or wife that is working at bars or into drugs/crime anything get rid of them. My girlfriend went through another police academy as I was going through mine and afterwards she made a mistake and got a DUI. She was a single mother and the father didn’t pay any support. She found herself working at a strip club and because of that I was told by a local police chief that I most likely wouldn’t find a job because her profession was considered a CONFLICT OF INTEREST; so I was guilty by association. This was 11 years ago.
Not a day goes by that I still wish I was a police officer because I know I could do the job and do it better then most. I see all these stories of bad cops, cops who are an embarrassment to their profession and to that BADGE.
Hello, My name is Joseph Diaz, and I just finish graduating at high school. I was wondering if there is any Jobs under law enforcement category to make my background look excellent. When I finish my bachelors in Mathematics I would love apply a Police Officer Career. If you know any jobs in the age of 18 I can work at please respond me back and leave any website, links, or so that I can search around my hometown area of zip code 78596. I really appreciate it as I am trying to gain some experience before I become a police officer or so.
Weslaco, TX seems to be a small city in a rural area. In reality, many police departments hire recruits right out of high school. Some recruits will need to meet the educational requirement 4 years later (on average) while still being employed by a law enforcement agency / police department. So you might want to see if you can be a police officer and study Mathematics at the same time.
Other than that you won’t have too many choices at your age. Ask for a “ride along” with a police officer to see what the job is all about. Not all police departments do it, but it’s worth asking. Paid / unpaid internships can also help a lot. The most important thing is that you don’t get into legal trouble and keep your grades up while in college.
WHY is there an age restriction??? I just turned 38 & am FINALLY ready to pursue my lifelong dream! I’ve been having babies for the last 16 yrs & am disheartened to learn that it may be too late for me!!! :’(
Good question. It’s mainly due to the aging process, as we get older our reflexes slow down, ability to think and react decreases, and so on… As police officers, we have to protect not only ourselves, but the community we serve as well as our fellow police officers.
BUT, before you put a dagger through your dreams, I would contact the police agency in question. There are some that have ages around and above your age requirement, some have waivers, and others don’t have “real” restrictions on age. However, I wouldn’t wait. Get on it now and pursue your dreams NOW – before it’s too late. I know that at your age you can still be considered for a law enforcement position; perhaps not in your immediate vicinity, but considered nonetheless.
Good luck!
Thank you for that encouragement!! Our City’s website says 36 @ the time of hire, but have you ever known that to be flexible, although there’s a stated age limit??
I have personally met our C.O.P., so I sent him an email to inquire. Here’s hoping!!
Thanks again! God bless you,
It really depends. More often than not they are pretty right on the money when it comes to age. Flexibility is the exception to the rule.
Hello,I’m a 30 year old male from Florida who would like to become a police officer. I have my A.A. in criminal justice and experience in juvenile correction . I recently been convicted of a DUI and would like to know is it possible to become a police officer? That’s the only thing on my driving record and criminal record.I appreciate your time you took to read my questions.
Jovan,
Great question, one that I find very hard to explain as it has many answers. The short answer is YES & NO – it all depends:
1. Some agencies have zero-tolerance policy for ANY DUI conviction
2. Some agencies may allow one DUI conviction only
3. Some agencies allow a time frame where your DUI may be a “thing of the past” in the scope of the employment opportunity
4. Some say that if you get your record expunged you should be fine, although I’m not too sure about that one
5. Some take candidates on a case by case basis and consider further – more positive – attributes of the potential recruit
Your police officer career can hinge on things like which agency you would like to work for, in what city, county, and state. In all honesty, I would ask the HR / Recruiting Department of the agency you have interest in. Call in anonymously and find out straight from the horse’s mouth. Also, very often – and I mean VERY OFTEN – you’ll be able to find out everything you need on the police department’s website; just make sure to click around as some of the most important info can be hidden quite well.
I welcome input from current and future Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) regarding this issue in hopes of helping those who may be in the same predicament. Perhaps, with enough constructive and detailed input, I’ll be able to write a decent post about this topic. So, please join in.
