4 Requirements For Becoming a Police Officer

Other than the armed forces, there are very few jobs that are as noble as becoming a police officer. Police officers commit their lives to protecting civilians and keeping our streets safe.
So if you’re looking to make a positive impact on your community, there’s no better job than becoming a police officer.

But before you earn your badge, you’ll have to meet some basic requirements to enter the academy.
Here’s a list of some of them:

1. Your Age and Background

You have to be at least 21 years of age and a US citizen by the time you graduate from the academy. You’ll also need a valid driver’s license because you’re expected to drive on the job.
After you apply to a police academy, they will carry out a background check to ensure you have a clean record. Any criminal activities (felonies and misdemeanors) will disqualify you from the academy—including domestic violence convictions and DWIs over the last 5 years.
You will also go through a psychological evaluation to determine whether or not you’re mentally/emotionally sound.

2. College Credits

No, police officers don’t need a Bachelor’s degree to apply to the academy; however, they do need some college credits.

Each police academy sets its own college credit requirements. Some police academies may require a minimum of 60 college credits hours.
Usually, aspiring law enforcement officers study sociology, psychology, or computer programming alongside criminal justice.
Other than college credits, the ability to speak multiple languages can also improve your chances of being accepted into the academy. Being able to speak some of the most common languages in America—like Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, and Arabic will help you stand out.

3. Physical Fitness Requirements

Meeting physical fitness requirements for police officers is incredibly important. Police officers must be physically healthy so they can perform their duties. So understandably, their physical condition is put to the test.
Any impairments—like obesity, blindness, and deafness—will force the academy to reject your application. If you have any untreated mental impairments, you’ll probably be disqualified as well.
Once you’re in the academy, you’ll be expected to work on building your endurance and stamina.

4. Passing the Police Academy Entrance Exam

Just meeting the physical requirements isn’t enough to get you in—there’s a lot more to being a cop than stamina.
Before you apply to the academy, you’ll receive informational booklets and forms that you’ll need to fill out. You’ll also have to provide your original birth certificate, social security card, and driver’s license, and submit copies of your high school/college attendance.
If you’ve served in the military, you’ll need to submit the requisite documents.
You’ll be required to pass a written exam in which your problem-solving abilities and reasoning will be tested, along with your math skills.
Keep in mind that each academy has its own exam; some exams may even require you to fill out an incident report or write an essay. Your exam will be assessed on your ability to write, and your vocabulary and spelling.

Civil Service Success prepares aspiring police officers for the Suffolk County Police Exam. Its preparation courses cover cognitive ability assessment, required reasoning ability, and teach students how to answer questions related to experiences in work, school, and personality traits.
Contact them for more information. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Role and Responsibilities of a City Manager

Image
In a government that employs council members, a city manager is usually tasked with ensuring that everything runs smoothly.   Working as a city manager requires multiple skill sets and the ability to handle a wide array of responsibilities. After all, it’s not easy to keep a city running smoothly and without incident. Here’s a quick brief on what one should expect out of a city manager. Duties & Responsibilities While the people elect the city council, the city manager is hired by the city council  members. The city manager has to serve as the chief executive of the city government. Although the city manager has no authority to vote on laws and regulations, they are tasked with carrying out many responsibilities that are delegated to the city council.   Working as a representative of the city, the city manager is tasked with managing the city’s budget, overseeing staff and meeting with the head of departments to ensure everything is running smoothly. They even handle media attentio
Read more

How to Prepare for Sanitation Exam 2060 DCAS?

Image
The   sanitation exam 2060 DCAS  is commencing later this year, so you need to start preparing for it immediately to ace it. The exam tests a candidate's problem-solving, time management, cognitive, strength, and observation skills through a set of different tests. As you won't have much time to complete the test, it's best to work alongside a professional to prepare for the test. Civil Service Success  offers NYC sanitation exam prep classes  to help students work on their weak areas and clear the test with high merit. For more help, here are some tips to prepare for the NYC sanitation exams . Sanitation Exam 2060 DCAS  – How to Prepare for the Exam? 1.  Working on Required Abilities for the Sanitation Exam 2060 DCAS The sanitation worker's job is more focused on abilities than knowledge. Here are some abilities that are assessed in a candidate. Observation Skills: The test contains a few questions that check the candidate's ability to observe and find answers . Al
Read more

Everything You Need To Know About NYC Police Exams

Image
The NYPD is the biggest police department  in any city in the US. It's also one of the most satisfactory to work in. It's no wonder many people apply for  the Suffolk Police Exam  every time. They want to see themselves become the next Jake Peralta just as much as you do.  The only way to succeed is to learn about the exam and prepare for it better than an average candidate. Here's everything you need to know about the Suffolk and Nassau Police Exams. How Does the Exam Help You Get the Job? Like all entrance DCAS exams, the NYPD exam is competitive. After you pass the exam, you're ranked against all other candidates according to your score. When the department needs a new officer, they call a candidate from the top of the list. This means that scoring higher will get you the job earlier; if you score too low, your turn may not come until the next entrance exam. The written exam is the single most important part of the recruitment process. What's in The Exam?  Accord
Read more