How do I know if I qualify to be a Law Enforcement Officer?

2015-08-26T15:05:38-04:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-08-26T15:09:34-04:00

Do you have any kind of police record in the military or on the civilian side? If not, then as long as you pass their requirements, then yes you can.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Aug 26 at 2015 5:31 PM

2015-08-26T17:31:51-04:00

Basic requirements are ZERO criminal history, Us citizen, typically a college degree (varies by dept) pass health, psych, interviews. But there are a lot of variances local state federal

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 6:09 PM

2015-08-26T18:09:47-04:00

Check the California POST (Peace Officer Standards Testing) to see if they accept military police training as equivalent to police academy. They do here in Missouri, only requiring you take the POST exam.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 26 at 2015 7:55 PM

2015-08-26T19:55:51-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Good question. Usually the departments you are interested in have websites that you browse the basic requirements. As SSG Bryan McNally related, they are looking for clean cut. I would add to his list and put financially responsible-lives within means, and has good credit. Think Military Security Clearance, and you are on right track.
If there is crap in your background, be prepared to answer for it intelligently and know that some things will be automatic D.Q. Most agencies will do a back ground on you.
In an interview, be prepared to talk about ways that your Military Service has prepped you for the career you seek.
And, know that PDs, SOs, Staties and Feds are full of veterans. It is likely that your interviewer will be a vet, or someone on the panel will be.
And, know that after a few years of Military Service, you HAVE qualities that departments want, you just have to rise to the top of the crop to get selected to advance the process.
*if you are not already done with college, get into it. That is definitely the way things are going.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 26 at 2015 7:57 PM

2015-08-26T19:57:14-04:00

You have to check the requirements, state by state, agency by agency, as they are all different.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 8:24 PM

2015-08-26T20:24:30-04:00

Also, many police departments are requiring a minimum of an Associates Degree.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Aug 28 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-08-28T17:11:27-04:00

Visit your local law enforcement website recruite/job page, or ask any local officer that you interested in.

Response by SPC Nathan Purling made Dec 2 at 2016 1:06 AM

2016-12-02T01:06:38-05:00

Each state and each department have their own qualifications. Identify places you want to work and contact them.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 10 at 2021 9:15 PM

2021-06-10T21:15:36-04:00

You should be fine, the bar is pretty low.