Expert: Chris Wagoner - 7/13/2008

Question
Hi. I am a 16 year old who would like to become a police officer. I am in the Police Explorer program in my hometown in Kentucky. I was wondering how old you have to be to become police officer in surrounding states. (Tennessee, Ohio, and West Virginia) And also, I know the age is 21 in my hometown and I was wondering if that is the age for the entire state of Kentucky. Thanks for taking my question.

Answer
Hey Ben,

In the Explorers huh? Thats how I started, 33 years ago!! Good for you.

Well in KY: The POPS law requires that applicants be U.S. citizens, be at least 21 years old, have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent, possess a valid driver's license, submit fingerprints for a criminal background check, not convicted of a felony offense, not prohibited by federal or state law from possessing a firearm, have read the Code of Ethics, and have not received a dishonorable discharge or general discharge under other than honorable conditions.

Applicants also must not have not had certification as a peace officer permanently revoked in another state, have a medical examination, have a background investigation, be interviewed by their potential employing agency's executive or designee, take a written suitability screener, pass a drug screen test and take a polygraph examination.

TN is:
Applicants for police recruit must meet the following requirements for employment and certification by the State of Tennessee:

Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age
Be a citizen of the United States of America
Be a high school graduate or possess equivalency
Not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendre to any felony or to any violation of any federal or state laws relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances, and not have been released or discharged under other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States
Have his/her fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician (given during employment process after conditional offer of employment has been tendered by the City at the City's expense and under the requirements set out in General Order 05-06)
Have good moral character
Be free of all apparent mental disorders as determined by a City administered psychological examination post conditional offer of employment at the City's expense
Must satisfactorily complete within one year of initial employment as a police officer, a Basic Police Academy
The applicant must score a minimum of 70% on the City administered written examination
Must be able to physically perform all the duties of a police officer
Additional points are credited for participation in a City administered agility test
Uncorrected vision in each eye of 20/50 or better, correctable to 20/20
Weight in proportion to height with no more than 10% overweight
Total abstinence from smoking both on and off duty preferred
For applicant's presently employed at other agencies nationwide, some credit may be given after probation for previous experience.

In OH its 21,

In WV :
• West Virginia State law requires an applicant to be at least 21 years of age prior to enlistment. Applicants who are 20 years of age at the onset of testing are permitted to test provided that he/she will be 21 years of age by the target date of enlistment.

Hope that answers your questions...

Good luck!!