Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hello everyone, I am kind of new to the forum, and don't really post often, but I was just wondering if I could get some input from you guys. My life-long goal is to become a Police Officer. I am set on it, and that is what I am going to do.

Right now, I am 16 years old, and am a Police Explorer. I just started with the Explorers probably 5-6 months ago, but have already done a ton of stuff, and have learned a few things along the way.

I volunteered with my local library for 5 years, and picked up a lot of experience with assisting people, and associating with the public.

This is my current plan to become a Police Officer, please tell me if I am missing anything, if it should be changed, or if it sounds good, and if I would have a good chance of getting hired.

1) Get a job at Six Flags as a Security Guard. (Age 16).
2) Complete High School. (Age 18).
3) Get a job at the mall as a Security Guard. (Age 18).
4) Go to community college, get Associates in Criminal Justice. (Age 18).
5) Become an Auxiliary Officer. (Age 21).
6) Put myself through the Academy. (Age 22).
7) Apply for Police Officer position. (Age 22 / 23).

I am just wondering if I am going on the right path, or if I should include something to give me a better chance of getting the job!

Thanks! :D

PLEASE , PLEASE do not consider that becoming a security guard is some sort of stepping stone into Police work. MOST of the time it isn't. We would rather teach you the right way to become a Police Officer than un-teach you bad security habits you picked up.

You do not need " experience " to become a Police Officer.

You do need....common sense , the ability to think on your feet, being in shape, a good work history, a degree or military would be great.

MOST PD's do not , repeat do not consider a security background to be a plus as that job is full of people who cannot ever be cops and are living out the "wannabe" dream in a security uniform.

EVERY job that you do , do to your best. ONE of them may be a critical reference for you in the future. I had a job working for a temp agency for about 6 months. 2 years later when I applied for my job , they turned out to be a great reference for me. Do what they ask you to do without complaining , be the employee that when you do leave....they would want to hire you back.

1) Get a job at Six Flags as a Security Guard. (Age 16).
2) Complete High School. (Age 18).
3) Get a job at the mall as a Security Guard. (Age 18).
4) Go to community college, get Associates in Criminal Justice. (Age 18).
5) Become an Auxiliary Officer. (Age 21).
6) Put myself through the Academy. (Age 22).
7) Apply for Police Officer position. (Age 22 / 23).

I am just wondering if I am going on the right path, or if I should include something to give me a better chance of getting the job!

Thanks! :D

1) Won't mean much except in showing a good work/attendance record. No calling in sick, no no-shows, etc

2) A must. Not a GED, either, a real diploma.

3) Same as #1

4) Weak. Better to get a four year Bachelors in anything than a two year CJ. Get a state college degree in something you like doing. If policework doesn't work out for you, you've got a fall back plan. Besides... many agencies pay yearly premiums for four-year and better degrees.

5) Okay, but not necessary. Auxies aren't looked on or treated well by most departments. They get to stand at barricades and direct traffic at church festivals. Not a "foot-in-the-door" position.

6) Why? Are there no agencies in your area that hire first, then send through their academy? Paying your own way has three problems. Tuition is expensive. You have no income while you do it. It doesn't make you any more qualified than someone sent by an agency and paid while they go.

The only advantage is you'll be attractive to agencies too cheap to hire uncertified candidates. Is that a department you want to work for?

7) Apply at several agencies while you're completing your last year in college. Why wait? That way, you get experience taking tests. Expect to get a few rejection letters, but who knows... you may get hired. Take some Spanish classes for your electives. You'll need them and they'll look good to recruiters.

You don't plan on applying to be a police officer until you are 22-23. Why not give this one a shot...

1. Get your license, drive safely and maturely (16)
2. Get a job that pays well, that you enjoy, and that you will stick with (16-18)
3. Graduate High School with excellent GPA and without getting in trouble (18)
4. Join Army (or any branch) as MP and get relevant experience and vet pref points. (18-21 or 22)
5. Get a degree in something other than CJ in case you find you don't like the work while you're in the military (if possible) or at least work towards it. (18-22)
6. Leave the military, if you so desire, and let Uncle Sam pay for the academy and any other schooling you need/desire. (23- ?)
7. Have military experience, MP experience, a degree, and veterans preferance points to shoot you to the top of the list of perspective candidates.



First things first, enjoy being young! You're 16. Enjoy life (responsibly of course). Life comes at you fast. Don't be in too big a hurry. Keep your nose clean and see what happens over the years. Things change. Don't put all your eggs in one basket just yet.

Either way, best of luck to you whichever plan you decide to go with.

You don't plan on applying to be a police officer until you are 22-23. Why not give this one a shot...

1. Get your license, drive safely and maturely (16)
2. Get a job that pays well, that you enjoy, and that you will stick with (16-18)
3. Graduate High School with excellent GPA and without getting in trouble (18)
4. Join Army (or any branch) as MP and get relevant experience and vet pref points. (18-21 or 22)
5. Get a degree in something other than CJ in case you find you don't like the work while you're in the military (if possible) or at least work towards it. (18-22)
6. Leave the military, if you so desire, and let Uncle Sam pay for the academy and any other schooling you need/desire. (23- ?)
7. Have military experience, MP experience, a degree, and veterans preferance points to shoot you to the top of the list of perspective candidates.



First things first, enjoy being young! You're 16. Enjoy life (responsibly of course). Life comes at you fast. Don't be in too big a hurry. Keep your nose clean and see what happens over the years. Things change. Don't put all your eggs in one basket just yet.

Either way, best of luck to you whichever plan you decide to go with.


He COULD go in SF in the USAF too :)

There's a saying I like that I think applies here: "Want to hear God laugh? Tell him your plans."

+1 to the already-stated advice, especially what armydiver said about enjoying being young. It's good to have an idea about where you want to end up, but you need to be flexible enough to handle the bumps that life throws at you along the way. From the time I was 16 to the time I was 23, I had more jobs than I can remember off the top of my head. I went to three different colleges, had four different declared majors (none of which were CJ)... and yet, I still got hired.

If there were two things I could do different, however, it would be: 1) Get in shape early, and STAY in shape. 2) Military service.