published September 09, 2011 10:54:53 EDTIf you want to know how to become a police officer, the first step starts in high school, where you should take classes that fit the field such as jurisprudence, psychology or behavioral science. Physical fitness is also important if you want to be a police officer, so athletic involvement during high school is a big plus if you want to apply to the police department. In addition, a stint in the military, a ROTC
program or the National Guard are all excellent training for the police force because the physical skills and strategic training you get are the same ones you'll need in the police force.
If you're asking how to become a police officer you have to be aware that if you had criminal problems during your youth, even if they were when you were a minor, they're going to cause a problem when there's a background check. Also, you have to pass the police officer's civil service exam in order to qualify, so preparation for the test is advised. (You can find practice exams online or at a bookstore.)
Once you've passed the written test, the next step in how to become a police officer is taking the physical exam, which makes sure your hearing, vision, agility and strength all pass muster. They'll also give you a lie detector test and a drug test. If you want to become a police officer, integrity and fitness are equally important.
Although it's not absolutely required, attending a criminal justice school is a good road in how to become a police officer. There are many criminal justice schools around the country, including possibly the best known one, The John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. There are also a multitude of programs online that may fit your needs with lower cost and more flexibility. Not having a degree in criminal justice won't preclude you from becoming a police officer, but having one, whether it's an associate degree or bachelor's degree, will definitely help.
In addition, if you want to join the state police or a federal agency you'll absolutely need a four year college degree. The best bet if you want to know how to be a police officer is to contact all of the police departments you're interested in applying for and find out their specific requirements.
Finally, if you want to know how to become a police officer, beware that it is a grueling, demanding and frequently dangerous job. It depends on the area where you intend to work—a New York City Police Department officer is going to have more stress and danger than a suburban police officer who spends most of his time patrolling looking for traffic violations. However, all police officers experience danger and stress on the job and it sometimes affects their home lives as well (policemen and policewomen have a higher divorce rate than many other professions).
