By Dr. Jarrod Sadulski | 08/02/2024
Becoming a police officer is a major accomplishment. However, law enforcement agencies have a much different hiring process than most careers.
An applicant's history, judgement, drug use, and character are typically scrutinized in this process, especially since police officers have a significant amount of responsibility, authority, and discretion. As a result, strict hiring standards are necessary to become a police officer.
Educational Requirements for Becoming a Police Officer
Typically, a high school diploma is needed to apply as an officer. This diploma prepares applicants for other entrance exams that are common in police hiring. For example, police applicants in Florida may be required to take a Basic Abilities Test.
In addition to a high school diploma, many police departments prefer or require some post-secondary education. Subjects such as law, psychology, and sociology are particularly beneficial since they can provide knowledge that can be useful in the field. Some departments also offer incentives for officers with a college degree.
Police academies also provide essential training, which includes:
- Classroom instruction in laws and regulations
- Hands-on training in firearms, first aid, and emergency response
- Physical conditioning
This training is crucial to prepare candidates for the challenges of a career in law enforcement.
Submitting an Application to a Law Enforcement Agency
The first step in becoming a law enforcement officer is to apply to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The application will require detailed information. To assist in determining the applicant’s character, the application may ask about a candidate’s work history, drug history, address history, criminal history, and other information.
Physical and Written Tests
Prospective police officers should plan for a physical agility test to ensure they have the physical ability to meet the demands of being a police officer. A written test may be part of the initial application process as well.
To become a police officer, applicants will likely be screened for the truthfulness of the content provided on their application. A law enforcement agency may use polygraph tests, voice stress analyzers, or other lie detection devices.
Polygraph tests attempt to determine deception through measuring physiological responses in someone's body that may include changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or perspiration when answering questions. Typically, the polygraph examiner may provide a new questionnaire when the applicant arrives at the facility where the polygraph is administered.
Polygraph examiners will often compare answers on the questionnaire to the initial application. Applicant responses should remain consistent. If a polygraph examiner detects a conflict in applicant responses, that will often be a major focus during the polygraph test.
Polygraphs are not 100% reliable and are typically not admissible in court. There have been cases where deception was not detected and other cases where the applicant failed the polygraph despite telling the truth. When participating in the polygraph process, it is best for applicants to be completely honest on an application.
When determining eligibility requirements, police departments do not expect that candidates have never done anything wrong. Admitting wrongdoing or drug use at the beginning of the application process is helpful because agencies can more easily determine if past behavior disqualifies the applicant.
This disqualification in the early stages of applying can save both the applicant and the police department time and money. For example, some misdemeanor criminal history charges or some prior drug use may not disqualify a candidate.
By contrast, felony convictions or a dishonorable discharge from the military will likely disqualify the applicant. Also, a misdemeanor involving perjury or providing a false statement to authorities can also be grounds for disqualification.
Psychological Examination
Another important aspect of the background investigation is the psychological examination. This examination usually begins with an extensive test that asks the same question in multiple ways. A candidate should remain consistent while providing responses.
Also, an interview with a psychologist is often a part of this employment process. The psychologist may deliberately make provocative statements to the applicant to elicit a response.
In this manner, the psychologist determines applicants’ ability to control emotions such as anger. Law enforcement officers need to have the ability to remain calm in intense and stressful situations, especially when they are talking with an agitated citizen or are in a life-threatening situation.
Background Investigation
Background investigators traditionally contact the applicant's references and neighbors before a conditional offer of employment is made. These investigators ensure that the applicant has a valid driver's license, a good credit history, and the minimum qualifications to become a police officer. A candidate’s employment history is also reviewed for indicators of dependability and integrity.
Medical Examination
A medical examination is often part of the police officer hiring process. Color perception and additional requirements may be part of the medical exam.
Once an applicant meets the job requirements and successfully completes the minimum requirements, there is a one-on-one interview with someone from the command staff. Most officers pass this interview as the background packet is reviewed.
Additional Qualifications Needed by Prospective Police Officers
While being a high school graduate may be a minimum standard for becoming an officer, having a college degree or a record of military service provides additional knowledge that can be useful. For example, having an associate degree or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college can be handy for a prospective officer. Military experience can also help provide candidates with beneficial knowledge and experience.
Police Officer Employment
Once a candidate meets the minimum requirements to become a law enforcement officer, then enrolling in the police academy is typically the next step. For candidates, the amount of time it takes to graduate from this type of academy can vary.
