How to Become a Police Officer: A Simple Guideline
Becoming a police officer has become a little more difficult today. With the crimes increasing, police officers are also on high demand. Most police departments require at least two years of college for one to be a candidate to become a police officer. If you have what it takes to be a part of the police department, here is a simple guideline for you on how to become a police officer.
To start with, you must answer these following questions prior to applying to a police department.
- Is the police department on the process of hiring?
- What are the qualifications needed?
- How do I apply?
It would be of great help to answer these questions before your application process.
Most police departments hire new police officers at a specific time in a year. Some may even hire only when vacancies exist. To be able to know when the police department is hiring, you just have to surf on the Web. You may begin your search by typing in www.usacops.com on your browser. When you are on the home page, you will see an interactive map of the United States. Just click on the state you live. The map of the state you live will show up which are then broken down into counties. Compile at least twenty police departments in your area. Click on the county you live and a list of police agencies will show up as well. Write down each of the police department and click on each surrounding county. By doing this, you will easily have at least twenty on your list.
When you already have your complete list, pull up Google and type in the name of the first police department on your list. It is estimated that almost all police agencies have their own website. Once you are on their website, search for buttons such as jobs, careers, employment, join our team, etc. Click on the button that will take you to the agency’s employment page. Police departments would make it clear when they are hiring. With this, you would be able to answer your first question on how to become a police officer, which states “Are they hiring?” In addition, they will also list the dates and deadlines regarding the application process.
Now that you know if the police department is hiring or not you have to answer the second question on how to become a police officer, which states, “What are the qualifications needed?” This is quite easy to know. You just have to look for the position announcement. You will be searching on their college requirements, age, sight requirements, if you have gone through a police academy, etc. If you have determined their qualifications and you are able to meet their criteria, you will most likely be ready to apply for the said position.
Lastly, you have to answer the last question on how to become a police officer, which states, “How do I apply?” There are police departments that will conduct an application process on their websites wherein you can download and print immediately. It is necessary that you fill up the application correctly and neatly. By doing the same process, you will be able to apply as many departments on your list.
These are just basic guidelines on how to become a police officer. It is all up to you to do the rest to achieve your goal.