What are the best police officer qualifications and training to get ahead?

What is the best training for becoming a police officer? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective police officer?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Either college or military. Personally, I would suggest college. If you get into the public safety field and dislike it, you still have the degree to fall back on. Next point, do not major in Criminal Justice. It is a waste. What happens if you get into the public safety field and hate it? There isn't much you can do with that degree. I would suggest some sort of business (ie...Marketing, Advertising, or Accounting.) Also, if you really want to impress an agency, ENGLISH degrees are far and few between. If you hate police work, go to school, get a masters, and teach.

Hope this helps.

William I disagree with you about Criminal Justice degrees. There any many things a person can do with that degree. Parole, Probation, youth advocate, apply for Law School and so on.

I agree with both of you's to be honest im Spanish my father is Pore-requin he is in the U.K also a police officer he said to be a police follow the laws, believe in Justice, to suceed your dreams to be a police officer it doesnt mean degrees degrees but do you have what it takes if you do good on you qualifications do help you but also your mind will too.Remeber L.J.S Laws, Justice, Suceed.

William in Plainfield, Illinois said: Either college or military. Personally, I would suggest college. If you get into the public safety field and dislike it, you still have the degree to fall back on. Next point, do not major in Criminal Justice. It is a waste. What happens if you get into the public safety field and hate it? There isn't much you can do with that degree. I would suggest some sort of business (ie...Marketing, Advertising, or Accounting.) Also, if you really want to impress an agency, ENGLISH degrees are far and few between. If you hate police work, go to school, get a masters, and teach.

Hope this helps.

This is nice to hear about the English degree. I have been pursuing a Bachelor's in English and have recently become interested in Law Enforcement. I was very worried about whether my English degree would be of any use; thus, I searched "English degree and Police work" in Google and stumbled upon this. Thanks for your comments.