What Subjects Should I Take To Be A Police Officer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice.
  • Law Enforcement Operations.
  • Criminal Law.
  • Ethics in Criminal Justice.
  • Law Enforcement Operations.
  • Criminal Procedure.
  • Corrections.
  • Crime Scene Management.

Which subject is best for police officer?

  • Criminal Justice. Criminal justice is one of the best degree options for people in law enforcement because it directly addresses relevant topics. …
  • Psychology. …
  • Law. …
  • Forensics. …
  • Computer Science. …
  • Cyber Security. …
  • Accounting. …
  • Public Safety.

What should I study to become a police officer?

Here’s how to get there. Getting

a high school diploma or GED

is the minimum formal education requirement for most police officers. Many law enforcement organizations may require or prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or a certain number of postsecondary education credits.

Do you need math to be a cop?

Police officers use math during almost every shift throughout their service. So, they must have

solid math reasoning skills and the ability to make quick calculations on their feet

. Here are a few examples for everyday math you’ll be using as a cop: Calculating distance and speed in a traffic accident investigation.

What will I do in police career?

Duties can include

interviewing suspected criminals, taking statements, writing crime reports

, dealing with paperwork, gathering prosecution evidence, giving evidence in court, fostering good relationships, with the public, patrolling areas by foot and car, making and processing arrests, searching suspects, responding …

Is the police test hard?

The Police Officer Selection Test (POST) is much like many other civil service exams in that it is a test of basic skills, not necessarily specific law enforcement knowledge. …

The exam is typically not difficult

, but you may want to brush up on these basic skills before test day.

How long do you have to study to be a police officer?

While police academy programs take only about 6 months, most will require at least an associate degree in order to get accepted. With all things considered, it takes

about 2-4 years

to become a police officer.

What is the best college to become a police officer?

  1. John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, NY.
  2. George Washington University in Washington, D.C. …
  3. St. …
  4. Santa Rosa Junior College. …
  5. East Los Angeles College. …
  6. Monroe College, The Bronx, NY. …
  7. Hawkeye Community College Police Academy. …
  8. University of Tulsa. …

How smart do you have to be to be a police officer?

According to Wonderlic, a score of

20 to 27

is the particular range that best fits with the successful performance of police work. The national median score for police officers is 21, the equivalent of a 104 IQ, or just slightly above average.

What math do police officers use?

Police officers use

algebra skills

in traffic accident investigations. Algebra helps investigating officers calculate the speed of the vehicles involved, the distance traveled and the vehicles’ locations at the time of collision.

How long do police officers work?

You’ll typically work

between 35 and 40 hours a week

, but understandably you might be required to work early mornings, evenings, night shifts and weekends from time to time. Fortunately, police officers receive extra pay for overtime, but are expected to be available for duty on a 24/7 basis.

Is a police officer a good career?

While law enforcement jobs can often be stressful and potentially dangerous, they’re also

incredibly rewarding

because they touch so many lives. Many people who work in law enforcement are able to leverage their natural skills in communication, empathy, and awareness to protect their communities.

Why do police always touch your tail lights?


Police need to be able to examine a vehicle quickly before approaching it

, and touching/tapping a tail light can tell cops a lot about the person being pulled over. For instance, this tactic can give the officer an idea of the driver’s mental state.

How hard is it to pass the police academy?

On average,

14% of recruits

who are accepted won’t graduate from the police academy. Therefore, some recruits will attend an academy multiple times before they successfully pass. The police academy is renowned for being incredibly difficult on multiple levels.

Do you get paid in the police academy?


Officers receive a full starting salary while training at

a police academy. … Once you successfully graduate police academy, you will likely get a bump in salary. Depending on the police department where you work, this salary bump can be as much as $2,000 or $3,000 more than what you earned while training.

How much do cops get paid?

Annual Salary Hourly Wage Top Earners $65,000 $31 75th Percentile $54,500 $26 Average

$48,418

$23
25th Percentile $37,500 $18
Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.