Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hi , i live in canada and i heard that you need to have a binocular vision in order to become a police officer. I was wondering if any of this was true and if it is different in the US. The only thing i ever wanted to do in life was to become a police officer or a firefighter and i'd really hate it if i won't be able to get a job because of that. One more thing , how long does it take before becoming a police officer in the US? What should your average look like? Thanks!

Question one: are you a US or Canadian citizen?

Question two: are you looking to become a police officer in the US or Canada?

The average time it takes in the US is between 3 months to 1.5 years for local/state LE. Federal LE can take 3 years (or perhaps longer).

Yes, you have to have vision in both eyes.

You do not need to have binocular vision. But you can't be blind as a bat either.

My agency issues binoculars.

I'm a Canadian citizen and yea sorry about that i wasn't really precise but if i do all the steps needed in Canada and it doesn't work out i will start getting my visa ( i know it's going to take me forever to get one..) and start looking for the police college course in the US. Im not anything near blind, i have eye contacts on most of the time and i see perfectly well( I know you can't have any glasses or eye contacts as a firefighter/ police officer that's why i will do the eye surgery after i graduate from college.) I have called the police station and the firefighter training school about the binocular vision thing and nobody knew what i was talking about. Somebody told me it was required for when you drive emergency cars because when you're going too fast you start losing the perception of distance and thats where the "3D"(binocular) kicks in..
If it's not required in the US than thats great.. i never would of though it would only take around 1.5 years in the US, in Canada you need an average of 90% to get in the course which takes 3 years to complete and once it's finished you have an average queue of 1-2 years before going in the police formation (which cost 6000$ and you need to stay there the whole time which is 4 months and you can be kicked out easily if you do anything stupid). One last thing what would be a good average if i want to become a police officer in the US ? Would they consider the grades i currently have here or will i have to do a college session before applying to police tech?

Thanks alot, sorry about the long text XD

I'm not a police officer, both of my cousins in Puerto Rico are.... From what numerous officers on this site told me, credit has to be good or decent.. If you owe anything you have to show payments**what Hillsborough county deputy unit told me**. If you move to the USA you will prob have 0 credit score even if it was horrible in Canada because you guys go by a Id number or something like that**my wife and daughter were born in Canada**.
If I was to move to Canada my credit will be 0 out as well and it will be easier for me to become a cop there. That is what Toronto PD has told me.. But i'm going to fix my credit here and become a deputy or cop here, i'm working on it so i'll give it a shot when i'm closer to my 0.00 debt calculator meets.. I don't want to easy way out, I like to fight to get there, and earn it.. I also heard from Toronto PD that Canada goes by all different credits in their college system, so the college here has to be re taken in their country approved by the provincial government... Not sure, but thats what I was told.. I may be wrong.. Just saying what I heard from Toronto PD..
**I am not a police officer** just was curious so made some calls...
Good luck on your dreams, I hope everything turns out well for you.
Take care.

Where I worked, you have to be a U.S. Citizen or obtain your citizenship within a year of hire. And it takes about 5 years to become a citizen.

My department requires no more than 100/20 uncorrected vision at your date of hire. Laser surgery is allowed but has to be done at least 3 years before the date of hire.