Expert Tips for Becoming a Police Officer in 2025
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By Brian Humenuk MS|CJA COPJOT
Released on January 20, 2023
Updated on June 9, 2024
⏱️ 4-minute read
There are few professions left in this world that can provide you with excitement, a sense of accomplishment, great income and benefits, and early retirement.
Law enforcement is a career path that many are interested in but few pursue because of the hiring process, the police academy, and the difficult challenges and danger of the job itself.
and...
Let's face it, society needs police officers, sheriff deputies, and state troopers more now then any time in our existence.
Retirements throughout the law enforcement ranks are inevitable which means there is opportunity across the country especially in the larger agencies.
As communities continue to grow, as well as our population, there will always be a need for law enforcers.
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Lets dive into the best tips for becoming a police officer.
What to Know Before Becoming a Police Officer
Becoming a police officer does not come without hard work. You should read that statement twice. The process itself is time-consuming and can take years to finally be working as a fully sworn law enforcement officer.
Being a police officer is a commitment to yourself, your family, and your community that essentially you will be selfless and serve others. Yes, people that most of the time you have never met before.
As many benefits that the job comes with there are just as many issues and problems that it can cause. For instance, the divorce rate amongst law enforcers is higher.
How to Prepare to Become a Police Officer
Preparing to become a police officer starts years in advance. By heading over to PoliceHiringPrep.com you can read about what preparation truly looks like.
The website has a lot of free content to read and it is also where you will find the Become a Police Officer Master Class.
Let us look at a few things that you can do to start preparing.
You will want to get a head start on the following:
- Attain a good solid credit history.
- Attain and keep a good work history.
- Stay out of trouble and don't commit any traffic violations.
- Build relationships with people that can be future personal references.
- Do some volunteering to resume build.
- Try and get an internship within the criminal justice system.
- Work out and stay physically fit.
Setting yourself up for a date in the future is the key here. If you want to someday become a police officer, deputy sheriff or state trooper you have to understand that who you are will eventually be investigated to determine your suitability for the job.
PRO TIP: Finding a good mentor or a great blog article on how to become a police officer is a must. An article like this one or a friend that can give you some help in preparing is invaluable.
Passing the Civil Service Exam
Citizenship Requirement
Police departments often require applicants to be U.S. citizens, or in some cases, permanent resident aliens who have applied for citizenship. Some agencies require officers to reside within their jurisdictions while others do not.
Driver's License Requirement
A valid state driver's license is a requirement for any sworn law enforcement position. Your driving history will be checked during your background investigation.
Education Requirement
Most agencies expect officers to have a high school diploma or GED at a minimum.
Some agencies require a bachelor’s degree or a minimum number of college credit hours like 45 or 60.
RELATED: >> How to Become a Police Officer without a College Degree >>
Other agencies require you to have military service, education, or a combination of the two. The job posting will have this information on it.
Ability to obtain a license or permit to carry firearms
Most agencies will require you to be of standard fitness to carry a firearm and use it.
If you cannot pass the qualifications to possess and carry a firearm your chances of being a police officer are slim unless the agency you choose to apply to does not require the use of firearms.
Physical Fitness Requirement
This requirement will vary from state to state and possibly agency to agency.
When do I start?
The answer to this question might shock you and if you are a teen or in your twenties kudos for doing the research now because you are ahead of the game.
You should start the process of becoming a police officer as soon as you can by living a clean life, making good decisions, and practicing having character and integrity in every area of your personal life.
This means that if you go to high school and play sports you want to have a great attendance record, study hard, use clean language, and be a leader.
If you are in college you want to practice the same behavior along with picking up a part-time or full-time job that you can start building a work history with.
College parties and running with a bad crowd is not where you want to be. That will catch up with you during a background investigation.
So, if you are thinking hard about becoming a police officer the road to the badge starts now by being a leader and a role model.
What are some qualifications to be a Police Officer?
Physically Fit
There is physical training in the police academy such as jogging, running, lifting weights, boxing, etc. Being physically fit should start as soon as possible for you because when you attend your oral board interview and medical exam these two stages will matter whether the agency will want to invest in you.
Military experience
Did you or have you been serving your country? Valuable training, education, and experience can be learned in the military. A military-status veteran can get points on both entrance and promotional exams.
Selective Service System Registration
Almost all men ages 18-25 who are U.S. citizens or are immigrants living in the U.S. are required to register with Selective Service. Citizens must register within 30 days of turning 18. Immigrants must register within 30 days of arriving in the U.S. You can verify your selective service registration or create a new registration here.
College Education or Experience
Having a college degree in criminal justice or even still working towards your college degree is very positive in the hiring process. College degree work, however, should show that you are studying hard and receiving solid grades.
It is not uncommon to have a background investigation turn up at your college or university even though you will have to submit transcripts with your application. More on that later.
Volunteering
If you can show a history of volunteerism on your resume or talk about it during your oral board interview it will be very positive.
Solid Work History
Hiring agencies like to see work history that includes positions held in the criminal justice field, however, right behind that is any employment with a record of showing up on time, not calling out sick, volunteering for overtime, and no violations of company policy.
Use the job you have now to build a solid work history or get a job and start building that foundation that you can show when you do start the application process.
How can I Increase my Chances of Becoming a Police Officer?
The are many things that you can do to increase your chances of becoming a police officer. Reading this article is one and if you go back to the beginning I have listed over 10 key tasks that you can start doing.
While you are waiting to take a civil service/agency recruitment test you can score points by doing the following:
- Join the armed forces and specialize in law enforcement or other assignments where you can complete training in a law enforcement field.
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Take and complete a first aid and CPR class so that you are trained and have the certificate to prove it.
- Work for a state agency where a pension is offered. Once you successfully pass the hiring process for a police department and are hired the pension that you had accrued with the state agency may transfer over.
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If your state requires citizens to possess a firearms license or permit you can complete this and it will show that you have passed a background check and possessed the minimum requirements to possess and carry a firearm according to your state law.
Final Tips for Becoming a Police Officer
Credit history
At the beginning of this article, we touched on credit history and credit score. You will want to ensure you have a history of paying your debts and are free from bankruptcy.
Ex-Partners
If your background investigator were to visit your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend or divorced spouse what would they say about you?
Home Visit
If your background investigator were to come to your house unannounced what would they see in your yard and your house? Do you keep things tidy or are you a mess?
Social Media
Do a check on social media and delete any posts or comments that would be concerning to a background investigator. In fact, I recommend not being on social media altogether because you don't want your character being judged on what your social media pages say about you.
Check your social media to ensure you are a positive person free of any racial or biased posts. Removing yourself from social media altogether is what many people looking to be police officers and even police officers in general do so that they are not tagged in things that can be looked at as being inappropriate.
Mentor
Find a Police Officer who works for a law enforcement agency that would want to be your mentor and they can answer any questions that you may have about the job and the process to become a police officer.
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About the Author
Brian Humenuk isn't just an entrepreneur in eCommerce, he is also an informed leader whose experience provides followers and visitors with a look into current and past police issues making headlines in the United States.
Brian has earned three degrees in Criminal Justice with the last, a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.
Brian extends his training, education, and experience to the officers just now getting into the field so that they may become more informed police officers and stay clear of police misconduct and corruption.
You can find out more about Brian and the COPJOT story on the ABOUT US page.
Affiliate Disclosure
COPJOT is supported by its audience. If you make a purchase through links on this site I may earn a small affiliate commission. Enough to buy myself a small coffee and I want to thank you in advance.
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