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| How To Become A Police Officer |
| by George M. Godoy |
Becoming a police officer has become increasingly difficult today. Not only do the majority of police
department's require two years of college, (at a minimum), but numerous department's expect police officer
candidates to have put themselves through a certified police academy at their own expense. In addition to this,
the competition for each open police position can produce hundreds of applications.
So, how do you get your foot in the door? Simple ... Just Do Your Homework.
Firstly, there are three questions you must answer prior to applying to any police department:
Number One: Is the police department hiring?
Number Two: What are their minimum qualifications?
Number Three: How do I apply?
It is imperative to answer these three questions before moving forward in any police selection process.
Now, lets break this down. Many Police and Sheriff department's hire new officers at given times throughout the
year. Others hire only when vacancies exist.
So how do you know if, and when, a police department is hiring?
Just go to the Internet.
Begin by typing in www.USACOPS.com. This is a great site and tool when applying for a law enforcement
position. When you arrive on the home page of this site you will see an interactive map of the United States.
Just click on the state in which you live. You will now be taken to a map of your state -- broken down into
counties.
Your goal is to compile a list of about 10-20 police department's in your area. First click on the county where
you live. You will be shown a list of police agencies. Write down the names of each police department as it
appears, nothing more. All you want are names right now.
Next, click on each surrounding county where you live, and write down the name of each police agency listed.
Continue clicking on all the surrounding counties in your area writing down each department's name. You
should easily have 10-20 by following this exercise. The only exception is if you live in a rural area, in this case
you may have a few less.
Once you have your list, go back to the Internet. I estimate that 99.9% of all police agencies have a web site.
Now, go to Google and type in the name of the first department on your list. As an example: "Denver Police
Department."
Once you are on their web site look for links that say, "Employment, Careers, Jobs, Join our Team,
Recruitment", etc. Click on that link and you'll be taken to the department's employment page.
Here is where you will answer your first question: "Are they hiring?"
Police department's make it very clear if they are hiring. They will list their selection process... dates and
deadlines in a timely manner. Some department's may state they are not currently hiring at this time... but that's
OK, because you need to know the hiring status of each particular department.
Once you know if a police department is hiring you need to answer the second question: "What are their
minimum qualifications?"
This is easy, just look for the position announcement. What you will be looking for here is, what are their college
requirements, do they require you have already completed a police academy, age, sight requirements, prior
traffic violations, etc.
You MUST meet these requirements, otherwise don't bother to apply because you will be wasting your valuable
time. If you don't meet a department's minimum qualifications you will be immediately disqualified, so make it a
point to examine Minimum Qualifications thoroughly before applying.
Lastly, you must answer the third question: "How do I apply?"
Most police department's will have an application right on their web site that you can download and print. Some
will have you apply directly online. It is critical that you complete the application neatly and correctly. Spelling
counts, so does grammar, and above all -- BE HONEST!
Continue this process until you have applied to as many department's on your list as possible.
*** Did you know that one third of all police candidates will be disqualified at the application stage, and 70% of
all candidates will fail the written test? These are staggering numbers. Police departments are geared to
eliminate police applicants as early in the selection process as possible.
Why? Because the selection process is a very time consuming process, and very expensive. The sooner a
police agency can disqualify a candidate, the better.
If you follow the steps I've outlined here you will soon become involved in several hiring processes
simultaneously. The more department's you apply to -- the sooner you will be hired.
It's that simple.
This is not the time to be picky.
Remember the competition is fierce.
Go with the first department that will hire you. Be committed to that department 110%. Give that organization a
few good years of your BEST. Gain all the experience you can (don't worry it will be handed to you on a silver
platter), and if you want to lateral to another department later, know that you will be an officer with prior
experience, and YOU will be considered an asset to that organization. An advantage worth its weight in gold!
department's require two years of college, (at a minimum), but numerous department's expect police officer
candidates to have put themselves through a certified police academy at their own expense. In addition to this,
the competition for each open police position can produce hundreds of applications.
So, how do you get your foot in the door? Simple ... Just Do Your Homework.
Firstly, there are three questions you must answer prior to applying to any police department:
Number One: Is the police department hiring?
Number Two: What are their minimum qualifications?
Number Three: How do I apply?
It is imperative to answer these three questions before moving forward in any police selection process.
