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?

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.

Wow!

I really liked your post, interesting perspective. I was looking out for the same kind of information. Thank you everyone for sharing this useful info.

Police Officer is a part of law enforcement department of the state. Many times the job requires the directing of traffic, investigating a crime or aiding a victim of an accident or crime. In local, state and federal police related departments a police officer’s career description includes maintaining law and order, collecting evidence and conducting investigations. A career as a police officer can be immensely varied and rewarding.

There are certain requisites to become a Police Officer wherein he or she should start with education. Police departments require a basic high school education, and additional training such as an Associates or Bachelors degree is recommended. A number of colleges offer criminal justice programs for individuals interested in becoming a police officer. Most of these programs involve education in human behavior, legal issues, computer systems, and a variety of other subjects which assist law enforcement officers. The more advanced your training, the more successful your application as a police officer will be. This training will also serve you well in the field.

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[url=www.How2Become.co.uk]Become a police officer[/url]

I am in school now for criminal justice and there is a wide variety of law enforcement u could get into such as, secret service, us marshal, boarder patrol, local and state officers, corrections, parole, probation, fbi, cia. I believe if your determined u will succeed

Here are a few skills needed to excell

a) Must be good marksman

b) Good Self Defense Skill; Karate, Kung-Fu, Going Crazy, etc.

c) Know how to drive. It's a premium!

I disagree with william from illinois. I have wanted to be a cop since i could remember. I am currently enlisted in the Navy Reserves and I'm an MA (Military Police). After i get done with my A school i plan to get my bachelors degree in Police Science. In my opinion, if i was going to hire someone to be a cop for my department, i would want a person who has been in the military over someone who has just been in college. The military teaches you by constant hands on drills, compared to a college who tries to teach you out of a textbook. Not to mention the military is going to pay for you to get college credits on top of your military experience. The military is definetely the route that i would want to take

LAPD wannabe in Closter, New Jersey said: I've been told by friends who are in law enforcement that police depts. are setting the bar higher for education. They have told me that a Bachelor's degree is looked upon way more favorably than military experience unless you're an officer which would mean you have a degree anyway. Right now, many police depts. require 60 college credits just to apply. Therefore, if you're short of a Bachelor's degree or only have an Associates degree you're pretty much in the same boat as 70% of the other applicants. This doesn't really give one without a college degree much of a fair shot making it today, considering the limited openings compared to number of applicants, especially in today's economic climate. My friends have told me that most of the new hires that they've seen have BA's or BS's, alot different from 10+ years ago when many did have a military background or were just regular joes.

Yes you are right. Many police departments want or require you to have Bachelor's degree. Military gets you extra points but thats about it. You also have to get a high score on their test,be physically fit and do exceptionally well on the interview. In other words you have to be smart,look smart and above all speak smart. I live in an area that has 2 city police departments,1 county and 2 university police departments. When any of these are taking apps there is always a big turnout. Lots of competition so you have to be the best of the best.

I am a police officer, and I am in the process of getting my bachelor's degree. I can tell you that most smaller departments don't care about college degrees, and if you're going for one, keep it under wraps. It basically means you want to move on to bigger and better things. Old school cops think that a degree isn't worth the paper it's printed on, and the only thing that will make you a good cop is time behind the badge. Some departments have tried to move toward a requirement for a bachelor's, but recently some have backtracked, because they weren't able to get enough applicants. If you have a degee and you're young, great. Go US Marshall's, FBI, or something else. Honestly, anybody can be a cop in Texas by putting themselves through a self paid academy and getting hired in some podunk town. The only way a degree might make a difference and put you over the top, is for a department that runs its own academy and has 400 applicants for 13 academy spots. And even then, they will probably take the guy with the military background over you. Just sayin.

Better yet is Military experience and a degree. I am about to graduate with my Bachelors in Criminal Justice in a couple months and then I will start my Masters in Public Administration which I should finish up next year, all of that before I even get out of the military in 2013. Hopefully all that will be enough to find me a job in law enforcement but who knows for sure. Also I think a good one is be learn a language! I am trying to learn Spanish because I live in California.

Sean Haverty in Parkersburg, West Virginia said: I disagree with william from illinois. I have wanted to be a cop since i could remember. I am currently enlisted in the Navy Reserves and I'm an MA (Military Police). After i get done with my A school i plan to get my bachelors degree in Police Science. In my opinion, if i was going to hire someone to be a cop for my department, i would want a person who has been in the military over someone who has just been in college. The military teaches you by constant hands on drills, compared to a college who tries to teach you out of a textbook. Not to mention the military is going to pay for you to get college credits on top of your military experience. The military is definetely the route that i would want to take

i like the way u think! im MA as well for navy reserves! and they look at your military background big time! What is better than to do both? u have college and the military! like having a wet foot in the door!

