As a 17 year old what can I do now to be a police officer in the future? I am a senior currently, in 2 months I will be graduating. I really want to become a police officer but i’m not sure what I can start doing NOW that’ll help me.
Edit: I should also mention that I am from california if that makes a major difference.
Thank you for responding
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Join a branch of emergency services in your town. I’m a junior firefighter and applying to be a police explorer. It should really help. (Or so i’ve been told)
Look for a local agency that has a police explorers program (not sure if that’s what they’re called in other states). You could also find any available police cadet jobs (after you turn 18). A cadet position would get you face time with an agency and be a huge help when the application process comes around.
If you don’t want to go to school, which I don’t blame you if you don’t, then see if your local police department or sheriffs office have a junior academy or citizens academy program. Then go mingle with officers during those events. These days once a department knows you wanna do this job, they will do anything to hire you. In my state we even hire 20 year olds as officers so long as they graduate the academy at 21. Just network and if you want to join EMS that wouldn’t be a bad gig for a few years. Some departments even have an incentive program for those who worked in EMS.
Don’t go to jail
Get a degree other than criminal justice
Stay out of trouble and take care of your responsibilities
Explorer program. Cadets
I know you’re young, but try to maintain your credit and stay out of unnecessary debt.
Explorers program, cadet, anything to get your foot in the door
I was 19 when I got hired. I wasn’t an explorer, nor do I have college, and have a colorful past. I struggled after the academy but found a home relatively fast (11 years in now). Biggest thing I can say is be yourself and marketable.
Being active in your community and meeting some of the local guys does improve your chances. Try volunteering with your local SO or PD to get some face time.
Being in California I’m sure doesn’t make a big difference since EVERYONE is hurting.
Regardless, I work in recruiting now and the biggest thing I look for is:
“how will this person fit?”
“does this person WANT to be a cop and not just because they like the look?”
“what can this person do for the agency?”
“Will this person get us sued?”
And most importantly
“Will this person get himself or others hurt?”
Good luck on your endeavors and I hope everything works out for you.
Don’t try any drugs, stay out of trouble with the law both criminal and traffic law.
Stay in shape, study hard, develop good writing skills. Learn to talk to people
I was a police explorer until I was old enough to work for the Sheriffs Office in detention. I got a job with them and did that till I was old enough to go to patrol, been there ever since. Eligible to retire at an age where I can still go do another job and for fun and have a supplemental income. With most agencies pushing their retirement years up, get into it as young as you can.
Lots of great answers here…
I worked in the jail for the agency I wanted to work for on patrol as soon as i got out of high school. Been in the jail 2.5 years and have been hired with that agency to start the academy in June. Completed my bachelors online on my days off. That’s a good way to do it, especially with 12 hour shifts (you get a lot of days off) and hopefully your agency has some form of tuition reimbursement so you stay out of debt. You also start your states retirement at 18 by working the jail, making you eligible to retire at 38, even after you switch over to patrol. Not that you should retire then, but you will be very well off if you put 30-40 years in, or you could start a second career.
Also:
Pushups
Running
More pushups, more running. This is the part I neglected for too long. Start now, it will only hurt you if you don’t. Get fit.
I was in your exact situation just a couple years ago, message me if you have any specific questions.
Just a note, I’m in TX, so some specifics may be different for CA. We have lots of former CA cops in my dept…if you’re not tied down to CA, TX is a great place to be.
Best of luck to you.
Prolly study your counties laws non stop.
I would look into a police explorers/cadet program. That’s what I did and I loved every minute of it. Don’t get a degree in criminal justice , most departments won’t care what you have a degree in. And it’s a good fail-safe incase you change paths in the future .. I ended up going into FD/EMS but I still wish I got a degree in something else instead. Keep up with your physical fitness. It’ll make all the difference when the time comes to process for an academy !
Don’t score too high on the test.
I’ve been a promoted detective sergeant since you learned to walk. In Canada, mind you.
Be a good person. Give to your community. Be a lifelong learner, get a degree or trade in something you are passionate about. Learn other languages. Volunteer. Be fit. When they ask you about times when you stepped up have examples. Practically, Brazilian Jitsu is a good skill to have. Mostly, find ways to show you are a good, strong, and kind human. These skills will help you throughout your life irrespective of what path you choose.
Have a pulse and don’t have a criminal record
Well you’re off to a good start and are asking the right questions. The basic stuff:
-Don’t go to jail, don’t do anything that could send you there, don’t hang around with people who will probably end up there.
-Make smart decisions with money. Have a solid credit.
-Drive safely, and don’t do anything stupid while doing so.
-Always have some sort of community involved volunteer work. It helps way more than you think.
Other stuff:
-Becoming a Police officer is the end goal, not the first career step. Always stay gainfully employed and keep in mind any employer will be your reference.
-Gain life experience.
-Stay in shape through a regular fitness regimen.
-Learn how to eat nutritionally.
-read…for the love of whatever you pray to, read. Focus on material that teaches you skills. Not just police skills but life skills….
This is more info than I had at 17, but at 17 I was an idiot. I became a cop at 36. You can do it.
Keep in shape.
Make smart decisions.
Start working anywhere and everywhere. Work fast food, restaurants, retail jobs etc. gain life experience it’ll help you out in the long run.
Military then college or college plus rotc you will be able to get into any form of LE you want
Any degree will help you get hired. But it is wise to get a degree in something that you are interested that is not related to LE. this way you will have a fall back if LE doesn’t work out.
Join the military. Obviously several different branches to choose from with many different mission sets. If you want a law enforcement type experience, the coast guard is a great stepping stone into the field.
In addition to giving you a few years to mature, it will give you lots of good life experience, the ability to be on your own and still have a great safety blanket of pay, benefits and housing. Plus your post 9/11 gi bill will pretty much pay for your college afterward. You only need 3 years of active service for the full gi bill benefit.
Be responsible and of good character. If your friends suck or are not responsible or good character get rid of them. Won’t matter all your friends will be cops eventually anyways 😆