How Fast Can I Become a Police Officer?

To become a police officer, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements and attend a police academy. This can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on your circumstances.

If you stay focused and plan ahead, you may be able to start a career as a police officer in a short time. Keep reading to learn how fast you can become a police officer.

Tips for Quickly Becoming a Police Officer

Becoming a police officer usually doesn't take that long, especially if you're prepared for the police academy. Below, we've offered some tips to help you quickly become a police officer.

1. Meet Basic Requirements

Before you start your training program, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements to become a police officer. These can vary between law enforcement agencies but usually include:

• have at least a high school diploma or GED
• be a U.S. citizen, although some agencies require you to live within your jurisdiction as well
• be at least 18 years of age, although 21 is the minimum for many agencies
• have a valid driver's license
• meet the agency's physical fitness requirements
• pass a background check

Background Check

To become a police officer, you must submit to a background investigation. Most departments will not accept officers with a criminal record, but specific disqualifiers vary.

Some things that may disqualify you from becoming a police officer if they show up in your background check include:

• felony convictions
• misdemeanor convictions involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or perjury
• illegal drug use
• poor driving record
• conviction for a DUI/DWI
• poor credit history
• dishonorable discharge from the military

2. Obtain Relevant Education

All police departments and law enforcement agencies require law enforcement officers to have, at minimum, a high school diploma or GED. However, some, especially federal law enforcement agencies, require an associate degree or a bachelor's degree.

Many colleges and universities offer criminal justice programs that are excellent for those going into law enforcement. Other good majors include sociology, psychology, and social work.

3. Take Online Criminal Justice Courses

Whether you choose to earn a college degree or not, free online criminal justice courses can help strengthen your criminal justice knowledge and teach you about specific topics in the field. As a bonus, some courses offer college credit. Below, we've listed a few excellent online criminal justice courses.

Coursera's Understanding and Managing the Stresses of Police Work

The University of Toronto offers the Understanding and Managing the Stresses of Police Work through the online learning platform Coursera. This entry-level course focuses on the psychological challenges of police work.

This course is self-paced and takes about two hours to complete. Once you've completed the course, you'll receive a career certificate, which you can share on your resume or CV.

Udemy's Police Legitimacy, Procedural Justice, & Community Relations

Udemy is another online learning platform, and it offers a course titled Police Legitimacy, Procedural Justice, & Community Relations. It explains how to address the source of crime while building trust with your community.

The course includes an hour of lectures, downloadable resources, and a final exam. Students who pass the exam receive a certificate of completion.

Udemy's De-Escalation for Law Enforcement

Another course that Udemy offers is the De-Escalation for Law Enforcement course. Students learn what de-escalation is and how to use it without jeopardizing the safety of officers.

The program includes three hours of lectures broken into six sections. At the end, those who finish the program receive a certificate of completion.

4. Start a Rigorous Fitness Regimen

Most police forces require their police officers to be physically fit, and as a result, most law enforcement training programs include physical agility tests. If you don't already have a fitness regimen, you'll need to start one.

Specific fitness requirements vary between departments and agencies. You can generally expect to have to perform a certain number of push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups and to participate in a 300-meter dash and mile run.

5. Apply and Graduate From an Accredited Police Academy

Once you meet the minimum qualifications (i.e., education requirements, a background check, and physical fitness requirements), you can start police academy training. Training varies by state, but all states have a Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) or something similar to ensure programs meet a minimum standard.

Your police academy training can range from a few weeks to several months, and will likely cover topics like:

• criminal justice and constitutional law
• patrol procedures
• investigations
• basic first aid
• defensive tactics
• firearms
• ethics

Next, you'll complete field training. During this time, you'll shadow a field training officer (FTO) and accompany them on their parole to get hands-on experience in the field.

6. Apply to Multiple Police Departments

If you attend a police academy offered through a specific police department, that department may have a program that allows you to land a job with that department. Otherwise, you'll need to apply to multiple police departments.

Prepare for the Selection Process

The hiring process for police officers is usually very thorough. You'll first go through the initial application process, which includes a prescreening questionnaire that indicates your eligibility.

Next, you'll need to pass a standardized written exam. After that, you may be subject to a range of exams and tests, including the following:

• physical fitness exam
• background investigation
• drug testing
• psychological exam
• polygraph test
• medical exam
• oral interview

7. Consider a Law Enforcement Internship

Some police departments have cadet programs, which are essentially internships for those who are too young to apply for the police academy. During your internship, you'll perform clerical tasks and attend law enforcement and criminal justice courses.

You may still have to pass the same exams and interviews for the cadet program as you would for the typical hiring process. Once you reach the eligible age, you can pursue a role with the force.

8. Network With Law Enforcement Professionals

Networking is a great way to forge relationships with other law enforcement officers. These connections can help you land jobs and get promoted.

There are many ways you can network with law enforcement professionals. Aside from networking while in the academy or a cadet program, try connecting with others at conferences and seminars.

FAQs About Quickly Becoming a Police Officer

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about quickly becoming a police officer.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Police Officer?

The time it takes to become a police officer depends on how prepared you are for the requirements of your local police academy. If you already fulfill the physical fitness and educational requirements, you could become a police officer in less than six months.

Is It Hard To Get Hired as a Police Officer?

It can be hard to get hired as a police officer, as there are a variety of exams and interviews you need to pass first. However, the education requirements for police officers are usually minimal, and the academy usually only takes a few months.

Do You Need a Degree To Be a Police Officer?

In many police departments, you do not need a degree to be a police officer. However, some departments and agencies, including federal law enforcement agencies, require a college degree.