How to Become a Police Officer

BY: NEHA MANDAVA

Training to be a police officer can be a tough and rigorous process. In fact, only 0.2% of the US population serves as police officers in their lifetime. From the beginning to the end of their service, police officers are committed to keeping citizens safe and law-abiding in their neighborhoods. The emotional and physical demands that a police officer faces are endless. However, if one is dedicated enough, the rewards that come with saving lives and helping others is truly fulfilling. Receiving a job in a police department is a huge honor. Regardless, there are many educational aspects that one must complete before becoming a full-fledged police officer. Graduating high school is a must for this career path. Having a bachelors or associates degree is preferable, but not necessary. Speaking multiple languages and having experience around the field can help one get into this career path.

There are many programs for police officer trainees to attend about law enforcement and human behavior. In addition, any budding officers with felonies are immediately rejected. Police officers should not have a criminal background, do drugs, or abuse substances. After they are tested for this, officers will take several exams. Physical fitness is very important for a police officer on duty. In fact, there are specific guidelines on how healthy a police officer should be, which are based on agility, hearing, sight, and more. They will also undergo a series of lie detector and physical tests to see how truthful and capable they are. Later, candidates will be put through rigorous interviews, and if they pass, be put into a police academy. In the police academy, trainees train to become a police officer. This helps fulfill the emotional and physical demands of the job. According to Dr. Steve Albrecht, an officer of the San Diego Police Department, "The academic material is quite broad, ranging from criminal law, report writing, courtroom testimony, patrol theory and operations, first-aid, accident investigations, use of force, and safe driving, and firearms training." If you thought that the police academy was the last of the process, you would be incorrect! After graduating the academy, recruits are fully fledged police officers. However, they still need to complete a training program with more experienced officers. These officers teach them the policies of law enforcement and mentor them in order to prepare for real world situations. All of these extraordinary tasks must be completed in order to achieve one’s goal of becoming a police officer. However, you must be at least 18 years old, be capable of driving, and be a legal resident of the United States in order to become a police officer in the USA. Some police departments even require applicants to be of 21 years of age! Although applicants need to complete this complicated process to be a police officer, there are other core skills that one must use in the workplace. Empathy is a strong emotion to have as an officer. Although officers must exhibit leadership, they need to be able fight for a cause that they believe in. Police officers also should have a lot of passion for their job. They should exhibit selflessness, as they will risk their lives to save other people and animals. Overall, being a police officer is extremely difficult and requires a lot of mental and physical toughness. By joining a career in law enforcement, you will be able to fulfill your dreams of furthering the safety of society.

REMEMBER:

"Overall, being a police officer is extremely difficult, and requires a lot ofmental and physical endurance. By joining a career in law enforcement, you will be able to fulfill your dreams offurthering the safety of society."