What Preparation is Involved for Police Officer Employment?
In the US, there are basic police officer requirements. Police officer careers generally require a minimum age of 20 and at least a high school diploma. Good health and fitness is necessary too. The exact requirements vary based on the rules put in place by different cities or states who hire police officers. A more advanced education than high school is needed by certain police departments. Police officer training is a mandate that nearly all future officers need to attend a police academy for. Those looking to get a leg up on their careers or to get higher pay and more responsibility will complete either two year or four year college degrees in areas such as criminal justice, law enforcement, police science, or public administration, and many departments will pay for their officers to complete such a degree. To become a federal agent, graduating from college is a prerequisite. Passing a civil service test following civil service mandates is the deciding factor on who can become a police officer in many states. The exams are tough with many people taking them.