In order to qualify as a police officer, applicants will be subjected to a battery of tests before being admitted into a police academy. In addition to a high school diploma or a GED, potential officers must also submit to a civil service test, drug testing, psychological and personality analysis, lie detector tests, as well as a medical exam and physical endurance test. The physical endurance tests typically include such exercises as a timed run, push up and sit up challenge, and a test pursuit. There are some locations and positions within the department that will require additional college credits or prior experience in criminal justice or the military. A criminal background check will also be performed and applicants will be screened for prior arrests, drug offenses, and any other components of criminal records.
Additional Skills of an Officer
Another skill required by police departments is the ability of the officers to keep highly detail records of all activities including incidents, accidents, and arrest. Excellent communication skills are an essential part of the daily work of an officer no matter what department or position they are working. Police officers need to very observant and detail oriented as much of their work involves precise record keeping in order to go into a courtroom prepared.
Types of Opportunity
In addition to the regular law enforcement work a police officer can secure, there are several specialties an officer can advance to, including instructor for field officers and firearms training, handwriting analyst, and fingerprint expert. These special areas of the police department will require additional training and/or schooling. Beyond the different specialties, many police officers can choose to work in special units of a police departments division. Some of the specialty divisions include bicycle patrol, canine units, horseback patrol, motorcycle units, Special Weapons and Tactics (or SWAT) team, and certified emergency responder teams.
Pay Expectations
As blue collar jobs go, police officers who put the lives in danger on a daily basis, get a starting salary of mid-30k's to low 40k's. More advanced salary potentials can reach mid 60k's to low 70k salary figures. Like many labor jobs, there is a shift schedule and many newbie will find themselves working the graveyard shift or during the wee hours of the morning. However, it is because of the hectic schedules and the on-the-job hazards that make police officers a familiar group, with a strong interpersonal connection.
Open Doors of Advancement
Working as an officer in an active police department can be one of the best blue collar jobs for those looking for an exciting career with advancement potential. The more experienced a police officer is, the more likely they are to move up into a civil service position that pays better, provided they keep increasing their responsibilities and they move forward with continuing education and training. The likelihood of a promotion can also depend on the department's size and opportunities within. Some larger areas will open doors for police officers to become detectives and achieve higher rankings within the departments throughout the years. Promotions to the big league positions including sergeant, lieutenant, and captain are typically based on direct performance and test scores from required written exams.
Alternative Opportunities
For people who are interested in law enforcement type work, but do not necessarily qualify for a police officer position, other alternatives including security guard jobs can provide some key experience and insight for future work as a police officer in a department. Blue collar jobs such as security guard work can be a stepping stone to a career in law enforcement, more so than other labor jobs.
Successful Applications
Finding a job in a police department does take preparation and time. Applicants should prepare a professional looking resume that lists all relevant schooling and training completed to date. Resumes should be accompanied by a professional cover letter, stating the intent of the applicant's interest in the open position as well as a summarization of the applicant experience. When applying to various job postings, it is important to personalize each cover letter based on the recipient and the resume should be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the job posting. Letters of recommendation or a list of references can also be helpful to the employer when making decisions about a group of applicants. Overall, the level of professionalism extended during the job hunt will be a strong reflection on the level of professionalism likely to be portrayed on the job.
