Expert: William Payne - 7/4/2008

Question
Ok this is for my husband who is currently in Iraq. He is talking about going into the police force when he gets out, this will be a few years. The question is does he need to go to college before he applies to the acedemy? Or will his time in the army qualify him, He is 11B infantryman? The reason i'm asking is if he needs college then he will start taking courses while he is still enlisted. Thankyou in advance.

Answer
Tiffany,

Thanks for the question.

Most police agencies only require a High School Diploma or G.E.D. However, there are some that require some college education and others require a degree before applying. It's really a mixed bag, and for whom he wants to work.

Most states are different in how their academies are run. Some states require you to be employed with a police agency first, and then they send you to the academy. Other states you can attend an academy on your own, and once you pass through the academy, you can start applying to the different agencies.

The military is a good option for getting his education as well as discipline and leadership skills. Being in the military does not necessarily qualify him to be a police officer.

It takes a special person to make it in the military and the same goes for law enforcement. Not all people are cut out for it, and being in one does not necessarily mean you will be a good fit for the other.

I recommend that once he is back in the states that he try out a police officer reserve program that a lot of states have. He can gain a lot of police experience and training and see if it is something he really wants to do before he commits to it.

Good luck and best wishes!