To become a police officer, you meet an agency’s basic requirements (often US citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license and a minimum age, commonly 21), pass a multi-stage hiring process, graduate from a police academy that meets your state’s standards, and complete field training with an experienced officer. Some agencies require college credits or a degree.
What the job is like
Patrol work is the starting point for almost every officer, and it is far more varied than crime shows suggest.
- Calls for service: traffic collisions, disputes, thefts, welfare checks, mental health calls and alarms, often back to back.
- Writing: detailed, accurate reports for nearly everything, which may be read later by prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges.
- Community contact: talking with residents, business owners and people on some of the worst days of their lives.
- The schedule: rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays and mandatory overtime, with court dates on days off.
- Later options: detective, traffic, K-9, training, school resource, special teams and supervision, usually after years on patrol.
Education and entry routes
- High school diploma or GED: the minimum at many agencies.
- College: some departments require an associate or bachelor’s degree, or a set number of credits, and some offer higher pay for it. Criminal justice is common, but psychology, sociology, languages and other majors are useful too.
- Military service: often valued, and sometimes accepted in place of college credits.
- Cadet and community service officer roles: some agencies hire younger people into civilian roles and sponsor them through the academy later.
The hiring process
Hiring usually takes months. Expect most of these stages, in some order:
- A written exam testing reading, writing, reasoning and judgment.
- A physical ability test, such as running, push-ups and an obstacle course.
- An oral board interview.
- A thorough background investigation covering your work history, driving record, finances, references, social media and any criminal history. Honesty matters more than a perfect past.
- In many agencies, a polygraph exam.
- Psychological and medical evaluations and a drug screen.
Academy, field training and state standards
Every state sets minimum standards for officers, usually through a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board or similar agency. Academies typically last several months and cover law, defensive tactics, firearms, driving, first aid, de-escalation and report writing. After graduation, you complete a field training program riding with a field training officer, followed by a probationary period. Requirements vary by state and agency, so check your state’s POST board and the departments you are considering.
A path starting in high school
- Focus on writing and communication; strong report writers stand out.
- Stay out of legal trouble, drive carefully and be thoughtful about what you post online. It will all come up later.
- Join a youth explorer or cadet program if one exists in your area.
- Get fit and stay fit. The physical test screens out applicants in every hiring cycle.
- Gain work experience, college credits or military service while you reach the minimum age.
- Apply to several agencies, complete the academy and field training.
Before you apply
- Ask about a ride-along with a local department. Most offer them.
- Attend a citizen police academy, a free program many departments run.
- Talk with officers through informational interviews, including newer officers and veterans of the job.
- Consider a civilian job such as dispatcher or records clerk to see the work from inside.
Who does well
Officers who thrive are calm under pressure, good listeners, physically fit, ethical and comfortable making decisions quickly with incomplete information. People leave because of shift work, strain on family life, physical injuries and the cumulative stress of traumatic calls. Many agencies offer peer support, and a licensed mental health professional is the right step when the stress builds. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Entering law enforcement later
Many recruits are in their late twenties or thirties, coming from military service, security, corrections or other careers. Life experience can help in the interview and on the street. Our guides to changing careers, a mid-career pivot and a career without a degree can help with planning. For pay and outlook, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps a young adult explore whether law enforcement fits, prepare for each stage of hiring, stay accountable to fitness and study goals, and handle the first months on the job. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors, recruiters or licensing experts. Learn about our career and education mentoring and young adult mentoring.
Related
- Career paths: guides to dozens of careers
- How to become a firefighter
- How to become a paramedic
- Helping a teen choose a career
- What can you do with a Criminal Justice degree?
Common questions
How old do you have to be to become a police officer?
Many agencies require you to be 21 by academy graduation or hiring, though some accept applicants at 18 to 20. Check each department’s requirements.
Do police officers need a college degree?
Not always. Many agencies require only a high school diploma or GED, while others require college credits or a degree.
How long is the police academy?
Academies typically run several months, depending on the state and agency. Field training and probation follow.
Can I become an officer with something in my past?
It depends on what it was, when it happened and the agency’s rules. Some things are disqualifying; others are weighed case by case, and being honest throughout the process matters.
Get started
Considering law enforcement and want help preparing for the process? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.