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.
Master Deputy Addy Perez is a five-year veteran of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina
COMPLETE COVERAGE
“I needed to get used to being tired, but still able to problem solve and think critically,” said Officer Ian Whittington
The 34-year-old father of two found he had the right experience and maturity for a new career as a police officer
Our columnists debate whether age is an effective measure of a candidate’s maturity
Real-life guidance and insight into successfully navigating the foreseen and unforeseen challenges of working in the criminal justice field
Your duty weapon and backup weapons should be as familiar in your hands as your favorite coffee cup
New data ranks the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia by “police-friendliness”
They say hindsight is 20/20
“We may have a false choice to make here: college or no college.”
New detectives can find success and experience the rewards of the job by relying on patience, mastering new skills
In this episode of Policing Matters, former officers and current CJ professors discuss how degrees make better officers and expand career opportunities
