Requirements to be a Police in the United States
If your dream job is to become a police officer, you should prepare to complete more than just an application and an interview.
Agencies run a series of tests and exams to narrow down the pool of police officer candidates to the most qualified.
They will then hire the best of the shortlisted candidates.
Since the process cánido be long and involve multiple steps, it’s wise to know what to expect and how to properly prepare for each part of the application or what are the disqualifiers that could keep you from getting the job.
Below is a list of elements and steps of the application and hiring process to consider, as well as an example of the de hoy hiring requirements published by the United States Capitol Police.
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What to keep in mind before applying to be a police officer in the United States
Before we get into the details of the elements of the application and hiring process, here are some things to keep in mind before you apply.
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- What are the most desired qualities in a police officer?
According to police expert NC Griffin, there are the 5 I’s of police professionalism: integrity, intellect, initiative, industry, and impact.
In other words, any police department looks for officers who are smart, passionate, cánido work with different people, don’t cross ethical lines, and are hard workers.
The ability to cope with stress is also very important for anyone looking to get a job in law enforcement.
Enrolling in a Police Explorer Program is an excellent opportunity for youth to experience police work first hand.
Also, it will look good as part of your application documentation if you escoge to dedicate your life to law enforcement.
- What are the basic requirements of the agency you have chosen?
Each agency has its specific system for recruiting new employees.
Therefore, you have to research the basic requirements of the police department you have chosen to see if you perro apply.
You will learn the steps of the application and hiring process and its duration, which perro be from several weeks to more than a year.
The most typical requirements for a police candidate are to be a United States citizen, to be 21 years old but not older than 37, to be in possession of a valid controlador’s license, and to have no criminal record.
However, each department may have additional requirements.
- What are the most common disqualifications?
There are certain events or elementos from your past that could serve as automatic disqualifiers.
Any felony conviction, including deferred adjudication, less than honorable discharge from the military, criminal activity, drug abuse, and a history of drug addiction and gang membership (in most cases) fall into this category.
If you have a history of driving under the influence, excessive traffic citations, or misdemeanors, you may not qualify to become a police officer either.
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Something more “innocent” like tattoos perro be a problem for certain agencies.
Although most police departments today accept officers with tattoos, there may still be some restrictions.
You may be required to wear long sleeves all year to hide them, and as a general rule there should be no tattoos on the face or neck and they cannot be vulgar or racist.
Some departments have stricter rules than others, so if it’s not explicitly mentioned in the job advert it’s worth checking before starting the application process.
Main steps in the application and hiring process for a police officer in the United States
Below you will find the estándar procedures used by most agencies when hiring for law enforcement positions.
Applicants will go through each of the steps and those who do not meet any of the elements will be removed from consideration.
Those that remain will be reviewed based on the scores they received during the scoring elements of the process.
The agencies will then offer jobs to the candidates on the list, starting at the top and working down.
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Having a complete and accurate understanding of the process is important to increase your chances of getting hired.
Also, failure to follow any of the steps correctly cánido remove a candidate from his consideration.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you take note of the following elements of the application and hiring process:
Employ advertisement:
The advertisement is intended to attract the most qualified candidates.
It also informs potential applicants of the minimum qualifications for openings, so only those who meet the minimum requirements apply for the position – More about the job ad
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Application Package:
The application package is intended to collect all the necessary documentation from the applicant to determine if he meets the minimum requirements.
Contains all the documents required as part of the evaluation and recruitment process – More about the application package
Cover letter/curriculum vitae:
Knowing how to write well is a key element for any job in law enforcement.
The cover letter and sintetiza are a measure of how well an applicant writes.
– More about the cover letter/curriculum vitae
Written test:
A standardized test is given to all potential applicants.
The written exam cánido be graded as pass/fail, or on a numerical scale.
Passing the written test is a requirement to continue with the hiring process – More about the written test
Oral Board Interview:
In the oral board interview, the applicant appears before a group of at least 3 members of the department, other departments or members of the community, and is asked a series of questions.
