Question about how to become a cop

[Unregistered]

I understand that in order to become a police officer, you need to get training at a police academy. My question is: Do you need to be hired first by a police department? For example, suppose a person graduated from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology or something, do they need to contact the police department they want to work in beforehand, before they go any further or can they apply? or do they need to go to the academy first?
And another question: what is it exactly that they learn in the police academy?

[txinvestigator1]

Depends on the department. Some PD's have their own academy, in which case you have to be hired first, then they will put you through the academy.

Some do not have an academy. You would then need to go through some type of outside academy.

Just ask at the PD where you are interested.

They teach you how to be a Police Officer at the Academy. A degree in criminology or Criminal Justice in no way prepares you to be a Police Officer. You will have likely learned with a liberal slant, and a lot of idealology and theory. (not saying thats bad, just not sufficient to be a LEO)

The academy will teach you the laws of arrest, the Penal, Drug, Family, Traffic codes, among others. You will will learn city ordininces, how to prepare proper reports, evidence handling and procedure, traffic accident investigation and reporting requirments.

You will learn how to respond to crime scenes, how to handcuff, proper use of force, self defense, firearms qualification, pursuit driving, dispute resolution and how to deal with EDP's (emotionally disturbed persons).

You will learn how to recognize the signs of intoxication and drug use, and what medical conditions can seem like the two.

You will be taught how to prepare for and testify in court. You will learn the Bill of Rights, what court cases have been decided based on them and how they apply to your job. The names Miranda, Escobar and Terry will take on new meaning.

You will learn how the job is going to effect you pyschologically and physically, how to cope with stress, etc.

First aid and CPR will likely be covered, with a strong emphasis on bloodborn pathogins.

Officer safety and street survival skills will be covered in great detail.

Patrol Procedures will be taught. What to look for on patrol, how to open your eyes and ears in way you never thought you could (I thought my first graveyard shift FTO had ex-ray vision--man the things he could spot at night).

Basic criminal investigation and crime scene preservation...

Adn the list goes on...I'm tired of typing.

[lprocter]

In ontario, the process is somewhat different. Here, you must be hired by a police agency, and then (sometimes) pay tuition to go to the Ontario Police College, in Aylmer. Note that you MUST be hired before you can go to the college. Upon graduation, you are appointed a constable in the agency you have applied to. In some forces, mainly the OPP, there is an additional two weeks of training that must be done at OPP HQ in Orillia. Here, it is basically an intro to provincial policing, and the differences between provincial and local policing. But for every other force in ontario (there may be some differences in the Toronto police) you must be hired first, then go to OPC.
As for other provinces, they are all (except Quebec, which has the same sort of system as Ontario), policed by the RCMP. The RCMP have their own academy in Regina, Sask., where you go upon being hired by the agency.

[SLG]

Here in Arkansas you have to get hired before you go to the Academy and before you go to the academy you will spend aleast 1 year on the streets doing FTO and learning the city and department opperations. Once you go to the academy you will learn the basics of being a police officer which is not nearly enough .....The rest you have to learn from the officers you work with your FTO and be yourself..



Yours Truely
SLG

[Byu]

.............(A degree in criminology or Criminal Justice in no way prepares you to be a Police Officer. You will have likely learned with a liberal slant, and a lot of idealology and theory. (not saying thats bad, just not sufficient to be a LEO) .............



Sure is nice to know that I am wasting my time and money on a degree that is required before you can be considered for the job.

also nice to know that all of those hours spent in CI classes and labs, TRW, Law, Policing, government, at the academy, FATS training, doing ride alongs, out on the shooting range, CPR certifications, in the crime lab, with the FBI, DWF, INS, USM...you name and weve probably been taught a class by them....defensive tactics, in the court room......and the list goes on.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that a degree is anywhere near teaching you the streets but i would have to disagree with the idealology and theory remark. I think I work pretty damn hard in trying to learn all of this and i know that you never stop learning with LE, but I would have to say that contrary to popular belief...we do a whole lot more than just sitting in a classroom, smiling and looking pretty and hoping that we can pass the next test. As a matter of fact, I would venture to say that 80% of our time is spent outside of the classroom.

But overall, I have to agree with TX and everyone else.

[txinvestigator1]

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that a degree is anywhere near teaching you the streets but i would have to disagree with the idealology and theory remark. I think I work pretty damn hard in trying to learn all of this and i know that you never stop learning with LE, but I would have to say that contrary to popular belief...we do a whole lot more than just sitting in a classroom, smiling and looking pretty and hoping that we can pass the next test. As a matter of fact, I would venture to say that 80% of our time is spent outside of the classroom.

Wow, if you are doing all of that in a college CJ or criminology degree program you are getting more than most colleges offer. You will be way ahead of the pack when you enter an academy!

Please explain: DWF, INS, USM??

I did not say, nor do I believe that you are wasting your time obtaining a degree.

An academy program is more closely and fined tuned on the typical job you would be doing in that agency. A college program covers a whole lotta stuff, and probably cannot focus too much on state and local statutes, ordinances and court rulings, because then a person obtaining a degree in TX would not have the knowledge needed in another state. College programs must be, by nature, broadly based.



But I bet you do look pretty sitting in the classroom!!:rolleyes:

[Byu]

...... To get you ready for the academy and working in the policing field.

And I totally agree....the Police Academy is more fine tuned, thats what it is there for. I have never said any different. I just wonder why so many ppl look down on those who try to better educate themselves in this field. Yes I agree that most of what you learn in LE you learn from the job. It cannot be taught in a textbook. And yes I completely agree that the police academy also teaches you tactics and technique acquainted with the job. But I also think that knowing the whys and hows of policing isn't a bad thing either. And its not just the folks here on the boards....its everywhere. We have officers who have been officers for years who are having to take classes and have the worst attitude about it. They feel as though it is a waste of their time.....that they cannot learn anything that they don't already know or that can't be taught to them while out on the streets. Its crazy in my opinion.

P.S. ...DWF-Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries......INS-Immigration and Nautralization Service.......USM-United States Marshall.........They take the time to come out and teach our classes on occasion and I think it is a nice thing to do.......teaches us about the various jobs and skills needed in different areas of LE.

[tommygenewoolworth]

Unregistered

you ask the question about going to the Police Academy and what exactely is learned at the Academy?

Speaking from first hand knowledge, if you attend the Indian Police Academy (sound bias especially from me) this is what you would learn:

You will receive 624 hours of comprehensive training in the following areas:
- Administration
- Behavioral Science
- Enforcement Operations
- Enforcement Techniques
- BIA Specific Courses
- Drivers Training
- Legal
- Physical Training

Each area has a classroom instruction, laboratory and practical pass/fail exercises. This is referred to as "Skill Based Training.

Our program last for 14.5 weeks. There are 11 academic examinations, 9 pass/fail practical exercies each cadet must pass to be a graduate of the "Indian Police Academy."

To attend you must be sponsored (employed) by a BIA or Tribal Law Enforcement Program, as a full time sworn officer. You must be at least 21 or (21 at the time of graduation), valid driver's license, and completed your agencies background investigation.
You must pass a physical examination with not adverse medical condition to prevent you from being physically capable of completing the program.