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Becoming a public safety officer varies by jurisdiction, but generally requires a high school diploma, completion of a law enforcement academy, and possibly a degree in criminal justice. Additional education can lead to more opportunities for advancement. Physical fitness is also important.
The process and requirements for becoming a public safety officer vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another. Sometimes, you may have the opportunity to take a law enforcement exam and pass the police academy to become a public safety officer. In other cases, you may need to complete at least a two- or four-year college degree in an appropriate field of study, such as criminal science, criminal law or criminal justice. In general, the more training and education you have, the greater your opportunity to advance.
In order to become a public safety officer, also known as a police officer, or deputy sheriff, you must first graduate from high school. In most cases, you must also be a legal adult in your jurisdiction or country, usually 18 years of age or older. If you did not graduate from high school, you may have the option of earning a degree through an adult education program. If possible, any class electives you can take in the areas of law enforcement, civics, or even psychology would be helpful.
In almost all cases, you will also need to attend a state-sanctioned or approved law enforcement academy in order to be a public safety officer. The academy teaches basic gun training, arrest techniques and a brief overview of the law. The duration of the academy varies according to the state, but generally the basic part that certifies the police officers takes less than six months. Upon graduation, you will be able to work virtually anywhere in this state as a law enforcement officer from the state’s perspective. If you move to a different state, you likely won’t have to go through the entire academy again, but you may be asked to take part in the classroom to familiarize yourself with that state’s laws.
If you decide to do more than simply be a patrol officer, you can take other courses and earn a degree related to law enforcement. This degree does not replace basic law enforcement training, but it may reduce the time you must spend in the academy. This may offer more opportunities for advancement once you become a public safety officer, but job performance will also play a key role.
Once you graduate from a degree program or the academy, you can obtain a number of different resources to help in your quest to become a public safety officer. Several different websites cater to police careers and job searches. Also, some states and counties may have an application process in place so they always have names to choose from. Even if positions are not immediately available, qualified candidates will likely be kept on a roll call. Remember to also research the physical agility requirements of the jurisdictions you are interested in so that you can pass a basic fitness test.
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