Hello, I am 20 and I am just starting college this winter. I am going to a community college for my Associate degree in criminal Justice…I was just wondering if I should just go ahead and get my bachelors or try to get a job after my associate degree? Will I still have a good chance with just an Associate degree or not? I have a wife and a 4 month old just trying to get into the saddle so to speak, as fast as possible.
Many police departments don’t require an ounce of college education before you get hired on. However, many police departments are state mandated to have their police officers get an Associates Degree OR an equivalent of, which is usually 60 semester credits, within 3 to 5 years from getting hired on (average). Each dept. is different, so I would get in touch with the one you want to get on to to find out more.
As for higher education in the law enforcement profession, I think it wouldn’t hurt. Many agencies offer pay incentives for those with a Bachelor’s or a graduate degree. For some it can be – more or less – 10% to 30% increase in salary depending on the department and educational level completed. Promotions and other incentives may hinge on higher education, especially in mid to large police departments.
There may be fewer monetary benefits in relation to education in small police departments. If you live in a rural community check out your county Sheriff’s Office or the State Police for opportunities.
Is applying at more than one agency a bad idea and what should a person do if both agencies called and you went to both agencies for a physical exam already and passed that?
I personally don’t think it’s a bad idea, however it can go up in your face when both employers want to pull you in their direction. Hopefully the agency that you like most will inquire about your first.
It is good to keep your options open, but at one point you will have to make a decision. Either jumped the hopes now and decide later or decide now and jump through less hopes right now. I wish you all the best.
hello my name is luis and im am currently un college i still dont have any degree with me. i am also not a citizen of the u.s can i still become a police officer?
most, if not all, Police Department’s require for your future police officers to have US citizenship. For the most part, it is a nonnegotiable requirement.
Hi, I am 16year old female, and a Junior in High School still.
I plan to go to college after my senior year and i still have no idea how to figure out what would be best for me to major and minor in. My dream is so be a police officer and i’d like to go straight into that dream as soon as i’m done with my four year in college. Again, i am not sure what i need to become this. I already know the college i plan to attend but i am not sure where i’d like to become a police officer. I’d settle for anything i’m sure, but what would best and average as far as education to become this. Also, are there any tips from here on out you can give me, as far as being a female going into law enforcement, or how to go about college in this state of mind. Anything would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Please read: http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/03/criminal-justice-degree-not-always-a-requirement/
Now, more than ever before, the law enforcement community is very open to female police officers. I don’t think you should worry too much. Make sure you stay out of trouble and keep your grades up. In college, this is even more important, as many police departments ask for college transcripts that contain your grades and GPA.
And.. Don’t settle for just anything… Always strive for being the best and getting the best you can.
I am a senior in high school and I look forward to going to college for criminal justice. I am going to work my way up to Homicide and I was wondering how would I get use to the surroundings of dead bodies. I mean im ok when it comes to funeral but how would I train myself to work with them?
Great question. I guess you “just do.” There’s no prep course in dealing with homicide or accident victims. The only feasible way to learn this is either on the job OR interning in a morgue or a funeral home.
Im in my Junior year of college and im starting to look in the direction of law enforcement. I will have a bachelors in Criminal Justice but im having trouble getting experience in the field. Ive been told to find volunteer work for the police departments but my ideas are limited. What would you suggest?
Hello I am in College online for my bachelor’s in CJ and wanted to know what volunteer opportunities would look good on my resume or anything you can think of that would look good on my resume?
Volunteer opportunities look great on a resume. If you would like to become a police officer, then a volunteer position at a police dept. will work. You won’t be granted powers of arrest and you might do some “intern type” work (paper work, etc.), but it looks good. It’s not always a necessity to be a volunteer first, but if you have the time it’s worth a try.
Also, there are volunteer police officer positions, although very rare nowadays. These positions give you limited responsibilities – unlike a full-fledged law enforcement officer – but if you can be a volunteer police officer, I think that’s even better than the first option. Again, chances of finding such a position are extremely remote. I just thought I would at least bring it out there.
