“While police officers go by different names-- officer, investigator, agent, etc.-- depending on where they work, they all protect the public by investigating crimes and apprehending criminals.” This is surely true, as it came from the wisdom of career government employee Michael Roberts, who boasts experience in both state and municipal government. Police officers are law enforcement officers who value the public 's safety above all else, and help to keep citizens safe by enforcing the law. Police officers are not required to have a vast amount of education, but they are required to at least have a high school diploma. Since, schooling is not a mandatory part of becoming a police officer, training and experience is valued very highly. It’s …show more content…
The basic standards for people applying are that: applicants must be a United States citizen, twenty one years old, own a driver’s license, pass physical requirements, and pass a background check. The physical requirements do not merely mean a physical exam. A candidate must also be able to pass a running test and a drug test. (Gresham) If applicants pass the qualifications test, they are then selected to go to the police academy. While there, they are trained in multiple ways which include classroom instruction, state laws, local laws, constitutional law, civil rights, and police ethics. Officers in training are supervised and given experience in areas such as patrol, traffic control, firearm use, self defense, first aid, and emergency response. (How to Become… Detective) The training program usually takes about twelve to fourteen weeks, and police officers are not required to have any additional training before they apply. (Gresham) But, those willing to do the distance must take into consideration a few factors. Police officers are not everyone’s favorite people. There are going to be people who do not like police officers. (Shover) Police officers are viewed in many different ways. Some think of cops as protectors, and others see them as their keepers. But, what candidates need to understand is that police …show more content…
Police Departments select members from the top twenty of the civil service test, and then send those lucky few to take a physical fitness test. The top candidates from the physical fitness test are then sent on to the background check. After the background check, candidates are sent to the polygraph test, which verifies everything that was put on the background check. Next after the polygraph test is the psychological test, and then the quick medical check. At the quick medical check the candidates are given a stress test, to see how well someone deals with stress. Finally, if everything has been going well then a candidate will receive a job offer from a Police Department. (Shover) The process after the police academy is a long one, but those lucky enough to make it through are rewarded for their