How old do you have to be to become a police officer?

[russ2]

I'm 19 and have 1 semester of college and am in the marine corp reserves and was looking into becoming a police officer, but i think I'm too young.

[retdetsgt]

21 in most states. There are a few exceptions, but not many.

[CPL1897]

Some Cities hire at 19 in FL, In my opinion I think even 21 is too young. I was hired at 19 and have seen a lot of 19-20 year olds hired over the years. I have watched most of these folks lose their job over immaturity and bad judgement.

I may sound like a hypocrit but IMO most people under 30 still have a lot of "growing up" to do. Looking back I know I have made "judgement calls" that I would have made differently if I was older and more mature at the time.

Being young and getting in LE has its advantages (retire young etc), but you will also have to work a LOT harder to prove that you are mature and have good judgement etc.

[retdetsgt]

Some Cities hire at 19 in FL, In my opinion I think even 21 is too young. I was hired at 19 and have seen a lot of 19-20 year olds hired over the years. I have watched most of these folks lose their job over immaturity and bad judgement.

I may sound like a hypocrit but IMO most people under 30 still have a lot of "growing up" to do. Looking back I know I have made "judgement calls" that I would have made differently if I was older and more mature at the time.

Being young and getting in LE has its advantages (retire young etc), but you will also have to work a LOT harder to prove that you are mature and have good judgement etc.

If I were king of police, I'd make the minimum 25 unless you have at least 3 years continuous active military service. The military tends to mature you because you are given a lot more responsibility on a daily basis than a young person in the civilian world. Even I was amazed at how much I grew up in my first two years, but my parents and others really couldn't believe the way that I had matured and changed. College simply doesn't do that.

[L-1]

The minimum age in California is 18, however, most agencies will not hire you until you are 21.