How long does it take to become a police officer?

Infamous

Age Requirment: Most states require 21, some allow 18.
Amount of Education: High School Diploma. Advise to get your Associate's Degree, though.
Service Term: Length you want to work for
Retire: Generally 52+

Police Academy depends on state. California requires 664 hours of instruction, however some academies go above that, such as Butte College, requiring 900 hours.

Fred P

Age - generally 21 before you're brought on full-time. You can usually apply when you're 20-1/2.

Time - Once you've applied and started the testing process, it usually takes 4-6 months or so for the background, testing, psych/poly/med tests, etc.... then another 4-6 months for the academy (depends on the state). Figure on a minimum of a year from first application to academy graduation. You'll spend several years (at least) in patrol before you're "street-smart" enough to be able to move into investigations.

Education - depends on the department. You need at least a HS diploma or GED. Some agencies require some college, and some require a BS/BA or AA/AS degree.

Length of Service - You can work there as long as you want. If they put you through the academy (at their cost), you usually agree to stay there for a few years so they can recoup their cost. Once you graduate from the academy, you would spend from 1-3 years on probation to get your Basic POST certificate (depending on the agency and state). After that, it's a simple matter to lateral over to other departments.

Retirement - depends on the agency and retirement system in place. Most officers retire at 20 years or so, so they can get the max benefits.

CA Deputy

Mithaniel Marr

18
Highschool
There is no service term
Police officers generally retire before 50.

Police Academy is 3 months.

just curious

You have to work ten to twelve years as a police officer before you can graduate to the Steve Academy.

William B

Age requirement is 21 - 35/36(21 years old due to the firearm. Can be waived by Police Commander if its a small town // 35/36 years old in most cities is the cut off for allowed to apply, if over that age you cannot apply).
You must at lease have a HS diploma or a GED. (NOTE: its bad to say this but its a fact. If you are a minority you stand a greater chance getting hired. Its a fact because their are low minorities in law enforcement and they are mandated to fill the quota)
Educations that help:
Military
2 or 4 year Degree in Justice Administration
Working on a Police Reserver

Its not the Miltary. There is no determined service. You can quit when ever you want. But, you have the ability to retire from most law enforcement agencies at twenty years. However, your pensions get higher the more years you put in. So most work till 28 years and retire at 50 years. Why, because they are able to draw their retirement at 50 which you can do with most civil service positions (firemen) but not at any other job agency typically.

Check the city which you intend to apply website for hiring process.
Major Cities require:
You must pass a written exam.
You must pass a oral review board.
You must pass a physical agility test.
You must pass a psychological test.

I was a Sheriff officer so thats my resorce.
My sister has been a officer for 22 years and will be retiring soon.

Rock Firestorm

Sorry. They don't allow people to join the police who don't know how to capitalize words. Perhaps a job in the fast food industry might suit your level.

Hope this helps.

John

Hey rock..You would have to be the biggest ass in the world..what hope do your kids have with a loser like you. I would say you are a lonely bored sick lazy slob with no friends. I bet you bring everyone else down because you have such a miserable abnormal life. Leave the kid alone encourage him. Now go throw yourself off a cliff. Hey kid you go for it and become the best you can. I would go for the top job. Head of lapd and you know what you can do it. Then book that slob rock everyday of his life. Wake up everyday and book him. If I can be a welder with no arms you can become a cop. I weld with my feet.

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