HI, MY NAME IS KRISTINA AND I JUST RECENTLY START GOING TO EVEREST UNIVERSITY FOR MY A.A DEGREE IN CRMINAL JUSTICE. I’VE RECENTLY HEARD THAT ITS NOT A GOOD SCHOOL BUT SO FAR I’VE HAD NOTHING BUT A GOOD EXPERIENCE THERE. I WANTED TO KNOW DOES IT MATTER WHERE YOU GET YOUR DEGREE FROM IN ORDER TO GET HIRE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
It’s a decent school, but at this time it has no regional accreditation which is highly important (search for “accreditation” on my site for more info). It is, however, nationally accredited which entitles you to seek employment from local to federal levels (where degrees are required).
Yes, the name of the school may matter when applying to competitive police departments.
Greetings – my son is currently attending a Criminal Justice program at a technical college, in hopes of being a policeman. While I keep reading that most police forces don’t have a minimum “size” requirement, I am still concerned because he is small – 5 feet 4 or so at last measure. He’s in good shape (I’m recently retired Army and I am teaching him the basics of fitness, fighting, shooting, etc.) but still I wonder…..will he be a “target” because of his stature? Here in Augusta Georgia there is a huge “hate the cops” attitude among the population, so will he be passed on for hiring while the force hires people with more size + strength? I know policing is more than physical confrontations, but human nature is what it is…..projecting an image of confidence + fearlessness is easier when you are at least as intimidating as the local thugs you will certainly encounter.
Police here in Georgia are commonly assaulted. Is law enforcement a viable career option for the young man?
Georgia is a beautiful state but there are counties with excessively high crime rates. I think that as long as your son wants to pursue this career then he should. Height can be a disqualifying factor at some agencies. I would check with the agencies your son is interested in. Also, it is a common fact that if a person perpetrating a crime may consider all options, including fleeing and assault, in order to remain free. I think that shorter persons may be more prone to an assault. Saying that, I still think that proper training and response mechanisms can help in preserving the life of a police officer despite his or her height.
Hello, I’m a freshman in college right now and undecided for a major but I’m leaning towards a criminal justice major next year. My question is what kind of jobs are there in this field, and if I decided to become a police officer what are the chances of finding a job in MA. Also should I finish all 4 years in college right now or is there a better option?
Thank you
Click around and you’ll see that there are many career options in the criminal justice field.
Chances are just that, a gamble. It all depends when and if the departments will have a need for new recruits. Be cognizant that when planning to work in Massachusetts, you might want to seek schools that have programs that are Quin Bill certified. Read my post on the best criminal justice schools in MA to get more info.
In my opinion, the best option is to finish college, but there are cases where you don’t even need a college degree to become a police officer. It’s all about preference really, but I would want to be positioned for higher salary right of the bat AND for possible promotions that are training/education sensitive.
HI IM ABOUT TO GO TO COLLEGE NEXT YEAR AND I WAS INTERESTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT..THE ON LY THING IS IM AFRAID I AM TOO SHORT..AND PEOPLE WOULDN’T TAKE ME SERIOUSLY IF I BECOME A COP..WILL MY SIZE HAVE AN EFFECT ON MY SUCCESS IN MY CAREER?
shortly i will be graduating high school and advancing to college, right now im torn between two schools and two majors. personally, i want to go for law and justice studies but have a lot of questions. im unfamiliar with the major and looking for a bit of advice. my main concern to studying this major is that im under the impression, it can be taken as a pointless major. i have heard things like once you retire at the imposed age of 55 you wont have a job after, because of the major choice. so my question is, can you briefly elaborate on that topic and help me conclude?
There’s no brief elaboration.
Criminal Justice related majors are vocationally centered, unlike a business degree, for example. I keep hearing about people getting a criminal justice degree, but they don’t pursue or even remotely work in law enforcement or the criminal justice system, or have felony records, domestic abuse arrests, and other disqualifying factors for most law enforcement jobs.
