Advice for Becoming a Police Officer

We asked several leaders in the law enforcement community if they could share their best advice for getting hired as a police officer. Here are their responses:

Steve Casey, Executive Director of the Florida Sheriffs Association: Focus intently on your studies and complete your education. While in school, give consideration to applying for internships with law enforcement support organizations to improve your resume. Once you complete your studies enroll in the local law enforcement academy and obtain your certification as quickly as possible. After graduating from the academy, apply to more than one law enforcement agency and keep in mind that there are different types of law enforcement agencies with very different missions and roles. So research the agencies to find one that will provide you with the types of opportunities you are interested in. During the background investigation stage, be very honest about your background with the investigator and not withhold information. Often times applicants who would otherwise be eligible for hiring disqualify themselves by withholding information. Finally, look for opportunities to continue your education going forward. Remember education is a journey, not a destination.

Carlton Stallings, Vice President of the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police:

1. Character. The first and toughest huddle to overcome is a background investigation. Live your life where you have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of.
2. Education. A degree in a related field such as criminal justice.
3. Good physical condition.

Chief of Police Barbara Childress, Chair of the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation: It goes without saying that you should try to have a clean background, or as much as possible. Some agencies will hire those with a limited drug background; if there is that in your background, put some distance between it and the application. Minor thefts are looked at on a case by case basis. Do your research – on the department as well as the profession. It is helpful if the applicant has an understanding of why they really want to join law enforcement and not give vague responses like “I want to make a difference, or I want to help, etc.” Know specifically what it is about law enforcement that interests you. If a candidate has had a traumatic experience or a member of their family, it is ok to bring that up. Sometimes it means that the person will be more understanding and compassionate. As for the department, focus on no more than two or three agencies that are of interest. Applying all over is a turn-off. Once you’ve settled on your preferences, research the agency and be able to explain why you want to work there. Specific examples are always best. It could be that you like their philosophy, style of policing, or the department offers future promotional opportunities or assignments that are of interest. Most agencies will appreciate that you took the time to research and understand their agency and be able to explain how you believe you could fit in. Also, don’t forget to check on the agencies complaint history. You don’t want to work for a department that has a high number of sustained complaints.

When showing up for tests or interviews, remember that you are going to a job interview! Dress appropriately. If it is for a test, at least dress in business casual clothing. If it’s an interview, I recommend a suit and tie for men and dress slacks and appropriate top for females. Females should NEVER wear anything that is too tight, too revealing or too trendy. Conservative attire is the best for either sex.

If given the opportunity to ask questions during an interview, ask. This is an excellent time to show that you have done your homework. I would not ask about salary, benefits, etc. unless it is a final interview and the subject has not been explained. If you’ve done your homework, you should already know the answer to these questions. If the opportunity presents itself and you have had a good experience with the department during the hiring process, complement them, and be specific. An example might be that you were kept informed throughout the process; contacts were timely so that you could plan appropriately; people were courteous and explained everything satisfactorily, or answered all your questions. If you didn’t have a good experience, this isn’t the time to complain. If it was a really bad experience, you might want to reconsider working there.

Chief Scott Silverii, Thibodaux Police Department: The advice I give to everyone interested in becoming a police officer is to educate yourself. There are many areas associated with arming yourself with information. Your high school completion or graduation equivalency diploma is the base requirement for most agencies, though many increasingly require college courses or degrees.

Prior to applying for any law enforcement service, become educated about each type of agency and the duties incumbent within that jurisdiction. Is it a county sheriff’s office that only maintains the jail, is it a municipal police department responsible for only criminal enforcement, is it a state highway patrol that addresses crash reporting and roadway regulatory ordinances, or is it a probation and parole organization that monitors criminals once released from incarceration?

Gather accurate information about the realities of becoming a police officer. Watching multiple episodes of Law and Order SVU or Lethal Weapon does not qualify as legitimate research. Speak with current or retired police officers, volunteer your time with agencies in programs such as Police Reserves, VIPS (volunteers in police service), Jr. Police, Young Marines or any of the many other community outreach and education initiatives.

Become knowledgeable about the hiring requirements. Most agencies incorporate a written exam, psychological evaluation, background check, and physical fitness tests into the employment process. Use available study guides to prepare for the written portion. Most agencies rank candidates by their exam score, and this places emphasis on your eligibility for the subsequent phases of hire.

