Police Officer Requirements - Alabama

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Minimum Requirements to be a Police Officer in Alabama

Alabama police officer minimum qualifications

Published: August 18, 2024

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To become a police officer in Alabama, you must meet several minimum requirements set by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC).

Here are the key qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Age Requirement

You must be at least 19 years old, though some departments may require candidates to be at least 21.

Education

A high school diploma or GED is mandatory. Some departments may prefer or require higher educational qualifications such as an associate's or bachelor's degree.

BAT

The ACT WorkKeys Assessment has been adopted as the Basic Ability Test (BAT) for all applicants for law enforcement officer positions in Alabama. This assessment is essential for certification and is required unless the applicant is already certified by APOSTC or has an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. The test consists of three parts: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents, assessing the candidate's basic functional abilities expected of a police officer.

Applicants who do not pass a section of the BAT are permitted to retake that section, although there may be an additional fee per segment. The ACT WorkKeys Assessment can also be taken by out-of-state applicants, provided the results are accepted by the employing agency and APOSTC. A fee is typically required, payable to the community college where the test is administered.

Citizenship

You must be a United States citizen.

Driver’s License

You must possess a valid Alabama driver's license.

Criminal Record

You cannot have any felony convictions and must have a clean criminal record.

Physical Fitness

Candidates must pass physical fitness tests that could include activities like running, climbing, and other physical tasks.

Medical and Psychological Fitness

You must pass medical and psychological examinations to demonstrate fitness for duty.

Training

Once hired, you must successfully complete training at an approved police academy within Alabama.

Do Your Research

While state-level qualifications set the baseline for becoming a police officer, individual police agencies often implement stricter hiring standards to align with their specific needs and values.

These enhanced criteria can include regulations on tattoos, facial hair, background checks, and more.

Additionally, agencies might conduct more rigorous background checks than the state requires, diving deeper into an applicant’s history, including financial records, social media activity, and past behavior, to ensure candidates meet the department's ethical and professional standards.

Be sure to conduct more research into the requirements, qualifications, and disqualifications for specific agencies so that you are well prepared before entering their hiring process

Disclaimer

The requirements and qualifications for becoming a police officer may be subject to change due to updates in state legislation and public safety laws.

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information; however, we recommend verifying with the relevant state or local law enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with the current standards and requirements.

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Sources

Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission
Go Law Enforcement - Alabama Police Officer Requirements
How to Become a Police Officer in Alabama | How to Become
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Employment