I think that if you’re not sure if you would want to work in the criminal justice field, you should not take it. Period. Take a more general degree like Business (or whatever strikes your fancy), which I think offers a lot of qualities that nearly all fields, including Criminal Justice, would love its employees to have. Now if you know you will be working in the criminal justice field, because that is what you aspire to do (ie. Police Officer, Sheriff’s Deputy, US Marshal, and etc.) then taking a more specialized degree (like the one you’re contemplating) is of benefit, but not a necessity.
After the imposed retirement age of 55 you should have enough experience under your belt to land work. Now saying that, if you enjoy a certain field more than criminal justice, and you know you can use the degree in an event of layoffs, imposed retirement, etc. then take it. Most agencies would like a competent college graduate, not necessarily a CJ major, although I would recommend it if you’re seeking managerial roles within a law enforcement agency, for example.
There are no pointless majors… there are pointless decisions to take on a degree program that is far from “the real you”.
I’m currently in the navy as an aviation ordnancemen. We get firearms training, first aid, hand to hand, and some security work on the base and ship with watches…I want to get my bachelors in criminal justice and become a cop when my enlistment is over. I’m 19. How do I go about doing this and what kind of chance would I have getting an I guess superior position at a police station once I’m out?
Firstly, you might NOT need a criminal justice degree to get your foot in the door.
Even with your experience, “superior”, or I think you meant supervisory, positions are available to those that pay their dues — and that’s not always a guarantee. If you meant superior (or something of that nature), like Gang Squad, Detective or SWAT, you still have to pay your dues. Besides time, possibility of testing, educational requirements, and other merit based factors, you have to take into consideration that the higher you want to go up the ladder the more “political” it gets.
What kind of job can you get in Law Enforcement straight out of high school? And can you qualify for the same position when you earn your GED? I’m 26 and studying for my GED right now. Since I waited to earn it so late will that count against my chances of obtaining the same position as a high school graduate?
Many police departments don’t require college education in order to START working in law enforcement, so a high school diploma or a GED will usually be enough. That said, you may be required to complete a number of college credits or a degree program while on-the-job (it’s usually a State mandate that needs to be accomplished with a number of years from the date of hire).
Ive gotten told that going to college for a CJ degree would be a waste of time pretty much until later on a degree would help to get promoted, that’s it. I got told not no one can just appear and apply at a police academy and that you would have to work at a department to be a jailer, corrections, etc. and work your way into the academy around 21, 22 year of age. What would your personal opinion would be on that? Like what would you do?
That may be true at certain departments / or probably counties, which may require someone to be a correction officer prior to going on patrol — it’s the “understand crime from the inside” perspective, which can be of value. However, municipal police departments, a number of other Sheriff’s departments, the State police, and the Federal Govt. will not, in all likelihood, require you to work in a jail prior to being a police officer, a Sheriff deputy, a state police officer, or a FBI special agent, for example.
As for the education, it’s a matter of perspective and often it’s true that it may not be required initially – I wrote an article on degrees and police work <– check it out!
Hello, my name is Salvador and I will be obtaining my BA in criminal justice next spring. What should I do as soon as I graduate to get a job as a police officer or in the criminal justice field? I was an intern as a paralegal for a non profit organization this past year. Do you think that’ll help me? Also I’m thinking of applying for an internship for the Universities police department. Do you think that will help me get a job faster? thank you for your time.
I don’t know what exactly will help you, but based on what you stated in your comment, many of the efforts you’ve made so far OR are planning to make can get you so much closer to the top of the list (not always, but more often than not). Usually, you can’t get the job faster, as training commences once or twice a year at most police departments, sometimes even less often.
I wanted to know if i have a misdemeanor charge for assault & battery would i not be able to become a police officer? I am 20 years old, working on my general education. I’m sure by the time i am done with college, it would be ex-sponged. Also, another factor that i am wondering about is tattoos. I have a tattoo on the back of my neck of my last name, along with a full sleeve right arm tattoo. Would they not allow law enforcement with such tattoos? I am only 130lbs as well, is there a certain ht/wt requirement to becoming a police officer?
Assault & battery convictions are taken seriously and are often an automatic disqualifier. That said, there maybe some agencies that may take things like recency and circumstances of the even into consideration.
