Do you want to protect and serve your community?

So, you want to become a police officer? Good news, you’ve come to the right place.

This Police1 special series breaks down everything prospective cops need to know – from finding the right agency and making it through the application process, to entering the police academy and ultimately starting your first day on the force.

We've also included information for officers looking to advance their careers into fields like investigations, SWAT and police leadership.

What to expect from police academy training

What to expect from police academy training

Considering a career in law enforcement? This is what you can expect to learn in the police academy

Police jobs A-Z: The ultimate guide to law enforcement job titles

Maintaining law and order is a big job; our A-Z guide breaks down the roles that get it done
Police salaries: A guide

Police officer salaries vary according to the location and the governmental agency for which officers work
Law enforcement jargon every police officer should know

Over the years, officers have cultivated their own language, using phrases that only those in law enforcement would understand; check out our list to see if you're current on your police jargon

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'We take trade-ins': Fort Worth PD's latest police recruitment video may be its best
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After scoring three viral hits with "Star Wars" productions, the agency is now taking an approach more akin to a used car dealership
A day in the life of a recruit training officer
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For Officer Macarena Garner, becoming an RTO is a dream fulfilled
SWAT spotlight: Bakersfield Police Department's SWAT school
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This two-week POST-certified SWAT school provides training for different agencies in the region
5 steps to landing a police technology job
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Having the foundation of a solid street officer with an excellent reputation, mixed in with specific training tailored for the role is key to success
'Destined' for police work: Ex-NFL player graduates from NYPD academy
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After three years in the NFL, Dominique Williams returned to his dream: a career in criminal justice
'I tried SWAT Academy' video goes viral
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YouTube creator Michelle Khare recently spent time with the San Diego Police Department's SWAT team
A day in the life of a police recruitment and academy director
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Meet Lieutenant Jackie Pearson, a 26-year officer and resilience instructor at Fort Collins Police Services in Colorado
Report ranks best and worst states to be a police officer
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The report also broke rankings down into more granular categories
A day in the life of a crisis intervention deputy
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Meet Deputy Gregory Plett, a seven-year veteran of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office in California
State your case: Should prospective cops be required to have college degrees?
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“We may have a false choice to make here: college or no college.”
Slideshow: 142 cadets graduate from the California Highway Patrol academy
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With family and friends looking on, each cadet was promoted to the rank of officer
A day in the life of a community action team officer
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Master Deputy Addy Perez is a five-year veteran of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina
The benefits of reserve officers in modern policing
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Utilizing the strengths and expertise of volunteers for ultimate agency transparency
'Never quit, never': An officer's journey from a childhood dream to reality
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Jim Calams always knew he wanted to protect and serve, but his path to policing wasn't easy; perseverance, grit and a never quit mindset led him to achieve his dream
How to become a Texas Ranger
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You don't have to be Chuck Norris to become a Texas Ranger, but you will need to be exceptional
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About how to become a police officer

So, you want to become a police officer? Good news, you’ve come to the right place.

This Police1 special series breaks down everything prospective cops need to know – from finding the right agency and making it through the application process, to entering the police academy and ultimately starting your first day on the force.

We've also included information for officers looking to advance their careers into fields like investigations, SWAT and police leadership.

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