How Do You Become A State Police Officer?
Making the career decision to become an officer of the law can give you a highly rewarding job. If you meet the physical, psychological and personal qualifications of the work, the overall opportunities of the field are excellent. Many openings are available in the field from workers who retire, those who leave police work to go back to working in the private sector, or from those who go on to work for other law enforcement agencies. Median annual earnings vary by area and responsibilities, but continuing training allows for faster advancement. The benefits packages offered by police departments are generally also high quality as well. • Decide if you fit the bill. Because police officers are held to a higher standard, to become a police officer you have to have a certain set of personal characteristics. Officers have to be honest, exercise sound judgment, be responsible and hold themselves to a high level of integrity. They must put the lives of those they protect first, and they must
• Decide if you fit the bill. Because police officers are held to a higher standard, to become a police officer you have to have a certain set of personal characteristics. Officers have to be honest, exercise sound judgment, be responsible and hold themselves to a high level of integrity. They must put the lives of those they protect first, and they must be capable of making fast life-or-death judgment calls to ensure the safety of as many people as possible. • Know the job description • Being a police officer can be both dangerous and stressful. • Police officers pursue and apprehend criminals. • They issue citations, write reports and maintain records. • Police officers patrol jurisdictions and investigate suspicious activities. • Officers direct traffic, administer first aid and assist in emergencies. • Familiarize yourself with the academic criteria. • To become a police officer you have to have at least a high school education. • An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree is preferred, t