I can’t recall for sure, but even if it’s expunged, you’ll still have to include the information on your application and definitely during your panel interview. Expunged doesn’t always mean “erased” from the databases law enforcement has access to.
As for tattoos, please see my post on tattoos and police work. Many LE agencies are okay with them (within reason or hidden), but some aren’t.
For any of the questions you asked I would ask the agency you want to work for directly. Either way things will come into light and perhaps being forthright can give you some brownie points… maybe no points, but some concrete answers.
is there a state that does not have an age limit to attend an academy. i am only 20 years old and i’ve been looking into becoming a police officer and it seems that all academy’s require you to be 21 years of age.
Hi, I am 21 and i have always been interested in law enforcement One of the jobs I would love to do is a police officer but I am a little woman I am afraid of getting hurt on the job, and so is my husband. what other jobs are there available with a associate degree in criminal justice that are less dangerous. I really need to pick a degree to go with I keep changing my mind please help me
A criminal justice degree is a great accompaniment to a law enforcement position, like a police officer job, but given that this degree is narrow it best serves those who will work in the criminal justice field. There are very few jobs available for graduates with an associates level education as opposed to those with a bachelor’s or a master’s, for example. Your competitive edge narrows or widens depending on the amount of education you have. I would recommend that you think about your future (ask yourself who you would like to become, how much salary is enough, and etc.) and perhaps consider choosing a wider reaching degree or something you will really like to do.
Hi, I’m abraham and I turned 26 a couple of months ago. I’m extremely concerned about obtaining a career in law enforcement due to my history. I’ll begin with my arrest history. I was arrested 6-7 years ago for a paint ball incident, however, I was never convicted. Despite that huge bump that i encountered i managed to attend a college and about to graduate in the fall. My job history isn’t quite commendable to some extent. What worries me is that i’m obtaining a degree in criminal justice and that in the end i wont be able to work anywhere. I worked extremely hard to get this far and I would be devastated if i cannot become a peace officer. Can you suggest something please….Im so lost…
I forgot to mention that i was arrested for shooting a paintball at a civilian, however, i was arrested but never convicted, i never saw a judge. this is connected to my first post…
hey im 18 years old i want to become a detective. but first i have to become an officer right? then from there what happens?
can you become a police officer if you are a resident?
The short answer is YES, but most states and agencies require for law enforcement officers to be US citizens, leaving a handful of states that don’t. Others require that you must be eligible to apply or have filed for US citizenship before hire.
The best way to find out is by going to the department’s website where most of the time the citizenship / permanent resident requirement is listed. If not, give them a call, anonymously if you feel that will help. I also recommend checking police departments in proximity, in case that info isn’t readily available on your first try.
I’m currently 18 years old and looking forward to become a police officer, im going to a two year community college first and after my two years. Should i enroll myself to a criminal justice program and will it benefit me for the best? Or should i keep going to a community college for two more years ?
I want to be a Police Officer for the Phoenix AZ Police Department. I am currently 17 1/2 years old and am about to enter my Senior year in High School. I turn 18 in January 2012 and will be halfway done with my final year in H.S. I live in Auburn, WA and currently work at a local Subway restaurant. When I turn 18, should I keep my Subway job until I finish High School? Or should I try and get a criminal justice job, probably in or around the Seattle area? After graduating, I plan on moving down to Glendale, AZ and hope to find a job for the city of Phoenix that will prepare me to become a Police Officer after I get my B.S. in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security & Counter-terrorism degree from Kaplan Online University. For the 4 years while I’m in college, what jobs should I look for in Phoenix? What advice would you give to a 17 year old who knows what he wants to do for school and where he wants to be, but has no idea what to do for a job? I want to become a police officer in Phoenix ASAP, but I also want my Bachelor’s degree. What do I do!?
I’m 17 and planning to go to college for criminal justice and obtain a Bachelors degree. It has always been my dream to be a LEO. The one problem is that I have cystic fibrosis. I am in good shape and even went to the extreme to look up department physical fitness requirements and met most of them. Is CF a disqualifier? If it is, is there anything else in law enforcement I can do?
