How to Get Into Law Enforcement
The job of a police officer is different from others. Just ask any cop, and they will tell you that being a law enforcement officer is a way of life and they wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. This work is exciting, fun and rewarding. In fact, there are numerous reasons to be a police officer.
Why become a cop? Joining the law enforcement industry is a great choice for anyone that is seeking respect in the community and the opportunity to serve the people and make a difference.
Do you Want to Make a Positive Impact in your Community?
There are very few fields that are as rewarding as law enforcement. Law enforcement officers often spend their time protecting and serving the community and not stuck behind a desk in a cubicle all day. Police officers are motivated to work for something greater, and they wake up every day knowing that their talent and time are being spent well.
How Formal Education can help you Become a Law Enforcement Officer
The law enforcement industry has become increasingly complex. In other fields where decisions have repercussions such as medicine or law, the practitioners should have advanced college degrees as well as years of in-service training.
Although formal education isn’t compulsory to become a police officer, police departments are searching for qualified individuals who have already earned a degree and are ready to tackle the high levels of management. Here’s how you can get there:
Consider Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree may be compulsory if you want to qualify for more advanced positions, especially those at the federal level, for instance, FBI or US Fish and Game. Even if it isn’t a requirement, police departments are changing in favor of applicants with college degrees.
Pass the Law Enforcement Entrance Exam
Before you are admitted to the police academy, you have to achieve the minimum required passing score on the entrance exam. The entrance exam will depend on your jurisdiction and police academy. Examples of some of the tests given in police academies include Compass, Asset and Law Enforcement Examination (LEE).
Graduating From the Police Academy
The most important training that you will get during your law enforcement role is in the police academy. This training will equip you with the necessary skills to serve as a law enforcement officer. Training often lasts six months, and you have a curriculum that covers topics such as criminals’ statutes, search and seizure, firearms training, traffic laws, physical conditioning and driver training.
How Formal Education can Benefit you
Studies have proven that formal education has the following benefits on the overall performance of a law enforcement officer:
- Better skilled with independent problem-solving and decision-making
- Better performance and behavioral characteristics
- Improved adaptability
- Greater ability for innovative thinking
- Improved report writing skills
- Intellectual and personal growth
- Less likely to use force as the first form of response
How Formal Education can Help you Move Up the Ranks
If you want to advance in law enforcement, it helps to learn more about the job, exhibiting the traits of a competent leader and scoring well on a written promotional exam. A promotion means a pay increase as well as the level of responsibility.
Are you interested in becoming a law enforcement officer? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting path, connect with a friendly ECPI University admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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