Expert: Dick Rogers - 2/15/2009

Question
hi my name is andrea bentley. i just turned 16 years old.and i am a freshmin in high school. .i have wanted to become a police officer for a long time. every since i was about 6 in a half years old. my dad was a security officer and told me some intersting stories about his job. every since then i have made my goal in life to become a police officer. i just had a few questions for you.

what exactly do you have to do to become a police officer?
what kind of degree in collage do you need to have?
is the physical traning hard?

please contact me back at my yahoo account

thank you for your time.
                        andrea bentley.

Answer
Andrea, the path to becoming a police officer is relatively simple. Keep yourself out of troublesome situations, i.e., drug culture, theft/crime, do well in school so that college is a good option (really needed when you apply).  As to the type of degree, it runs the gamut...criminal justice, administration of justice, psychology and even liberal studies.  Most of what you really need to know is taught at the academy.  I would emphasize keeping yourself physically fit so that the physical requirement of the academy will not be difficult for you.  I would also recommend that you apply to a larger department as the promotional opportunities are greater and the range of experience is also greater.  I wish you good fortune in your quest.