Hi , I’m a US resident and been living in Florida for 3 years and half , in 1 year i will take mi citizenship test. I’m 19 years old and i want to study Criminal Justice ( law enforcement officer ), Can i Go to a criminal justice Institute if i’m a resident ? because i was thinking about obtain a Bachelors degree so i have time to become a US citizen and then Start Looking for a job . Can i go to a criminal justice institute ? Please help me.
hi so im getting out the army with a general under honorable condition I was in for 2 years and getting out with a chapter 14 basically for popping hot on a piss test I went through a substance abuse program Im but how much of a chance would i have for them to accept me in the police academy
I am in my second year at a community college in Connecticut, as a 19 year old is there anyway possible way besides internships to gain experience? I plan on getting my bachelors then going in to police academy.
What job can i really get into with just my AS Criminal Justice Degree? I will have it come Spring 2012 from a community college from Minneapolis, MN and have no idea if it was a waste of time not just going for my Bachelors Degree or Masters Degree. Ideally I want to get into Investigations but am either looking to work my way up or go back to school later. Now ideally I’d like to get into being a correctional officer, probation officer, or juvenile officer. Can any of those happen with just my Associates degree? If not, what would be the best path to take? What can I start doing?
i like this website because it helps and tells you the requirements. i am looking forward to becoming a Homicide Detective or what ever i put my mind to i have not decided yet but thankz
for anyone who an answer this question for me, I am in college at the moment and I am majoring in Criminal Justice and plan on taking other courses such as public speaking and communications to potentially help my chances of landing a job in any of the CJ careers, my dad is a police officer and former Marine and I’m trying to get in his police department. But the problem I think will come up is I was once in the Marine Corps and was discharged with a re-enlistment code RE-3P with CMC authority required for reenlistment, but I have read certain discharges could ruin your chances of becoming a police officer can anyone answer or give me some kind of direction to lean towards?
Hi there i am curious so i thought i would throw this out there. i am a 27 year old women and i was thinking of pursuing a career in my local police department or even surrounding area. Is there anything that i could do with out being a police officer the whole uniform thing and all i am just looking for something inside rather than out. What position do they normal have and what would i need to do to get to that point. I live in southern New Jersey.
thank you
I have a shunt or hydrocephalus. Can I still have a chance to become a police officer?
HeLLo! Im a full time student, working on my Criminal Justice Degree.I want to be a police officer and work my way up, but ive been doing some thinking because noone is actually hiring and i feel like i need to change my major if i want a job right after i get my degree near my home! which would be around Merced, Fresno or Visalia. Will what im trying to ask is what else can i do with a AA degree, although i am taking transferring classes to one day get my bachelors in criminal justice while being employed.
I am 20 years old and i am planing to go to a police academy in North Carolina. Can i become an officer in Florida with this training.
You’ll most likely have to get certified in the state of Florida.
thank you.
Hi, my question is what is the PHYSICAL test? What are you required to do? I have very bad asthma and have very weak arm strength. I can’t even do ONE push up…..
Very often you have to lift at least your own body weight (multiple times), perform many situps within 60 seconds, perform sprints and be able to run a mile and a half in under 13 minutes, on average (time gauge depends on the department). There are more tests that test your agility, endurance, accuracy, responsiveness, and even finger strength. Many, and I mean many, police departments have great information right on their website with the requirements for the physical test.
Hey I’m still in high school but i was wondering if I go to Uni and get my bachelors degree in Criminology would that help me achieve my goal as becoming a SWAT officer or do I need to go to the army and get experience
Thanks alot !!
I wear glasses and I wanted to know is that going to be a problem with becoming a police officer? I heard you have to have 20/20 vision uncorrected.I live in NYC.
What field in Criminal Justice provides a salary of $60k+ and $100k+ and how do I get to those positions?
