Criminal Justice

Grimm

James Grimm

Professor   J. George

Introduction to Criminal Justice

13 September 2010

                                  Becoming a Police Officer

      A police officer is any man or woman who take an oath to protect and serve the

streets and community of a city or state. There are requirements, qualifications, purposes,

and also typical duties of becoming a police officer. There are many educational

requirements for this certain position. First graduate high school. All police departments

require at least a diploma. Some academy’s hire graduates right out of high school, but

have to be at least 21 years of age. Next step of becoming a police officer is complete

college level training. While some police departments require an Associate’s or

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. In some cases state and federal agencies generally

require a college education to advance to a higher rank. Next step, is to attend the police

academy, when attending the police academy it usually last about three to four months,

during that time you will be learning more about civil rights, state and local laws, crime

investigation and constitutional laws. Also there will be more hands-on experience. The

police academy prepares officers for active duty. Next step is to pass all applicable

examinations. In order to gain a position for the police force you have to take various

examinations like: physical test of strength, vision, hearing, and most important drug test.


In another instance they also conduct psychiatric and background interviews to determine

your personal characteristics.

    My second career option is to become a FBI Agent. A FBI agent is a special law -

enforcement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There are not many requirements for

this position, just extraneous work. In order to become an FBI agent you have to be a U.S.

citizen between the age 23 and... [continues]

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