Now, lets break this down. Many Police and Sheriff department's hire new officers at given times throughout the
year. Others hire only when vacancies exist.
So how do you know if, and when, a police department is hiring?
Just go to the Internet.
Begin by typing in www.USACOPS.com. This is a great site and tool when applying for a law enforcement
position. When you arrive on the home page of this site you will see an interactive map of the United States.
Just click on the state in which you live. You will now be taken to a map of your state -- broken down into
counties.
Your goal is to compile a list of about 10-20 police department's in your area. First click on the county where
you live. You will be shown a list of police agencies. Write down the names of each police department as it
appears, nothing more. All you want are names right now.
Next, click on each surrounding county where you live, and write down the name of each police agency listed.
Continue clicking on all the surrounding counties in your area writing down each department's name. You
should easily have 10-20 by following this exercise. The only exception is if you live in a rural area, in this case
you may have a few less.
Once you have your list, go back to the Internet. I estimate that 99.9% of all police agencies have a web site.
Now, go to Google and type in the name of the first department on your list. As an example: "Denver Police
Department."
Once you are on their web site look for links that say, "Employment, Careers, Jobs, Join our Team,
Recruitment", etc. Click on that link and you'll be taken to the department's employment page.
Here is where you will answer your first question: "Are they hiring?"
Police department's make it very clear if they are hiring. They will list their selection process... dates and
deadlines in a timely manner. Some department's may state they are not currently hiring at this time... but that's
OK, because you need to know the hiring status of each particular department.
Once you know if a police department is hiring you need to answer the second question: "What are their
minimum qualifications?"
This is easy, just look for the position announcement. What you will be looking for here is, what are their college
requirements, do they require you have already completed a police academy, age, sight requirements, prior
traffic violations, etc.
You MUST meet these requirements, otherwise don't bother to apply because you will be wasting your valuable
time. If you don't meet a department's minimum qualifications you will be immediately disqualified, so make it a
point to examine Minimum Qualifications thoroughly before applying.
Lastly, you must answer the third question: "How do I apply?"
Most police department's will have an application right on their web site that you can download and print. Some
will have you apply directly online. It is critical that you complete the application neatly and correctly. Spelling
counts, so does grammar, and above all -- BE HONEST!
Continue this process until you have applied to as many department's on your list as possible.
*** Did you know that one third of all police candidates will be disqualified at the application stage, and 70% of
all candidates will fail the written test? These are staggering numbers. Police departments are geared to
eliminate police applicants as early in the selection process as possible.
Why? Because the selection process is a very time consuming process, and very expensive. The sooner a
police agency can disqualify a candidate, the better.
If you follow the steps I've outlined here you will soon become involved in several hiring processes
simultaneously. The more department's you apply to -- the sooner you will be hired.
It's that simple.
This is not the time to be picky.
Remember the competition is fierce.
Go with the first department that will hire you. Be committed to that department 110%. Give that organization a
few good years of your BEST. Gain all the experience you can (don't worry it will be handed to you on a silver
platter), and if you want to lateral to another department later, know that you will be an officer with prior
experience, and YOU will be considered an asset to that organization. An advantage worth its weight in gold!
| Online Video Learning Systems: Police Exam - U.S. Border Patrol Exam |
| Police Exam 911™ A step-by-step system YOU can use to secure a top score on ANY Police Exam |
| U.S. Border Patrol Exam |
A step-by-step
system designed
specifically
for the
U.S. Border Patrol Exam
| George Godoy - Police Recruitment Specialist |
Sergeant George Godoy (Ret.) is a 22 year police
veteran. During his police career, Sergeant Godoy served
for 5 years as a police recruitment specialist where he
veteran. During his police career, Sergeant Godoy served
for 5 years as a police recruitment specialist where he
personally tested over 1,000 potential police recruits.
Sergeant Godoy has produced unique video presentations where he takes you step
by step through the Police Examination Process and the U.S. Border
Patrol Exam. Follow these links to check out his ONLINE VIDEO Police Exam
and U.S. Border Patrol Exam learning systems.
Sergeant Godoy has produced unique video presentations where he takes you step
by step through the Police Examination Process and the U.S. Border
Patrol Exam. Follow these links to check out his ONLINE VIDEO Police Exam
and U.S. Border Patrol Exam learning systems.
| Police Exam Preparation |
| How To Become A Police Officer |
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