Wendy in Burkburnett, Texas said: I am a police officer, and I am in the process of getting my bachelor's degree. I can tell you that most smaller departments don't care about college degrees, and if you're going for one, keep it under wraps. It basically means you want to move on to bigger and better things. Old school cops think that a degree isn't worth the paper it's printed on, and the only thing that will make you a good cop is time behind the badge. Some departments have tried to move toward a requirement for a bachelor's, but recently some have backtracked, because they weren't able to get enough applicants. If you have a degee and you're young, great. Go US Marshall's, FBI, or something else. Honestly, anybody can be a cop in Texas by putting themselves through a self paid academy and getting hired in some podunk town. The only way a degree might make a difference and put you over the top, is for a department that runs its own academy and has 400 applicants for 13 academy spots. And even then, they will probably take the guy with the military background over you. Just sayin.

Completely disagree with your statement.

Criminology diploma or degree, life experience, volunteer work completed with CSC (Correctional Services Canada), and any other experience working in halfway houses, parole etc. Also if you could get volunteer work completed with a police station or community policing, that would also help significantly. All of this will give you an idea on the type of environment you'll be working in. I did this myself and found it wasn't for me. I was more interested in the crime prevention side. Also you can prepare for your physical assessment.

what bachelor do you need to become a police officer?

wondering what need to be cop in today police job

iam studin for law enforment foundation...
and i wont to know what kind of job for its

gafa

Host said: 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?

NC COPS - Beginning a successful law enforcement career in North Carolina: A volume of NC COPS - Resources for succeeding in North Carolina law enforcem (Volume 1) [Paperback] This is an excellent book thats selling pretty good on Amazon and other book retailers. Author is a current police officer in NC and a NC training instructor. God Bless

J

Well, my friends not having a degree works in whichever state of the union but in Minnesota (the most restrictive requirements to get certified as a LEO) you cannot go to Skills (practical training by the way at a college facility) if you do not have at least an Associates degree(with 22 credits that are mandatory), only then you will be allowed to take the POST test and you get your licence only when you are hired not before.

If you want to flash your military credentials then the POST board says fine show me you 4 years of active duty as a MP.

I am a Doctoral student(with a BS, and two masters, I was enlisted as a 68W, went BCT, got MOS qualified as a Combat Medic (EMT and First responder by the NREMT), apply and got in OCS, graduated from OCS, have the security clearance, plus the commision as a 2LT, and on tiop of that I speak Spanish as you can see I have an awesome package to be hired by any agency....BUT, because I have the pre-reqs that the MN POST Board asks for I have been "obligated" to take the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement pre-reqs at a Community College. It sucks but it is the way to do it.

Great thing is that I will get pay for having college degrees (in MN 56K because Master, if i go to WI they pay 62K). Then my point even after I rant is the college degree will pay in the long run.
Bottom line at least here in MN and in the big agencies in other states I have been looking at you will need the 4 year college degree to make the cut.

was just wondering if anyone can think of some ways that having a criminal or drug past, can actually be beneficial to the police department ....basically can having a bad past actually make a good cop? im doing a paper for school so any facts or stats or info and opinions would help. thanks.

was just wondering if anyone can think of some ways that having a criminal or drug past, can actually be beneficial to the police department ....basically can having a bad past actually make a good cop? im doing a paper for school so any facts or stats or info and opinions would help. thanks.

smashieash in Palo Alto, California said: was just wondering if anyone can think of some ways that having a criminal or drug past, can actually be beneficial to the police department ....basically can having a bad past actually make a good cop? im doing a paper for school so any facts or stats or info and opinions would help. thanks.

I am not a LEO; but, I work in government and having a bad past basically kills any chance you have to go into the field. Some departments have relaxed their policies about drug use (depending on hard drugs or soft drugs and how long ago they were used by the applicant) but still if I were the person hiring I would not even look at the person with these "skills and or expertise" in their resume. It depends on how "bad" the criminal past and or drug use was. For minor infractions you could get a pass not so much for major stuff.

Hey al, i saw you said you were doing this before finishing the up the military, which i am going to begin in May. I was wondering, whats your MOS in the military, and besides Criminal Justice, what would be good degrees to go after, considering i plan on becoming a police officer after finishing my military contract. thank youuuuu for the help

My son is thinking about going into law enforcement. he is a grade 10 student and we are currently trying to find options for the best path to follow. Anyone know about the university of Regina BA in police studies?

