The requirements and process for becoming a public safety officer differ greatly from one jurisdiction to the next. To become a public safety officer, you may be required to pass a law enforcement exam and complete a police academy. In some cases, you may be required to earn a two- or four-year college diploma in a relevant field of study, such as criminal science, criminal law, or criminal justice. In general, the more education and training you have, the more opportunities for advancement you will have.
You must first complete high school before becoming a public safety officer, also known as a police officer or deputy sheriff. In most cases, you must also be an 18-year-old or older legal adult in your jurisdiction or country. You may be able to earn a diploma through an adult education program if you have not completed high school. Any electives in law enforcement, civics, or even psychology, if possible, would be beneficial.
To become a public safety officer, you will almost always need to attend a state-approved or sanctioned law enforcement academy. Basic weapons training, arrest techniques, and a brief overview of the law are all taught at the academy. The length of the academy varies by state, but the basic portion that certifies police officers usually takes less than six months. From the state’s perspective, you will be able to work as a law enforcement officer almost anywhere in that state after graduation. If you move to a different state, you may not be required to complete the entire academy again, but you may be required to take a classroom portion to familiarize yourself with the laws of that state.
If you decide you want to do more than just be a patrol officer, you can take additional courses and earn a law enforcement-related degree. This degree does not replace basic law enforcement training, but it may help you cut down on the time you spend in the academy. Once you become a public safety officer, this may provide you with more opportunities for advancement, but job performance will also be a factor.
You can get a variety of resources to help you in your search to become a public safety officer once you have graduated from a degree program or the academy. A variety of websites are dedicated to police careers and job searches. Furthermore, some states and municipalities may maintain an ongoing application process to ensure that they always have a pool of names from which to choose. Qualified candidates will almost certainly be kept on a waiting list even if positions aren’t available right away. Remember to research the jurisdictions’ physical agility requirements so that you can pass a basic fitness test.