Have you really thought this through? Have you thought about what it really takes to become a police officer? Do you really think you can do the job? Trust me, law enforcement as a career is not for everyone. Not everyone that starts out makes it to retirement.
This job is hard on some people. Some make it. Some don’t. It’s just the nature of the job. As you have probably heard from other places I’m sure, this quote is very appropriate for Law Enforcement, “with great power comes great responsibility”.
There is no greater responsibility than taking care of your fellow man and protecting those that cannot protect themselves. This is an occupation that sometimes calls for taking a human life on a split second decision and you alone are the one making it. That is one of the greatest responsibilities you can have in this world. Guard it with care.
So you may be asking why listen to this guy? What makes him think he can tell me about being a cop? Well I am and have been a cop (Police Officer) in Florida going on 33 years now.
I have served in both small and large agencies (3 and a break for serving in the U.S. Army). I have served in many different units, Narcotics (where I was involved in my first shooting), Patrol, Traffic, DUI Task Force, Dive Rescue Team, Traffic Homicide Investigation, Training Unit, Academy Staff, and now my current position (for the last 20 years) Police Academy Trainer (and Police Commander up until Dec 6th, 2010).
I teach and travel a lot, teaching all over the world. I have been as far away as Singapore to teach their police officers. I am currently the Police Academy Coordinator at a major North Florida Institute of Public Safety.
What type of police work are you looking at? Federal? State? County? How about city police? There are scores of different types of police agencies out there. Some with very specific tasks like ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms) and so on.These federal agencies all have a very specific task.
Then you have the “full service” type of agencies like the FBI, State, County and local police. Those agencies do all types of policing. The United States is unique in that we do not really have a “national” police force as much as leaving that job up to the local and state levels.
Know your state requirements. Each state has different laws pertaining to what are the minimum requirements for someone to become a police officer. Some states require a person to be 21, others 18; some require only a high school diploma while others require a college degree.
Then there are the agency specific requirements. Some agencies have stricter requirements than others do. Some require that an applicant have a clean arrest record. Some allow for minor charges. Check with the state and particularly the agency you are wanting to apply to.
OK, you’ve passed those requirements and have now decided to apply. First, you have to decide where you want to live and with that, what agencies are in that area. You should research the departments on the Internet and see where they are located, their size, and what kind of agency they are. Look at the benefits, retirement and other things that are offered to their officers.
You should also talk to a few of the patrol officers. Make sure you get a good overall picture of the department. Look the department up in the press. I am not saying that the news is a good view of the department, but a department that is constantly in the news because of officers being in trouble may need a second look before applying. You need to make that call. Just make sure you have all the information you can gather before sitting down with your family and talking this over.
Applying: If you can’t apply online, go to the department and get an application or to the human resources section of the city or county wherever you are applying. It is recommended that males and females dress professionally and continue this practice every time you make contact with the department. Also, make sure you have taken out the purple hair coloring and all the face piercings. You need to look like you meet the appearance standards for the department or academy. Shave and make sure you look like you are going to a job interview. Remember, first impressions are very important.
Always remember, the impression you leave with the people in HR and those that see you going into and out of the department can be very important. I can tell you that the young man that sat in my orientation for the police academy with a bright orange Mohawk 6 inches tall left an impression with me. However, he showed up on the first day with a shaved head. That was a smart move.
The Application: Be sure to fill it out completely and accurately. Leaving something off the application can get you disqualified. You will have to list everything it asks and they expect it to be complete. Sit down, make a list of all your past jobs, addresses, and schools to assist when filling it out. If you have a tough time remembering all your jobs, you may want to pay one of the on-line sites that do background checks on you to give you one on yourself. It will help to jog your memory, and give you an idea of the stuff that is out there on you. In addition, you can use your Social Security history to help. Visit the Social Security web site to assist with obtaining and employment history.
Make sure you type or print LEGIBLY! If they cannot read your application, it will be canned quickly. Misspelling, typos and other errors are also problems. If you have bad penmanship or problems writing then practice before filling it out. Follow the directions exactly as it says on the application.
Make sure you have all the requested documents attached and in order before you turn in your application, or it will just sit there until you do. If it says to get a driving history, get one and attach it. Failure to do so will earn your application a quick trip to the “hold and wait until they get their act together” pile.