Hey guys. I had a question I believe you all are qualified to answer. I'm joining the army in June. I have also wanted to work in law enforcement. I wanted to no if I could get a job as an officer. Without a degree. I'm not a very good student and school is very hard for me so I wanted to know if there is a way to achieve my goal without getting a degree. Any help/info would be much appreciated

Matt in Bolingbrook, Illinois said: Hey guys. I had a question I believe you all are qualified to answer. I'm joining the army in June. I have also wanted to work in law enforcement. I wanted to no if I could get a job as an officer. Without a degree. I'm not a very good student and school is very hard for me so I wanted to know if there is a way to achieve my goal without getting a degree. Any help/info would be much appreciated

Matt, DO NOT join the Army. I just got out of the Army. People who are all Gung-Ho Army are brainwashed. If you have a spine, a brain and ideas of how you want your life to be, the Army is NOT for you. you can ONLY be an officer with a degree. and dont believe the recruiter when he says "go active, let the army pay for your college and then do green-to-gold." You must ASK permission to go to college, and they will only let you take 1 class at a time. THEN, if you aren't kissing ass, you can forget about getting a favorable recommendation from your 1st sergeant and commander. The army only views its people as warm bodies to send to the frontlines. Good luck. College is NOT as hard as you think. I BARELY graduated high school on time, but made the deans list every semester in college. dont drink, dont get all wrapped up in chasing girls. Get your education and forget the military.

I cannot speak for the army but the navy is great if you want a free degree so do not forget the military. It will not he easy because your working full time but get your degree and don't make excuses. Dreams aren't easy, they take work but that is why they are called dreams, you have to work to make them reality. I have been in the Navy 4 years. In that time I have seen the world, got married, had a child and soon to be another, boggy a nice house, got my Bachelors degree and I am starting my masters degree. What more can a guy ask for out of a job. By the way I'm only 24. Like I said it isnt easy but even if your out at sea you can do school because they bring teachers with us. Trust me stop wasting time and get your degree as soon as your out of boot camp.

I cannot speak for the army but the navy is great if you want a free degree so do not forget the military. It will not he easy because your working full time but get your degree and don't make excuses. Dreams aren't easy, they take work but that is why they are called dreams, you have to work to make them reality. I have been in the Navy 4 years. In that time I have seen the world, got married, had a child and soon to be another, boggy a nice house, got my Bachelors degree and I am starting my masters degree. What more can a guy ask for out of a job. By the way I'm only 24. Like I said it isnt easy but even if your out at sea you can do school because they bring teachers with us. Trust me stop wasting time and get your degree as soon as your out of boot camp.

Hey guys I'm a student right now at community college and I'm about 90% done with my associates of arts degree. I have taken courses in speech, criminal justice, computer classes etc. I'm 21 years old and I'm wondering what degree would give me the best chance to get hired by a police dept. I live in Oregon and I'm looking to move up to Washington eventually. Just looking for tips on what degree would set me up to get hired by a police dept. Thanks!

I have a couple questions. I am getting out of the Navy soon and want to be a detective some day with the RHD division of the LAPD. I have a BA in criminal justice from Brandman University which is apart of the Chapman University system. Is this school likely to hurt my chance with the LAPD as it is not a top school or even a heard of school? I want to get my Masters but which program would be better for a wannabe detective, an MPA or a CJ degree?

sir i want to be a police officer..so plz give me the steps to be a police officers like s.p,d.s.p,a.c.p....

bruna in West Orange, New Jersey said: Hey al, i saw you said you were doing this before finishing the up the military, which i am going to begin in May. I was wondering, whats your MOS in the military, and besides Criminal Justice, what would be good degrees to go after, considering i plan on becoming a police officer after finishing my military contract. thank youuuuu for the help

I am an AZ which is aviation administration, so.. absolutely nothing related to law enforcement. I did however volunteer to go to base security part-time so I stand my watches there and I am getting experience around law enforcement and security that way. It isnt probably as good as being an MP or MA but it is better than nothing. I just hope that with my degree and military experience it will be enough to get me on with the LAPD. I would say the best Bachelors is a criminal justice one but it depends on what you want to do. Try looking into some better schools in the country, such as the news week report on top CJ schools in the country, those will look better to employers. My bachelors was through Brandman University which is not a top school, but my Masters will be through Cincinnati University which is top 3 in the country in CJ programs. An MPA is also a good degree for managers but I did not think it was for me because I want to be a detective before a manager.