Law enforcement officer jobs are plentiful today, and the outlook for these jobs is very good. In some areas of the country, obtaining a law enforcement officer job or police officer job is more competitive than others. However, by understanding and following the advice of this website, your chances of becoming a law enforcement officer will increase dramatically.

I have been a police officer for several years. I regularly speak to people about law enforcement careers, and how to go about getting one. I have filled many roles in my career. Currently I am an investigator for my department, and one of my duties is to conduct background investigations of police officer candidates. I know what factors affect whether or not you get the job.

There are many, many different types of federal, state, and local law enforcement officer jobs. Check out our JOB OPENINGS page for more information. Below is a list of some VERY important factors that should be considered the moment you think you might be interested in becoming a law enforcement officer.1. The perception other people have of you is very important. If you are thought to be irresponsible, lazy, rude, stupid, crazy, etc., etc, then you might have a difficult time obtaining a law enforcement officer job with most agencies. Note that I used the term perception. It might not ever be figured out that you are really a responsible, energetic, polite, intelligent person if people perceive you to be otherwise. A thorough background investigation will include asking several people personal questions about your character. These people include current and past classmates, teachers, neighbors, coworkers, supervisors, landlords, etc. Investigators might speak with people that knew you years earlier. Whether or not you are deemed suitable for a police officer job can rest heavily on your reputation.

2. Your criminal history is very important. On applications or background questionnaires, agencies require you to report any crimes that you have been charged with to include traffic offenses. They also ask you if you have committed any relatively serious crimes that you were not charged with. This would include theft, drug use, assault, etc. If you fail to report something, and the background investigator finds out, you will almost certainly not get the job. Honesty and integrity are extremely important traits of law enforcement officers. No one is perfect. Just because you made a bad decision or two in your past doesn't necessarily mean that you will be disqualified or determined to be unsuitable for employment. A thorough background investigation will include checking with the Federal Bureau of Investigation records and court and police department records in every jurisdiction where you have lived, worked, or went to school.

3. Your employment history is very important. Any job you have or had is important. It doesn't matter if it was a part-time, full-time, or temporary job. It doesn't matter if it was or is with a fortune 500 company or at McDonald's or Wal-Mart. You want to be perceived as an excellent employee. You should strive to be professional, punctual, courteous, well groomed, and able to work well with others. You want to be thought of as reliable, and not known for calling off, being late, or unorganized. Also avoid horseplay, and do not quit without notice. Now, with that being said, it would be a good idea to try to get a job somewhat pertaining to law enforcement until you get a police job. Security jobs are abundant. Loss prevention jobs can be a lot of fun.

4. Your education is very important. The more education you have, the better chance you have of getting a law enforcement officer job and of being more selective about what jobs you try to obtain. Some agencies require only a high school diploma or GED. Many agencies require some college. Some require a bachelor degree. I tell anyone I talk to, and if you are reading this, I am telling you! Get as much education as you can- PERIOD! The jobs will be there after you graduate, and they will be easier to get with more education. Also, when you do get a job, it will be easier for you to advance to a supervisor position or an investigator position. When it comes to education, more is merrier. However, grades matter too. The better your grades, the easier it will be for you to get a good job. There are many ways to pay for college these days such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Find a school that you are interested in, and contact their admissions office. They will usually bend over backwards to assist you. There are also many reputable, accredited schools that allow you to take classes and earn a degree online. Check out their websites, and then call them if you have any questions. Also, getting a degree in criminal justice or something similar will certainly be helpful. However, a degree in something else that interests you is probably just as good for a law enforcement career. For example, an accounting or business degree would give you a great background for investigating white collar crime. Psychology degrees are excellent since most law enforcement officers interact with people every day, and a good knowledge base of human behavior can prove invaluable. Degrees in communications, science, management, international studies, etc. etc. are all good degrees to have. Law enforcement agencies want educated, well-rounded people to join their ranks. It is not until you begin a law enforcement academy that you have to worry about learning how to be a law enforcement officer.

POLICE OFFICER RECRUITING VIDEO

5. Your credit history and score is very important. It is very difficult to get hired by a good agency if you have bad credit and or a lot of debt. Bad credit indicates irresponsibility. If you have a lot of debt, agencies believe that you would be more likely to accept bribes, etc. You can get free copies of your credit report, and there are many ways that you can improve your credit score. Of course, credit problems are like crimes, it is always better to prevent them from occurring. Check out  FIX YOUR CREDIT PROBLEMS NOW! for more information. 

6. Military service almost always gives applicants an edge. Military service is an excellent way to gain life and job experience. It can give you a real advantage when applying for jobs. You can enlist as a military police officer and get excellent training and valuable experience. All branches of the military have military police or the equivalent. I will post more information about military law enforcement officer careers in the near future. There are programs that will pay for your college after you get out of the military and programs that will reimburse you if you have already earned a college degree. I would personally suggest getting a degree first if possible.

7. Here is a tip that should be pretty obvious. Be as physically fit as you can be. Most agencies require you to pass a medical exam and a physical ability test as part of the hiring process. Also, once you become an officer, your life can literally depend on you being physically fit.

8. Research, research, research! By visiting this website, and exploring the links provided, you are already headed in the right direction. Please add this site to your list of favorites and visit often. There will be new links, advertisements, and job information posted on a regular basis. You can ask questions and view or post job information on our forum. Most larger agencies have their own website where you can find general information about the agency and detailed information about applicant requirements and the agency's hiring process.

I truly love my profession, and I want to assist other people that have a desire to serve and protect. Being a police officer is a great career. It comes with a lot of responsibility and a lot of satisfaction.