High population areas can start you off at near $60k. For example, I heard Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office pays pretty well. Otherwise, Federal law enforcement, like FBI, DEA, ICE, and etc. would be the next best thing. Salary will also depend on the level of education, experience, and skills (prior special weapons training (SWAT), military experience, or ability to speak other languages). Unless you’re near a metropolitan area, or in a position to move, $60,000+ initial salary is very rare and you may need few to several years to work your way up to it (depending on some of the factors I mentioned).
What kind of jobs would you recommend for a non citizen wanting to work as a police officer in the future
I am 20 years old im in the military active duty army served 3 years already. I have a GED but am working on an associates degree in criminal justice. Any tips on how to start my career as a police officer?
thank you
I have a huge question, and haven’t really found a direct answer for it. I have been going to school for criminal justice in becoming a police officer for the past 2 years; however, am I wasting my time? Considering I have had a past with some drugs and some tickets, for example; I have done ecstasy when I was younger, have smoked marijuana, and have a drinking in public while the age of 18…Ever since, I have stopped with the drugs and immaturity. Now at the age of 21. Although this has all been in the past, I feel as if this while greatly impact and affect my eligibility towards being an applicant for a police officer. What do you think?
I was wondering what the best way to get started on becoming an officer. Do you think I should be a recruit or volunteer my time at the police station I want to work at? or should I just finish working on my bachelors in criminal justice then apply and then go to the academy? I am not sure what the best route is to become an officer. By the way I am 19 and a freshman at University of Phoenix.
I am originally from CA but had lived in WI for 3 years now. I will be earning my degree in CJ soon from a college here in WI. I plan to move back to CA after college and work in the law enforcement field. What should be my concerns about moving back to CA, since each states have different laws? Should I gain experience here first and later do a lateral transfer? I really don’t like it here in WI for many reasons. One thing for sure, I don’t want to retire here. What can I do?
Hi, I am currently a freshman in college and am studying criminal justice. I was wondering what career opportunities are available to me in the field that won’t require me to attend a police academy. The whole idea of going to one scares me, because I don’t think I could handle all of the physical fitness requirements.
Dear Sir,
My name is Rafid I was working with the Us Army in Iraq for 5 years as interpreter I’m Iraqi and I came to united states within 2 years to built my future I have 35 years now and I decide to study a criminal justice to be an police officer so if I start I will finish with about 39 so can I try
Rafid,
You might need to consider applying now vs when you are 39, because of the imposed age limits by law enforcement agencies (37 is a common age limit). Many police departments allow to acquire educational requirements while on the police force. Also, consider that most law enforcement agencies in the US require a candidate to have US citizenship, which you can obtain through naturalization, however, it’s a time consuming process and there are requirements that must be met under the immigration laws.
I’ll be graduating high school this upcoming summer. I am going to college for my bachelors degree in criminal justice. I was just curious as to how high in demand or the possibilities of a career for women police officers. And where the best academy would be to attend.
Hello. I am a 17 year old female, turning 18 in 3 months. I live in the Augusta, GA area. I had a few questions pertaining to policing. During high school I goofed off my sophomore and junior year, so my transcript is not top notch. I’m applying to get my GED, and I should have it soon. Will my goofing off in high school affect my chances of getting accepted into an academy if I have a GED? Also, my parents are in the military, so we move around allot. I was wondering, if I do however apply to a police academy or for a volunteer position, will the agency allow me to transfer from their academy or agency to an agency or academy in the area I move to?
Your high school grades may matter in pursuit of employment, especially if you don’t plan to go to college. A GED is an acceptable alternative to a high school degree and most law enforcement departments will allow one to apply with such a diploma. Be aware that many police departments, especially the mid to large agencies, will want at least some college or even a Bachelor’s degree at time of application or before attending the academy / before getting hired on OR within up to several years of obtaining employment.
As for transferring while attending police academy, I don’t think it would work in your favor. The job market, as I write this reply, is fairly fragile. And, even if certain agencies worked with each other closely, the staggering amount of money invested in each recruit who attends the academy (and then transferred to another one) would be an equivalent to “flushing money down the drain.” In essence, even if you went to the first academy and decided that the second location would be better, you would still have to start from scratch and you would forfeit your place at the first location and in all likelihood “burn your bridges” at the first police academy. Hope this makes sense.
