How to Become a Police Officer

Depending on their training and assigned jurisdiction, police officers enforce city, county, state or federal law [source: Police Careers]. A police officer's many areas of responsibility include making arrests, collecting and maintaining evidence, responding to emergencies and patrolling highways. If you want to become a police officer, you must meet the following preliminary requirements:

You must be at least 20 years old.
You must have a clean record, with no previous felony convictions.
You must pass a background check.
You must be a United States' citizen.
You must have a valid driver's license.

Here's how to become a police officer:

Earn an associate's or bachelor's degree. If possible, study criminal justice, a foreign language and public relations.
Take the necessary civil exams and physical fitness tests. This should be done after earning your degree.
Apply for a job at a law enforcement agency. Keep in mind that many agencies expect their employees to take continuing education courses and attend seminars throughout their career.
Attend a police academy [source: New York]. The academy you attend will depend on the police force you are joining. Most police academies offer a three or four month course of study.

[source: Police Officer Requirements]

While earning your bachelor's degree, take the time to prepare yourself for the job ahead [source: Police Officer Requirements]:

Get into good physical shape. Police officers must have very good physical endurance.
Gain experience dealing with the public. You can do this by volunteering within the community while studying for a degree.
Get some practical experience before applying to a law enforcement agency. For example, you can work as a security guard, a public service officer or a military cadet.
Familiarize yourself with the police officer's job by speaking with a police officer. You might want to arrange to ride along on calls and visit police stations to familiarize yourself with a police officer's daily routine.