Expert: Jason Grabill - 5/4/2004

Question
Your question was
I have to do a report on something I'm interested in and I chose becoming a poilce officer I need to do an interview and I was wondering if you could help by answering these questions...

*how do you get into a police acadmy?
*what are the different levels of the job...
            *their pay
            *job description
*how should I get started
*cost of the acadmy
*what kind of testing is involved
*is it important to go to college first?

thank you for your intrest in helping me if there are any other tips you would like to add please feel free.


Answer
Chris:

 Here are the answers to your questions, in the order you asked them:


how do you get into a police acadmy?

Generally, you have to be hired by a police agency, who then puts you through the academy.  The selection process involves interviews, lie detector test, medical screening, drug screening, a fitness test, and a final interview.


*what are the different levels of the job...
         *their pay
         *job description


Police departments are para military, which means they are sort of based on the military rank structure.  You start out as a recruit officer, then advance (usually after the academy) to patrolman, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, Chief.  Job descriptions and pay are different in each agency, but it's all basic police work;  the higher the rank, the more people you supervise tho.

*how should I get started

Check with your local department and see if they are hiring;  you can also search the internet, many agencies post job vacancies there, as well as in the local paper.


*cost of the acadmy

Free.  Your department pays you to attend.

*what kind of testing is involved

See above for the answer to that one.  At the academy, you'll take many, many, tests, including tests on Constitutional law, use of force, firearms qualifications, etc.  

*is it important to go to college first?

No.  Most departments only require a high school diploma.


Good luck!

Jason Grabill