Learn about and become involved with the community and civic groups. Build your resume through volunteering time by investing in the community you wish to serve. This demonstrates to police agency decision makers that you have a pattern of commitment and service.

Know the demographics of the community you wish to serve as a police officer. Learn about the cultural diversity, customs, ethnicities that live, work and play with your future jurisdiction. Do you have or can you acquire specialized skills to benefit the police agency to better serve a distinct element within that community?

Finally, and the most difficult element of educating oneself; question, explore, discover and determine if you truly have the desire to become a public servant. If you do, then go for it and I wish you the best of success.

Steve Turner, President of the San Bernardino Police Officers Association: Anyone interested in becoming a police officer should first realize that they are interested in a career field that has a very competitive pool of applicants. Knowing this, the future officer must take some steps that pushes him/her above the other applicants. Employers often take notice of the applicants that possess some or all of the following:

• College Education (BA degree preferred; AA is better than nothing)
• Work Experience
• Clean Background
• Volunteer Experience

Let’s look a little closer at each of these.

College Education. Most states do not allow one to become a police officer until at least 20 1/2 years old. After graduating from high school, it is highly recommended to continue your education. You can at least obtain your two-year college degree before becoming old enough to apply for a police officer job. You can major in almost any field, not just criminal justice. Business Administration, Computer Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Business Management are all great majors to have in hand. If you enter the hiring process with at least your two-year degree and working towards your four-year degree, you will certainly jump ahead of a large group of applicants.

Work Experience. This can be accomplished by getting hired as a cadet/police cadet. Typically, the minimum age is 18 years old for these jobs. Working as a cadet gets one foot in the door of the police field. This will give you two years to prove yourself to your future employer. Many young people who work as cadets go on to become police officers. Another source of work experience is the military. Entering the military at 18 years of age, after serving four years, you will certainly have a leg up on the competition at the young age of 22 years. The military training is very similar to law enforcement training. Future employers know that most young people who make it through a four-year enlistment have what it takes to become police officers.

Clean Background. Municipalities want to hire the best of the best. A background that includes drug and/or alcohol use/abuse will almost always push you to the bottom. Additionally, maintaining a good credit score is helpful in presenting a clean background.

Volunteer Experience. This is often overlooked but can be a huge plus for applicants. If you have volunteered in your community it shows future employers that you care about the community, you want to make a difference, and for you, it’s not all about earning an income. Volunteer experience can be achieved in many different ways. Boys Clubs, local churches, hospitals, Boy Scouts, Little League, and many other organizations. Many police departments have Police Reserve programs that are very beneficial to getting hired as a police officer. The reserve programs are mostly volunteer programs (some agencies pay reserves) that provide an opportunity to see if police work is really for you, without walking away from your current career. The drawback is, reserve programs can be tough to get into, due to the strict requirements that are identical to that of a fully sworn officer.

These are all great areas to focus on when trying to become a police officer. If you can accomplish two or three of the above suggestions, you will put yourself in a position that will make it very difficult for employers to ignore you. It’s not easy to get hired as a police officer, but it’s not meant to be. Good Luck.

Jonathan Parker, Founder/President of Covered Law Enforcement: Perhaps the best advice I can give to someone aspiring to be a law enforcement professional is to first develop a realistic view of the profession and examine one’s motivation for service. Media portrayals of law enforcement officers, the criminal justice system, and the day-to-day responsibilities of serving in this profession are very skewed and misleading. Media often presents the profession as one that is glamorous, action-packed, and replete with officers that are flashy, larger-than-life, all-knowing, and even invincible.

The result of these portrayals is a flawed public perception of what it is that we do and are capable of doing. The communities we serve may become disappointed with the realities that budget limitations exist, not every case is solved – especially within a few hours, officers are faced with the effects of constant stress, and not every call involves high action or crime scene investigation. New recruits are also affected by these perceptions, in many cases leaving them disappointed and frustrated.

I truly believe that serving is law enforcement is a calling, a noble profession filled with servant-warriors who defend our democracy and serve the interest of the people. But, one’s motivation must truly be to serve out of a deep sense of pride, professionalism, and integrity for the intangible rewards it provides rather than the false motivations presented in the media.