Police Academy Training
In a police academy, a law enforcement officer in training can expect to learn many important subjects. Liability, defensive tactics, first aid, defensive driving, and criminal law are part of the academy's training. Earning a passing score in the academy is essential.
Sometimes, there are exceptions to the police academy's training. Once an applicant with law enforcement experience in other states passes the background check, he or she may not be required to go through the entire police academy process.
Differences from Military Training
The police academy's training program is different than the Armed Forces basic training when it comes to becoming a law enforcement officer. Basic training in the military is typically more focused on changing the behaviors of candidates, while the training process in a law enforcement academy is often more academic-based. Also, the military’s basic training often has more physical conditioning.
Becoming a Sworn Police Officer
Once a candidate is able to successfully complete the police academy and passes the applicable state exams in the training program, that candidate can become a sworn officer. The next step is to complete the field training program in a police department or law enforcement agency. New police candidates are assigned a veteran police officer who provides daily, on-the-job training.
Police officers are evaluated by their training officer. If new police officers show indicators that they are unable to follow police officer policies and procedures or show signs of cowardice, they may be terminated during the field training phase. Having experience as a former police officer from another agency can be helpful.
Once an officer successfully passes the field training phase, they will be assigned a supervisor and squad as part of their employment. Good cops will watch out for and support new officers.
Education and Experience Is an Important Part of Becoming a Police Officer
Learning is a lifelong process. Continuing education requirements are common and may be part of the yearly block training required for accreditation.
I have served over 25 years between three different law enforcement agencies and earned my college degree in criminal justice from American Military University (AMU) while I served as a law enforcement officer. My education helped me on the job in law enforcement because I could relate the concepts I learned in class to real-world applications.
I believe that my college degrees helped me become a better law enforcement officer because I gained a deeper understanding of criminal justice than what I learned in the academy. My college education was also useful when I became a criminal justice instructor at AMU.
Criminal Justice Degrees at American Military University
American Military University (AMU) offers four criminal justice degree programs designed for adult learners who are aspiring and current law enforcement professionals. These programs include:
- An online associate of arts in criminal justice
- An online bachelor of arts in criminal justice
- An online bachelor of science in criminal justice
- An online master of arts in criminal justice
These academic programs use a curriculum that integrates real-world experience with academic theory, delivered by faculty with extensive backgrounds in law enforcement, corrections, and the legal system. The development of analytical, ethical, and practical skills essential in the criminal justice field is also emphasized.
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
The associate of arts in criminal justice serves as an introduction to the basics of criminal justice. Courses in this program cover topics such as evidence and procedures, juvenile delinquency, intercultural communication, emergency and disaster incident command, and criminal justice administration.
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
The bachelor of arts in criminal justice is designed to equips students with a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system. It focuses on local, state, and federal criminal justice and provides an international perspective on crime.
Students will explore topics such as political and public administration, criminology, and community relations. They will also apply prevailing theories to their coursework, design impactful research, and understand the influence of evidence standards and law on the system and its professionals.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The bachelor of science in criminal justice is more science-focused than the other bachelor’s degree. It emphasizes the application of digital forensic science and data analysis to support law enforcement activities. Students will also explore various investigative techniques, understand the nature and scope of forensic science, and learn about the adjudication process.
Throughout their courses, students will develop critical thinking, analytical, and ethical decision-making skills. Courses in this program also focus on enhancing communication abilities, which are crucial for interacting with diverse populations and working effectively within the criminal justice system. The hands-on training provided through the program ensures that students are well prepared for real-world challenges and responsibilities.
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
The master of arts in criminal justice is designed to assist adult learners in the development of leadership skills and a greater knowledge of contemporary issues in criminal justice. In this program, students will become familiar with major criminal justice systems, analyze theories of criminal behavior, evaluate emerging criminal threats like terrorism, and assess changes in the rule of law.
For more information on AMU's degree programs, please visit our program page.
Dr. Jarrod Sadulski is an associate professor in the School of Security and Global Studies and has over two decades in the field of criminal justice. He holds a bachelor’s degree Criminal Justice from Thomas Edison State College, a master’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University, and a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Northcentral University.
His expertise includes training on countering human trafficking, maritime security, mitigating organized crime, and narcotics trafficking trends in Latin America. Jarrod has also testified to both the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate on human trafficking and child exploitation. He has been recognized by the U.S. Senate as an expert in human trafficking.
Jarrod frequently conducts in-country research and consultant work in Central and South America on human trafficking and current trends in narcotics trafficking. Also, he has a background in business development. For more information on Jarrod and links to his social media and website, check out https://linktr.ee/jarrodsadulski.
