Career Requirements

Arts & Entertainment

Animation
Architecture
Disc Jockey
Fashion Designer
Film
Graphic Design
Journalism
Music
News Caster
Photography
Photojournalism
Business

Accounting
Banking
Human Resources
International Business
Management
Marketing
Risk Management
Criminal Justice

Ballistic Expert
Border Patrol
Correctional Counseling
Counselor
Fire Service
Judge
Law
Law Enforcement
Loss Prevention
Paralegal
Police
Prison Guard
Social Work
SWAT
US Customs
Education

Library Science
Teaching



Police Career Requirements

The duties of a police or law enforcement officer are focused on the protection of people and property. A police officer is assigned a patrol area, which can be an entire jurisdiction or part of a jurisdiction, and in that patrol area they issue citations, make arrests, respond to calls, enforce the law, and they sometimes are called to testify in court. Police officers frequently make traffic stops and respond to domestic disturbances. Sometimes during the course of these calls, they are required to provide first aid for injuries until the paramedics arrive. For a police officer, time is distributed between writing reports, filling out forms, and doing actual patrols. Many police officers also do immigration work that was once exclusive to Immigration and Naturalization Service officers.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications to be a police officer will vary from department to department. Some general qualifications are typically that the person be a high school graduate, be at least 21 years old, and have no felony convictions. Misdemeanor convictions are normally handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the jurisdiction and some departments require that candidates have proven to be financially responsible as well. There are also physical and fitness requirements and candidates will need to pass a vision, hearing, and medical exam. Testing is also part of the hiring process. Candidates will have to undergo a drug test, background check, written exam, and psychological evaluation prior to beginning a career.

Education

Every department will have their own individual education requirements. Many police departments throughout the country require that candidates have a bachelor degree in criminal justice or law enforcement. Even if a degree is not a requirement, hiring is a competitive process in many police departments. Having a degree will give you a career advantage over other candidates who do not have the same educational background.

Get Your Degree!

Find schools and get information on the program that’s right for you.

Powered by Campus Explorer


Health Care

Dental
Health and Exercise Science
Home Health Registered Nurse
Medical Pathologist
Neonatal Nursing
Nurse Practitioner
Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Podiatrist
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychology
Psychotherapy
Radiologist
Therapist
Veterinary
Science

Astronaut
Biological Psychology
Entomology
Marine Biologist
Zoologist
Technical

Computer Science
Electrical Engineer
Engineering
Technical Professional
Video Game Programmer
Web Design


Job Search:
what
job title, keywords
where
city, state, zip
jobs by job search

Benjamin Watson Jersey Cam Newton Jersey Alshon Jeffery Jersey Alfred Morris Jersey Aqib Talib Jersey Ameer Abdullah Jersey Aaron Rodgers Jersey Alfred Blue Jersey