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Is it better to go to college to be a cop or not?

If you want to be a cop is it better to go to college? #college #police #law-enforcement #police-officer

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Kim’s Answer

Jordan,


An increasing number of departments are requiring college, usually 60 hrs or an Associate's degree. Unfortunately, when you first become a cop, it is not always with the dept of your choice - you submit a lot of applications, and hopefully one will accept you! So, it is a good idea to have college. Not only will it help you in the hiring process, but many depts pay extra for education, and, it will help you to advance through the certification levels, which, they also pay extra for!


It is easier to go to school while you are still young. The older you get, the harder it is! It's also easier to go fulltime before entering the workforce, than doing it parttime while working fulltime. However, if you want to go for a bachelors, you might wait until you are working. Why? Some depts have tuition assistance! If you can get someone else to pay for part of your education, that's a pretty good deal!


I don't know if you have considered the military, but I know a lot of depts have many officers with military background.


I wish you the best - let me know if you have more questions!

Kim
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James’s Answer

Most do not require a college degree. Take that information with a grain of salt. You may be able to be hired on, but make sure to look at the person to your left and right. That is who you will be competing with in order to grow within the department. A college degree will make you much more competitive for promotion. I once met a police officer that said he could never see someone in his department make it past lieutenant without a four-year degree. My advice? Apply, see if you get in, then work on your degree after you finish the academy. By the time you finish that degree, you may be eligible for your first promotion.
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Beate’s Answer

It depends on the hiring police department. Some require college to be admitted to the academy. Check out this website for info and links to state specific requirements and more info: https://policeacademyhub.com/
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