What specifically can be done? Interview officers, participate in ride-along programs, volunteer, become acquainted with the needs of the community, develop an authentic understanding of the profession, and live a life of leadership by setting a positive example. A candidate who has followed this advice will surely have an advantage in the interview and hiring process for becoming a police officer.

Ray Hunt, President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union: My best advice is as follows:

1. Follow all instructions on the application! Many times this is the first test to see if you have attention to detail.
2. Make sure your credit is clear, you have no outstanding traffic warrants, you have valid auto insurance, and your DL is valid.
3. If you are not on a social media site, keep it that way.
4. Have all references lined up when applying and make sure they know you are applying.
5. Dress professionally for your interview and be honest with your recruiter.

David C. Couper, Chief of Police (Ret) Madison, Wisconsin:

1. Receive a broad, liberal arts education leading to a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
2. Start (if you haven’t already) obeying the law and being an honest, moral, and trustworthy person.
3. Work on your personal maturity. An education develops your knowledge and intelligence; now work on and develop your emotional and relational competencies and the ability to work with all kinds of people.
4. Learn how to serve others. Be active in community volunteer work. Develop a curriculum of service as well as job experience.
5. Be committed to lifelong personal and professional improvement. Be able to know who you are and where you are going.
6. An added benefit would be to achieve competency in one of the traditional Asian martial arts – karate, taekwondo, judo, etc. so that you are familiar with physical interaction.
7. Remember, police work is a calling, not just a job. It is a calling which is committed to assuring that our Constitution protects everyone and our way of life is worth preserving. For more advice, you can also read my book “Arrested Development,” which says it all, available at https://www.amazon.com/Arrested-Development-Veteran-Corruption-Necessary/dp/1470102560.

Al Nienhuis, Hernando County Florida Sheriff, and Command Staff:
Here are some bullet points that could guide the potential law enforcement professional:

• Avoid situations that can result in an unplanned and unexpected law enforcement contact (avoid visits to popular establishments known to have physical disturbances or drugs, avoid relationships with individuals of questionable character, avoid domestic interactions that are volatile, etc.).
• If considering a tattoo, piercing, or other body modification, realize that, depending on location and content, it could be disqualifying or may negatively impact ranking when compared to other applicants.
• Be extremely cognizant of online and social media activity, realizing it can be misconstrued as offensive, and always assuming it will be retrievable for eternity.
• Be extremely conservative with finances and credit.
• Seek Explorer, ride-along, and/or other volunteer opportunities to learn more about the career and to become better known at a prospective employer.
• Focus on establishing a positive, stable work history prior to applying to a law enforcement agency.
• Be as thorough and honest as possible on the application.
• Be patient, humble, and flexible during the application and hiring process-maintain a positive and appreciative attitude.

Lieutenant Andy Jashinske, Bellevue Police Department
“As early in life as possible, focus on your character and education. Police officers must possess impeccable integrity and honesty. They must also have excellent reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills. Finally, do not forget physical fitness. Police officers must have the physical abilities to fight off someone to protect themselves, but also the academic abilities to articulate their actions in a police report and on the witness stand.

Consider continuing your education by obtaining a degree. Most police departments will not hire an officer under 21 years of age. You have a few years after high school to pursue a degree until you are old enough to apply. During that time, gain work experience. While you may not be working your dream job, this is the time to prove that you can stick with and be successful in the workforce. Give your 100 percent for those jobs as well.

Stay away from drugs, even marijuana that is legal in some states. Our state guidelines currently do not allow someone into the academy within two years of using marijuana, even legally. Do not abuse alcohol. Pay your bills to make sure you have strong credit. Keep in mind that anything you volunteer to the social media world will be reviewed, not only in your background investigation but also by a defense attorney someday.

Attend a local citizens police academy. Ride along with police agencies in which you are interested in employment. Make sure you understand that the job is not all the action that you would find on reality television shows. While having contact with police officers through those activities, as them questions about the testing, the interview process, and of their opinions of the department.

Test at the agency or agencies in which you are interested in working. Understand that this is a time-consuming process. Be completely open and honest throughout the entire process. Understand that police agencies are not looking for perfect people, but people who own, learn from, and are honest about their mistakes or poor choices.

Once you are hired, keep a positive attitude and accept critical criticism. Never take this career for granted. We are honored and blessed to be entrusted by the public to uphold the law, as well as protect and serve the community.”