1 answer
Izequiel
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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How do I become a police officer in law enforcement?
I am in 7th grade and I am wondering on what is required for me to become a police officer. Do I need to go to college for a degree or do I just need to go to training and get accepted?
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1 answer
Kevin P Hust, MBA
Risk Administration and Army Officer
201
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Kevin P’s Answer
Izequiel, thank you for knowing what you want to do at such a young age and more importantly, picking such a noble and wonderful profession.
To requirements to be a police officer actually are different from city to city and state to state.
Some police departments require you to be 18 and finish high school and others require you to be 21 and have a college degree. So it’s very different.
A few things almost every department in the country has in common though is that they need outstanding young men and women like yourself.
Almost every department requires that new police officer are upstanding citizens. No criminal required, no drug use, and be a good student. You should be in good physical shape too.
So what you can today to start your journey is take every class in school serious, respect your teachers, being active in school with sports and clubs, and maybe look into a city you want to live in or department you want to work for. That step will take a little research. The good thing about that though is it’s all public information on any city website. You still have time for this step though. Being serious about your studies and exercise and being a good person is the best start to a wonderful career.
You got this, we need more young adults like you. Best of luck.
To requirements to be a police officer actually are different from city to city and state to state.
Some police departments require you to be 18 and finish high school and others require you to be 21 and have a college degree. So it’s very different.
A few things almost every department in the country has in common though is that they need outstanding young men and women like yourself.
Almost every department requires that new police officer are upstanding citizens. No criminal required, no drug use, and be a good student. You should be in good physical shape too.
So what you can today to start your journey is take every class in school serious, respect your teachers, being active in school with sports and clubs, and maybe look into a city you want to live in or department you want to work for. That step will take a little research. The good thing about that though is it’s all public information on any city website. You still have time for this step though. Being serious about your studies and exercise and being a good person is the best start to a wonderful career.
You got this, we need more young adults like you. Best of luck.
Kevin P, thank you for your response and I hope this will help me along the way to become a police officer. Another question I have is if I need to go to any other type of school such as military school.
Izequiel
What types of education is required to get into a higher rank in law enforcement?
Izequiel
So military could help you in your journey but it is not needed. You can do both but you do not have to. In the military you can become Military Police but it is not just law enforcement like you are trying to be. Military Police has more options in it.
To get higher rank in the police department, usually it’s about time in the department and the passing a series of tests. It does not always require higher education but it never hurts.
You can definitely look into that AFTER you become a police officer.
I’d recommend focusing on school right now and being the best student and person you can be.
Kevin P Hust, MBA