How To Become a Police Officer
How To Become a Police Officer
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Police officers maintain order and protect people’s lives and property. They enforce local, state and national laws. Working as a police officer demands a sound mind, an able body and a commitment to upholding the law to ensure the safety of the community.
Police officers take on many roles and responsibilities that extend beyond enforcing laws. They often serve as first responders in an emergency, mediate conflict and work proactively to build trust with the community they serve. They collaborate with other emergency services, law enforcement agencies and organizations to prevent crime and keep people safe. The dedication, courage and public service of police officers are essential to fostering a secure and thriving society.
Number of jobs police and detectives held across the United States in 2023.1
The main responsibilities of a police officer include serving and protecting citizens, enforcing laws and responding to emergencies. It’s important to recognize the wide range of situations they face and the adaptability that their role demands. The work of a police officer is dynamic and different each day depending on the events that occur and the needs of the community. From routine traffic stops to high-pressure incidents, officers must be prepared to face any challenge that comes their way.
Police officers must work around the clock to help ensure that their communities are protected. They often work long shifts and overtime is common, especially during emergencies or large-scale public safety incidents. Some federal agencies may require officers to be on call 24/7 and be ready to pivot on short notice.
The day-to-day tasks of a police officer may include:
Patrolling neighborhoods
Police officers conduct community outreach and assess reports of criminal activity.
Investigating accidents
They provide critical documentation and occasionally administer first aid.
Traffic control
Working as a police officer involves ensuring roads are safe and enforcing traffic laws.
Arresting suspects
Police officers respond to 911 calls and detain suspected criminals.
Serving legal documents
They testify as a witness in court or present evidence.
Although the hiring process can vary across jurisdictions, there are many consistencies. Most officer candidates must have at least a high school diploma and successfully complete the police training academy. Note that the eligibility requirements and hiring process for becoming a federal officer may be more rigorous.2
In certain jurisdictions, it may be possible to become a police officer with just a high school education and training in a police academy. However, a bachelor’s degree, for example, may be a requirement to attain the rank of lieutenant or higher.2
Some police officers complete a degree from a community college or a four-year college or university if they want to position themselves to potentially advance in their career. Studying criminal justice or law enforcement are two options aspiring police officers may consider.
An undergraduate certificate can support aspiring police officers to expand their knowledge and skills about a particular area, such as law enforcement procedures, criminal law or cybercrime.
A police officer internship can provide valuable experience serving the community. Interns will assist with tasks such as data entry, data analysis, diagramming crime scenes and conducting community outreach.
Aspiring police officers that have not yet reached the age requirement may be interested in a cadet program. These programs allow candidates over the age of 18 to attend classes and do clerical work until they meet the age requirement to join the police force.
The education requirement for entry-level police officer roles is typically a high school diploma or GED. Some departments may require additional education depending on the area and the role.
There are numerous professional certifications available for police officers looking to specialize. You may be interested to earn certifications such as:
A criminal justice or justice studies degree program will introduce you to essential concepts in criminal law and criminal behavior.
You may choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree to have the opportunity to learn how to enforce the law in an objective and ethical manner.
Some of the concepts you may be taught during a bachelor's in justice studies degree are:
Threat assessment and behavioral analysis
Criminal procedure and public policy
Professional responsibility in justice
The adjudication function
Criminal behavior and victimology
If you are considering how to become a police officer, a degree can be a great pathway for developing passion and knowledge for law enforcement. We offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as certificate programs designed for all stages of your career journey.
In some departments, a bachelor’s degree may be a required to reach the rank of lieutenant or higher.2 We offer various programs that may be able to help you reach your professional goals in law enforcement.
If you interested in positioning yourself to potentially pursue high-level positions in law enforcement, consider a master’s degree program. These programs can help you develop skills in advanced topics, such as special investigations, forensics or legal studies.
While certificate programs alone may not guarantee certain job outcomes, a certificate can be a valuable addition to a degree. Earning a certificate can support the professional goals of police officers by providing specialized education in areas like homeland security or forensic psychology.
Police officers need a mix of physical, technical and soft skills in order to perform their job well. While there may be specific skill sets that apply to different areas of specialization, there are foundational skills that are applicable for all police officers. Critical-thinking skills, along with cultural competency, servant leadership and ethical decision-making skills are all necessary for successful policing.
Some of the most important qualities and skills for police officers include:
Physical stamina and strength
Good judgement and quick thinking
Leadership and confidence
Empathy and clear communication
Integrity, credibility and ethics
Understanding laws and how to enforce them
Approximately 96% of police and detectives in the U.S. work in a government setting while the other 4% are employed in state, local and private educational services.1 Police officers work across a variety of locations depending on their current assignment or role.
The settings and industries police officers work in include:
Local police departments
These police officers work within a city to respond to emergency calls, control traffic and investigate crime scenes.
Sheriff’s offices
Some officers serve entire counties and patrol rural areas.
Federal agencies
Specialized police forces work in agencies such as Border Patrol, the Secret Service, FBI or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Jails and detention centers
Often referred to as correctional officers, some police officers work in jails to ensure the safety of staff and occupants.
Schools
School resource officers keep schools safe by patrolling the grounds and responding to incidents.
GCU’s BS in Justice Studies was one of the top 10 traditional programs with the most 2023-24 graduates.
Number of police officers with a bachelor’s degree in 2023.3
After a few years of serving as a patrol officer and maintaining a clean record, you may be eligible to pursue a promotion.1 At some point, you may earn a supervisory role and oversee fellow officers. Some police officers eventually become detectives or seek lateral movements, such as joining a K-9 unit or becoming a member of a SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team.
You can potentially enhance your career qualifications by pursuing professional development opportunities, such as a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement advancement or justice studies. If additional training courses are offered, consider enrolling. You might also consider earning a graduate-level criminal justice degree to earn advanced skills to position yourself for possible higher-level promotions.
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Be the change your community needs — start your career in criminal justice with a degree from Grand Canyon University.