I am trying to figure out what type of law enforcement degree to start with. I don’t quite understand the differences between an applied science degree in criminal justice and an applied science degree in law enforcement. I am not a hundred percent which direction I want to go in my law enforcement career. I was wondering if one type of degree is better then the other or which direction they tend to lead you. Any information can help. Thanks
Think of a criminal justice degree as a broader major when compared to a degree in law enforcement. The criminal justice system, as a whole, consists of law enforcement, corrections, and courts (just a few major sectors of the criminal justice system). Even forensic science and victim counseling falls under CJ. What a criminal justice degree will teach – in most cases – is the understanding of the different parts that make the criminal justice system what it is.
A law enforcement degree may only focus on the intricate inner workings of a law enforcement agency; especially, how it operates. Saying that, I have seen a number of colleges and universities mislabel their degree offerings where a degree in law enforcement or police science was eerily similar to the broader criminal justice degree. Make sure to research each school’s degree offerings and ask the admission staff questions if you’re not sure.
I can’t say which degree might be better, although I have a slight bias towards the criminal justice program.
im about to go to school for criminal justice and would like to know is there are still jobs out there in law enforcement people have told me there are and others have told me that there are not
It all boils down to location, location, location… Despite the economy roughing things up a bit for everyone, law enforcement agencies are shifting gears as well; some are hiring and some are on hiring-freezes, or even downsizing in some instances. It’s all about where you are, and better yet, where you are willing to go in order to get work. I gotta say it has been a little rough in the last few years. Hopefully this new year will bring growth in the police job market.
i just want to know if you don’t have a high school diploma can u still go to college and study, police foundation courses and get a job?
I am 99.9% certain that you will need a high school diploma or a GED in order to obtain a job as a police officer.
Sorry if this has been asked before, but i have always been interested in policing, and now at 30 find myself at a place where I could pursue the dream. I am in okay shape, but am thin for my height 5’9. Given my age and smaller stature, and unrelated college degree (BA, with no criminal justice training), would i have any chance of making it into the NYPD or a Federal law enforcement branch?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Hey Brandon, I know many police officers that are shorter than you, so you can defenestrate that myth. Also, I have been trying to get this notion out of people’s heads that a degree in criminal justice is not the only option. Imagine a police department that was made-up of just CJ grads, or lawyers, or accountants… it wouldn’t offer much of a diverse workforce now, would it? I don’t know what your Bachelor of Arts is in, but given all you have mentioned you should have a shot at the agencies that interest you. The NYPD and Federal law enforcement employment is some of the toughest to obtain, however. Keep that in mind and look elsewhere just in case.
I am 22 yrs old. and will be getting a bachelors in history and a minor in criminal justice. I’ve played college baseball for 4 yrs, and I know I can be a cop as far as the physical and mental aspects are concerned. My real question is will having the BA in hist w/ a crim. justice minor hurt me as far as getting hired? And are the hours for most cops the 12 hour shifts in which they have to work graveyard?
Would it hurt me if I didn’t have a criminal justice minor and only had a history degree? I ask this because my university does not have a criminal justice minor.
I have a huge question, and haven’t really found a direct answer for it. I have been going to school for criminal justice in becoming a police officer for the past 2 years; however, am I wasting my time? Considering I have had a past with some drugs and some tickets, for example; I have done ecstasy when I was younger, have smoked marijuana, and have a drinking in public while the age of 18…Ever since, I have stopped with the drugs and immaturity. Now at the age of 21. Although this has all been in the past, I feel as if this while greatly impact and affect my eligibility towards being an applicant for a police officer. What do you think?
I’m currently attending the Massachusetts Reserve Police Academy. And I’m a sworn Auxiliary Police Officer. My wife and myself are looking to relocate to Florida in a year. My question is do I have to attend the academy in Florida to secure a job with a Florida Law Enforcement Agency? Or what would I have to do to secure a job with a sheriff’s office or police department seeing i have training from another state?
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