| Becoming a police officer has become increasingly | | | | in the name of the first department on your list. |
| difficult today. Not only do the majority of police | | | | As an example, "Denver Police Department." Once |
| department's require two years of college at a | | | | you are on their website look for buttons that |
| minimum, but numerous department's expect | | | | say, employment, careers, jobs, join our team, |
| police officer candidates to put themselves | | | | etc. Click on the button to be taken to the |
| through a certified academy at their own | | | | department's employment page. Here is where |
| expense. In addition to this, the competition for | | | | you will answer your first question, "Are they |
| each open police position can produce hundreds of | | | | hiring?" Police department's make it very clear if |
| applications. | | | | they are hiring. They will list their selection process |
| So, how do you put the odds in your favor? How | | | | dates and deadlines in a timely manner. Some |
| do you get your foot in the door? Simple ... just | | | | department's may state they are not currently |
| do a little homework. | | | | hiring at this time. But that's fine because you |
| Firstly, there are three questions you must | | | | need to know the hiring status of each particular |
| answer prior to applying to any police department. | | | | department. |
| Number one: Is the police department hiring? | | | | Once you know if a police department is hiring |
| Number two: What are their minimum | | | | you need to answer the second question, "What |
| qualifications? Number three: How do I apply? | | | | are their minimum qualifications?" This is easy, just |
| It is imperative to answer these three questions | | | | look for the position announcement. What you are |
| before moving forward in the police selection | | | | looking for here is what their college requirements |
| process. | | | | are, must you have already gone through a police |
| Now lets break this down. Many police and sheriff | | | | academy, age, sight requirements, prior traffic |
| department's hire new officers at given times | | | | violations, etc. Anything at all that would disqualify |
| throughout the year. Others hire only when | | | | you from the process. If you meet their criteria |
| vacancies exist. So how do you know if and | | | | then you are ready to apply for a position. |
| when a police department is hiring? Just go to the | | | | Lastly, you must answer the question, "How do I |
| Internet. Begin by typing in This is a wonderful | | | | apply?" Most police department's will have an |
| tool when applying for a police position. When you | | | | application right on their website that you can |
| arrive on the home page of this site you will see | | | | download and print. Some will have you apply |
| an interactive map of the United States. Click on | | | | directly online. It is critical that you complete the |
| the state you live in. You will now be taken to a | | | | application neatly and correctly. Spelling counts, so |
| map of your state, broken down into counties. | | | | does grammar. Continue this process until you |
| Your goal is to compile a list of about 20 police | | | | have applied to as many department's on your list |
| department's in your area. First click on the | | | | as possible. |
| county you live in. You will be shown a list of | | | | Did you know that one third of police candidates |
| police agencies. Write the name of each police | | | | will be disqualified at the application stage, and |
| department as it appears, nothing more. All you | | | | 70% of all candidates will fail the written exam? |
| want are names right now. Next, click on each | | | | These are staggering numbers. Police |
| surrounding county and write down the name of | | | | department's are geared to eliminate police |
| each police agency listed. Continue clicking on all | | | | applicants as early in the selection process as |
| the surrounding counties in your area writing each | | | | possible. Why? Because the selection process is |
| department's name. You should easily have 20 by | | | | very time consuming and expensive. If you follow |
| following this exercise. The only exception is if | | | | the steps I've outlined here you will soon become |
| you live in a rural area, in this case you may have | | | | involved in several hiring processes simultaneously. |
| a few less. | | | | The more department's you apply to the sooner |
| Now that you have your list go back to the | | | | you will be hired. This is not the time to be picky. |
| Internet. I would estimate that 99.9% of all police | | | | Remember the competition is fierce. |
| agencies have a website. Pull up Google and type | | | | |