What Are The Job Requirements of A Police Officer

Before you submit your application and spending a dime, it makes good sense to know the job requirements for police officer. Find out more about these qualifications in the article below to help you get a head start in your quest.

What are the minimum and maximum age requirements?

In most states the minimum age requirement is 21 years of age, maximum is around 34 to 37 though there are departments that don't have a maximum age requirement.

What are the academic requirements?


While a number of departments will just require a high school diploma, there are more and more agencies that want applicants to have at least 2 year associates degree and a minimum GPA score. Applicants with a military background can have 1 year of that requirement waived. Higher education must come from an accredited institution.

Is work experience needed?

Yes, you'll need at least a couple of years of real word experience in the following areas:

• Community work which involves working with the disabled, elderly, youth or recovering drug addicts and alcoholics.
• Work that involves solving problems and issues.

A positive work history is a big plus as well as working with people with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds because this demonstrates your excellent communication skills that will be needed when you join the police.

What are the competencies needed?

• A perspective police officers needs to learn new things and quickly apply them in their work.
  
• Should be able to communicate effectively both written and verbal.
• Work efficiently and effectively in a team or as an individual.
• Be able to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages and gender.
• Should accept responsibilities of their actions whether good or bad.
• Be able to creatively solve problems
• Must be able to serve efficiently with courtesy, responsiveness and competence.
• Should be literate in using computers to produce reports and other important information.
• Must be able to exercise good judgement in high stress situations.
• Can adapt to any situation despite changes in the work environment.
• Must be able to defend themselves and be knowledgeable in the use of fire ams and firearm safety.

What are the physical requirements?

• Should have a visual acuity of at least 20/30 in each eye without any noticeable red-green deficiency in color vision and without any dimming of red objects.
• No significant loss of peripheral vision.
• Must not have a hearing deficiency of greater than 46 decibels.

What are the character traits needed?

Police officers need to have integrity, honesty, good judgement and a good communicator which will eventually be discovered during the background investigation.

What are the possible dis-qualifiers?

• Felony convictions are automatic dis-qualifiers.
• Misdemeanor conviction within the last 36 months.
• Any type of domestic violation or conviction or if any restraining order has been slapped against you.
• If you've been found to have may false statements or omissions in the application form.

This and other law enforcement qualifications can be accessed through our web site.