2 answers
Shamario
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
6
Questions
Asked
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why would I need to do 4 years and not two years to become a police officer?
Hello , I'm going to be a senior next year and would like to know why would i need to attend 4 years of college instead of 2 ? I heard you don't even need college to become one.
#policeofficer #college
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2 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1662
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
You do not need four years. However, police departments often offer degree pay, and you will get paid more if you have a 4-year degree vs. two, IF they offer that benefit. But, it might not be enough to make up for how much you pay for the extra 2 years of school. So, if it was me. . . I'd get the 2-year degree. Get the law enforcement job. Use the paid tuition assistance program offered by most departments to continue your education, and get the 4 year degree while already employed as an officer!
Do everything possible to make yourself a good candidate - stay in shape, stay out of trouble, don't associate with problem people, as the background checks include talking to neighbors, friends, teachers, ex-boyfriends, etc. Be good to everybody. Maybe take some self defense training, get into a citizen police academy program, don't get any visible tattoos (policies vary by department, you just don't want any disqualifiers).
It's a good time to start looking at the websites of various agencies to review their criteria.
Being a female will give you a competitive edge. However, you will need to be able to prove yourself, just like all rookies, male and female. As to why you need college, it will help hone your critical thinking and writing skills. It's supposed to help make you more accepting of people who are different than you, a very big issue in our country right now. Plus, it's a good place to be while waiting to turn 21, the minimum age of many law enforcement jobs. Or, you could consider joining the military. Military experience is highly considered among law enforcement applicants, and may be enough, in some departments, without any college.
States set the minimum standards, and agencies can set stricter standards. So, look at the state website, and various agency websites, to review the requirements. But, understand this: the trend is towards requiring at least a 2-year degree. So, even if that's not required now, it might be two years from now.
Hope this helps!
Kim
Do everything possible to make yourself a good candidate - stay in shape, stay out of trouble, don't associate with problem people, as the background checks include talking to neighbors, friends, teachers, ex-boyfriends, etc. Be good to everybody. Maybe take some self defense training, get into a citizen police academy program, don't get any visible tattoos (policies vary by department, you just don't want any disqualifiers).
It's a good time to start looking at the websites of various agencies to review their criteria.
Being a female will give you a competitive edge. However, you will need to be able to prove yourself, just like all rookies, male and female. As to why you need college, it will help hone your critical thinking and writing skills. It's supposed to help make you more accepting of people who are different than you, a very big issue in our country right now. Plus, it's a good place to be while waiting to turn 21, the minimum age of many law enforcement jobs. Or, you could consider joining the military. Military experience is highly considered among law enforcement applicants, and may be enough, in some departments, without any college.
States set the minimum standards, and agencies can set stricter standards. So, look at the state website, and various agency websites, to review the requirements. But, understand this: the trend is towards requiring at least a 2-year degree. So, even if that's not required now, it might be two years from now.
Hope this helps!
Kim
Thank you so much!
Shamario
Kody Jones
Student Pharmacist
11
Answers
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Updated
Kody’s Answer
Hi,
I actually went through the process to become a state police officer. I went through the entire process, but I was not selected.
You do not need to go to college to become a cop. They give you extra points for being a college graduate, being in the military, being a minority, being a female, etc.
After the extra points, you take a written exam. If you pass that, you take a physical exam. If you pass that, you take an oral exam. If you pass that, you take the polygraph (lie detector) test. After all of this, they will either select you or reject you.
A lot of the guys told me they usually want participants to try for at least two years. So they will often reject people the first year, but then accept them if they come back the second year. I could not wait another year to try out again, so I can't say if that was true for me.
I actually went through the process to become a state police officer. I went through the entire process, but I was not selected.
You do not need to go to college to become a cop. They give you extra points for being a college graduate, being in the military, being a minority, being a female, etc.
After the extra points, you take a written exam. If you pass that, you take a physical exam. If you pass that, you take an oral exam. If you pass that, you take the polygraph (lie detector) test. After all of this, they will either select you or reject you.
A lot of the guys told me they usually want participants to try for at least two years. So they will often reject people the first year, but then accept them if they come back the second year. I could not wait another year to try out again, so I can't say if that was true for me.
Thank you so much
Shamario