How do I become a police officer?

cogenerate

Becoming a small town cop is actually harder than you might think.

Large cities have police academies. Small towns don't. Small towns are interested in applicants that are already qualified, meaning someone who has already had experience in law enforcement in a larger city. If it's a very small town, they may use Sheriff's dept personnel (cities have police academies and counties have sheriff academies).

Moving from one area to another as a law enforcement agent (police or sheriff) is called a "lateral" move. Some places have more difficult academies than others. For instance: if you trained at the Sheriff's academy in San Diego, California you could pretty much get a lateral to anyplace in the country... their academy is that good.

So, the first step would be to apply at a respectable academy. San Diego holds open applications (or try-outs) once a year at a local college (on a weekend). The time I tried-out, about 1500 people showed-up to apply. The application was broken into several stages which they broke us into groups for.

There was a written test which consisted primarily of comprehension. Lots of questions where they would write the same sentence 4 different ways and then ask you which way was the best.

There were 2 wall tests, a 7-foot chain-link and a 7-foot solid wood wall. You started 20 yards in front of each wall and had to get over the walls as quickly as possible.

There was a body drag test. They had a 200 pound dummy which you had to drag backwards 50 feet. You had to wrap your arms around the dummy from behind and walk backwards dragging it.

And finally, there was a run. Think it was a mile... don't remember how much time they gave.

About 3 months later I received a letter in the mail telling me there was a seat reserved for me at the academy... too bad I already found a more lucrative career path. Anyway...

I talked to a number of Sheriff's dept personnel when I was applying because I had similar interests in a small town. They told me the academy was 12 months and that I should expect to spend at least 18 months working at the prison once I graduated academy. After that, spend a year in the field and you can think about requesting a lateral to a small town.

Of course it depends all on the town. I suppose it's totally possible for a small town to hire someone as their peace officer without any prior experience or training... but not very probable.

Fox 5.3

Put your app in.

Most departments now require an associates degree or 60 college credits.

loose change

hangout in donut and coffee shops around 5 am

Mr. Goodhi

Go to cop school..

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