4 answers
Kryston
Student
Memphis, Tennessee
5
Questions
Asked
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How many years does it take to be a police officer ?
#choosing-a-major #police officer #higher-education #veterinarian #United States
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4 answers
Christine Pollock
Higher Education Professional
31
Answers
Updated
Christine’s Answer
Hi Kryston,
Sounds like you are considering a great career. Do you want to be an officer or a detective? I listed some websites below which I hope will help you get your answer. I included police officer and detective qualifications.
Usually you have to have a high school degree, but a college degree in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement would be very beneficial because of the possibility of a higher salary and a chance of promotions.
The website on “How to become a Police Officer” has a lot of information which I believe will be very helpful to you Kryston. It is straight forward with some very good information. It also talks about colleges and Law Enforcement programs which you may or may not be interested in, but the information about qualifications will hopefully be helpful.
I wish you the best of everything in your school and career endeavors, Kryston, you are looking at a great future.
Check this website to become a police officer: https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/police-officer/
Website about becoming a detective: https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Detective
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/police-officer/
Sounds like you are considering a great career. Do you want to be an officer or a detective? I listed some websites below which I hope will help you get your answer. I included police officer and detective qualifications.
Usually you have to have a high school degree, but a college degree in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement would be very beneficial because of the possibility of a higher salary and a chance of promotions.
The website on “How to become a Police Officer” has a lot of information which I believe will be very helpful to you Kryston. It is straight forward with some very good information. It also talks about colleges and Law Enforcement programs which you may or may not be interested in, but the information about qualifications will hopefully be helpful.
I wish you the best of everything in your school and career endeavors, Kryston, you are looking at a great future.
Christine recommends the following next steps:
Nick McGregor
Law Enforcement
35
Answers
Denton, Texas
Updated
Nick’s Answer
Hello Kryston! To be a police officer, you have to determine the standards for the location where you want to work. For example, here in Texas, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is the licensing agency for Texas Peace Officers. They have oversight on the licensing standards and education requirements to become a police officer. In Tennessee, it is considered a P.O.S.T. certification.
Each state has different guidelines. Some states leave these requirements up to individual cities or counties. Most require a high school diploma, and many places only recruit applicants with a college degree. Though a degree is not required, it often helps learn about the profession, while also helping understand different positions with the law enforcement career field.
Finally, most states require you to successfully attend and complete a basic police academy. Some states require this within a certain time frame, while others require the academy completion before being eligible to be licensed. This basic academy is going to require 4-6 months, minimum, to complete. Once finished, a law enforcement agency is then going to send you through a 12-18 week field training program. All of this will happen before you are released to work on your own. So, 8-12 months gets you in the door and working on your own. Then the real learning happens!
Visit the State of Tennessee P.O.S.T. website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/post.html
Narrow down your job interest: https://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-police-officer-jobs.htm
Pursue secondary education in that field of interest: https://www.collegeconsensus.com/degrees/law-enforcement/
Each state has different guidelines. Some states leave these requirements up to individual cities or counties. Most require a high school diploma, and many places only recruit applicants with a college degree. Though a degree is not required, it often helps learn about the profession, while also helping understand different positions with the law enforcement career field.
Finally, most states require you to successfully attend and complete a basic police academy. Some states require this within a certain time frame, while others require the academy completion before being eligible to be licensed. This basic academy is going to require 4-6 months, minimum, to complete. Once finished, a law enforcement agency is then going to send you through a 12-18 week field training program. All of this will happen before you are released to work on your own. So, 8-12 months gets you in the door and working on your own. Then the real learning happens!
Nick recommends the following next steps:
TLAUREN TLAUREN
CA
120
Answers
San Gabriel, California
Updated
TLAUREN’s Answer
The entire cycle of turning into a cop takes around 6 years. Let us take a gander at a top to bottom separate of this period. Hopeful cops should be 18-21 years old to apply for the post of a cop. They additionally need to have at least 2 years of an advanced degree.
Bryce Cromer
Student Teacher
89
Answers
Fort Myers, Florida
Updated
Bryce’s Answer
Hi Kryston,
This is a complex question as the time it takes to become a police officer varies greatly from department to department. The requirements to become a police officer are 19 years of age or older and a GED or high school diploma. Then there are specific requirements and screenings for each department, which once again vary from department to department. Lastly, you have to complete the academy which usually takes 2 to 4 months but can take up to 6 or 9 months. Upon completion of the academy you will be eligible to get hired.
This is a complex question as the time it takes to become a police officer varies greatly from department to department. The requirements to become a police officer are 19 years of age or older and a GED or high school diploma. Then there are specific requirements and screenings for each department, which once again vary from department to department. Lastly, you have to complete the academy which usually takes 2 to 4 months but can take up to 6 or 9 months. Upon completion of the academy you will be eligible to get hired.