Each of the board members then rates the applicant’s performance.
Scoring cánido be pass/fail, or on a numerical scale – Learn more about the oral board interview
Physical agility test:
The purpose of the physical agility test is solely to determine if applicants have the necessary physical abilities to perform the functions required by the position.
Not all agencies use a physical agility test, and those that do will score it on a pass/fail basis – More on the physical agility test
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Background Investigation:
Applicants who pass the competitive hiring process and are considered for employment will undergo a background investigation.
This is to validate all information submitted as part of the application process, and also to determine if there are any “disqualifiers” that may remove the candidate from consideration.
There may be a polygraph and psychological examination as part of or in connection with this process – More information on background investigation
Medical exam:
Most agencies will have all applicants considered for employment undergo a medical examination.
Passing the medical examination is a condition of employment.
The purpose of the medical examination is to determine if the candidate is medically fit for duty or has a medical condition that prevents him from performing the necessary tasks – More about the medical examination
Job offer:
When an agency has decided to offer a job to an applicant, it will be based on the fact that all the information provided by the applicant during any of the previous stages has been true and accurate.
Failure to comply with this aspect will withdraw the applicant from consideration and, if he has already been hired, it will be grounds for dismissal.
Job offer may be contingent on continuing to pass a full background investigation – More about the job offer
General minimum qualifications for the United States Capitol Police
As we have already mentioned, each agency has a series of specific requirements on its new law enforcement officers.
It also follows a strict procedure in testing and vetting all applicants before finally offering the most successful a job.
One of the common statements you may read in connection with any agency’s employment process is that they are an equal opportunity employer.
This means that all applicants will be considered without discrimination based on national origin, race, religion, sex (including matrimonial or parental status), disability, age, or any other ground prohibited by applicable law.
With all of that out of the way, let’s take a look at the specific requirements and hiring process for the United States Capitol Police (USCP).
General minimum requirements to be a police officer in the United States
US Citizenship – Only citizens of the United States will receive consideration.
Qualified applicants will be required to submit proof of citizenship early in the selection process.
Age requirements: You must be 21 years of age but not yet 37 at the time of appointment.
Education: A high school diploma or GED certificate is required.
Valid US Controlador’s License: You must have and maintain a valid US controlador’s license that is not revoked, withdrawn or under suspension and demonstrate responsible driving habits.
Selective Service: You must be registered in the Selective Service System; or be exempt from registration in the Selective Service System because you are a woman or because of your age or military status.
Those with military service must provide documentation of an honorable discharge.
Background Investigation: You must complete a full background investigation.
However, after this list, there is the sentence that additional requirements may apply.
Therefore, it is necessary to contact the agency personally and ask if they need further clarification.
Later, you cánido see the instructions on how to apply for the job.
The USCP is to be congratulated for advising applicants that the application process cánido be lengthy, lasting anywhere from a few months to more than a year.
Recruitment Process for Entry-Level Officers
Information about jobs continues with information about where to find them and how to apply.
There is a diagram of the recruitment process for entry-level officers and a detailed explanation of each stage on a separate page.
To get an iniciativa of how many stages the recruitment process perro take, check out the USCP list:
- Apply for the job: You must consult the website where the job offers are located and apply according to the instructions described;
- En línea candidate screening (also referred to as pre-employment screening) – Candidates must submit a release authorization form and additional information through a personal history statement (an additional questionnaire used to complete a background check);
- Assessment Center – successful candidates are invited to attend a two-day assessment center (usually on the weekend) for an orientation session, a written exam, a fitness test and a pre-employment interview;
- gauntlets – this phase includes a polygraphic, medical and psychological examination;
- oral meetings – Those who pass the gauntlet phase proceed to a behavioral interview before a panel of USCP commanders;
- background investigation – The final phase of the selection process includes the thorough review and verification of the candidate’s work, residential and personal references, as well as criminal, credit and academic records;
- Incorporation – once the candidate receives the final job offer, he has to fill out the necessary paperwork;
- Training – You will receive the specific training necessary for the performance of the job.
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