Women as a police officer!

My experience, they want you to be at least 21 by the time the academy starts

Most law enforcement agencies, including the jails, want you to be at least 21 before they hire you. It has something to do with brain development.

It's a rewarding career to get into. I'm a corrections officer and I love it.

Most law enforcement agencies, including the jails, want you to be at least 21 before they hire you. It has something to do with brain development.

It's a rewarding career to get into. I'm a corrections officer and I love it.

Cant carry/buy a pistol till your 21. In the US. Fed law says you can carry at 18 but cant buy till 21. Most states say 21. So you cant be a cop till your 21.

Depends on your state. In mine, the Sheriff's Office can hire you to work at 18, but any local/city agencies, you have to be 21. If that's something you're looking to get into, start by volunteering to work in your county jail as an auxiliary Corrections Officer. That'll get your foot in the door, and you can go to the academy when you're old enough. Also, be very careful about the decisions you make in your private life. I've seen a lot of very good people getting passed up for Police Officer jobs, because they did something stupid 5 or even 10 years ago.

If you move to Canada you have to be 18...that being said, I'm taking criminology right now and without some sort of degree it's becoming more and more unlikely that you'll get in to be a cop.

I know where I am, you practically have to be related to someone on the force in order to get a job. That said, a decent career path (especially to the state police) would be to join the military, and get into the MP there. That's a good leg up when they're making hiring decisions.

Im currently working at mcdonalds, and im thinking of becoming a police officer, i have been thinking about it for the past 18 months...

but the thing is im only 19, is that considered too young?

In my department, you have to be 20 when you go through the academy and at least 21 to start working. I started when I was 25 which is after college and grad school were both finished.

Check your state's policies, they vary from place to place.

My department is the same! Police work is getting pretty competitive. Most departments, around here anyway, have hundreds of applicants to choose from. Most of those applicant have degrees and or prior military training. I would suggest you grab some college and work on physical fitness ( not saying you are not fit but a good police academy is brutal) then you will be more than desirable for any department . Good Luck- Police work ROCKS !

Agree with this. I work as a civilian in a law enforcement agency, and part of my job includes researching applicants and doing back ground checks.

My advice:
1. Go to college - most agencies are requiring a degree. It doesn't have to be in Criminal Justice, but it should be from a reputable university. One of those online colleges you see advertised on MTV probably isn't going to cut it.
2. Get an internship. This helps you network and get job experience.
3. Work in a jail - as a jail officer, you'll get a good idea of what kind of people you can expect to work with. And it will help you learn how to handle stressful situations. You'll also get to know officers and other LE staff.
4. Volunteer in your community. You'll need good references, and a great way to get them is by volunteering. I don't want to hear from your BFF that you're an awesome friend - I want to hear from the head of the local food pantry that you always show up on time and conduct yourself in a professional manner.
5. You will have to be 21. However, very few officers are getting hired at that age. Most are closer to 25. Be prepared to spend several years working towards your goal.
6. Get in shape. Google your state law enforcement academy and find out what the academy entrance and exit standards are. Make sure you can meet them. Be strong and quick. Work on that now, so you don't have to rush to do it later.
7. Most of the time, you can't attend the academy unless you are hired or sponsored by an agency. This keeps the nutjobs out. Just an FYI.

Good luck!!

i don't think a college education is a requirement to be a cop around here, although it might to be a state trooper.

However, they get so many applications they just through out the ones without a college education. Becasue i guess they are automatically considered better qualified and its a means of cutting down on all the applications.

PS> A LOT of people go to school online these days. as long as the school is acreddited, there is no problem (unless your talking about law school, you can only sit for the bar in california if you go to law school online). as far as i know... there is no indication on your deploma or anything that you attended school online.

If its what you really want to do, GO FOR IT

I'm a fire fighter in Australia and I have to say all people I know in the emergency sorvices think their job is the best becasue ....

All this sort of stuff is extreamly rewarding, the pay not so much, though