Expert: Chris Wagoner - 10/22/2007

Question
I was wondering what kind of schooling i would need to become a cop, I have had someone tell me to take a four year degree instead of a two year and i was wondering if that would actually help or not. And what kind of classes i should take. Also i was wondering what i would need to do after i graduated.

Answer
Hi Garrett,
Well your friend that said get a four year was not giving you bad advice. Most departments are looking for degrees now. Some require it to be hired, some require it for promotion. So either way its a good thing to have. At a minimum I recommend a 2 year with a 4 year being better.

As for what classes to take, criminal justice courses are always beneficial, and any legal courses you can take. If you are interested in forensics then the biological sciences and chemistry are a good choice. If you are interested in management, then Human Resources and management courses are good. You see it depends on what area of law enforcement you want to eventually get into that will to some extent determine what courses would benefit you the most. Schooling never hurts.

As for other schooling, most states require a police academy of some kind. Different states have different requirements. Florida requires one. But you have to meet the minimum requirements first. Those are set by law (most states are like these):

To be eligible for the position of a law enforcement or detention officer, you must meet the following criteria (F.S.S. 943.13):

•   You must be at least 19 years of age
•   You must be a citizen of the United States
•   You must be a high school graduate or equivalent
•   You must not have been convicted of any felony, or misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement, nor have received a dishonorable or undesirable discharge from any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Notwithstanding this subsection, any person who has pled nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a false statement, prior to December 1, 1985 and has had such record sealed or expunged shall not be deemed ineligible for employment or appointment as an officer
•   You must agree to be fingerprinted by the employing agency or training academy
•   You must pass a physical examination by a licensed physician that will be administered upon a conditional offer of employment
•   You must be of good moral character
•   You must successfully complete a background investigation
•   You must complete basic recruit training
•   You must complete an Affidavit of Applicant form (CJSTC-68)
•   You must comply with continuing training or education requirements as deemed by the employing agency

In Addition, in accordance with federal law U.S.C. 922(g), it is unlawful for any person:
•   who has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
•   who is a fugitive from justice;
•   who is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance [as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 802)];
•   who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a mental institution;
•   who, being an alien, is illegally or unlawfully in the United States;
•   who has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;
•   who, having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his or her citizenship;
•   who is subject to a court order that
o   was issued after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had an opportunity to participate;  
o   restrains such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child;  
o   and includes a finding that such person represents a credible threat to the physical safety or such intimate partner or child; or by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against such intimate partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury; or
o   who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence;
•   to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affected commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. There is no exception.

Some states require you be hired by an agency to get in the academy, some states do not require it. In Florida you can do either way, you can be hired and they pay your way and a salary, or you can put yourself through the academy and then apply to get a job after completing the academy. Kind of like being a free agent. So agencies will not hire anyone to put through and only hire those that have put themselves through, it’s a cost saving issue.

The academy is about 6 months long, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. People seeking rapid employment as police or correctional officers must first successfully complete the State of Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Basic Recruit Program for the respective discipline. This is a highly competitive program and applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements before gaining admission into the academy. The basic recruit program 14 modules of curriculum, which include training in legal issues, human diversity, firearms, driving, issues of domestic violence and investigations. Upon completion of the Basic Recruit Program, students must then file an application with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to take the State Officer Certification Exam. This state exam is composed of material from the Basic Recruit Program. Applicants must pass with a proficiency of 80 percent or higher. For more information regarding the FDLE State officer certification exam go to www.fdle.state.fl.us.

I hope this answers most of your questions. If you have any more please feel free to post a follow up or new question.

Also if you would be so kind as to remember to rate my answer that would be appreciated.

Have a great week and STAY SAFE!