become a police officer (college, live, law)

[jordan121]

I am interested in becoming a police officer. Can anyone suggest me the best ways to become one?

[Huckleberry3911948]

to be kind and show respect--- most people have no idea what it is to be a police officer.
suggestion. ask for an interview with one and find out.
you will be surprised by what it is really like, not like TV at all.

[gobrien]

Check out the web site of the police force you are interested in, there should be information.

[warptman]

Join a Police Academy?

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by jordan121

I am interested in becoming a police officer. Can anyone suggest me the best ways to become one?

Well don't know where you live, and the requirements vary from State to State.

What you might want to do is contact the local police department and ask if you can go for a few rides with an office on shift, most have some kind of citizen patrol you can ride under. That will let you see a small sliver of what they do. Then you can join an auxiliary most department have, you can go though the Academy and become a volunteer police officer and when a department opening comes up, you would be in the right spot to go full time.

[Lawman_Kyle]

To become a police officer you need to bet in fit physical shape, have a clean driving/criminal record and must be 21 years old. You have to be able to use a firearm and take a life if you have too. You also have to be willing to lay yours down....

What you see on cops isn't it. You sit on your butt pushing a pen about 90% of the time waiting for that 10% of excitement.

Your gonna see dead bodies, mutilated bodies, blood, drunks, badly beaten men and women. It's definitely not glorious at times.

That said, it's a very rewarding job. You will have an inner pride only a public serviceman can get. Your family will be proud, and you'll be looked up to by most.

I went to college to become an officer. I took two years of criminal justice and went through CLEET which is the Oklahoma Certified Law Enforcement Education Training program which is required in most states. Alaska's is called ALET. Apply to several agencies. The hiring process is very long....usually takes a month or two at the fastest. When I was with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol it took 7 months from the day I turned in the application to the day I got accepted. I've had my application in with the AST over two months now, and just got word that I have a background interview in a few weeks over the phone. My testing date isn't til June, and if I make it, the academy doesn't begin til August......so I'm looking at 10 months for this ONE application.

Best of luck to you! Check with local departments and see if you can ride along with an officer. You'll have a blast.