I would like to become a police officer. Any advice?

Hey all,
I have been thinking about becoming a police officer for quite some time now, and I would like to know how to go about doing that. Obviously I have no arrests or anything that could disqualify me from being able to become a police officer. I guess I'm curious with where to begin. I mean do I go to the precinct I want to apply for and apply? or how do I begin this process? Any information is greatly welcomed and thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully respond!

Going through this exact process... I signed up for the fall RRCC Law Enforcement Academy, which I've heard doing a Community College sponsored POST academy is the way to go. I'm pretty sure Arapaho Community College has one, but it might be a little too late (last Friday was the Red Rocks deadline), you'd have to contact them and check. But the competition for most departments that host their own academy (Jeffco- Combined with Golden, Lakewood, Arvada; Denver; CSP- to name a few) is usually pretty high, this year's Jeffco academy had over 800 applicants apply, and I think they only selected about 20-something or so. Your best bet is to check out a community college academy and apply for that, complete it, then you shouldn't have too much trouble getting hired on, unless you want to get on a specific department, then it depends on if they have their own in-house academy or hire POST certified. The Director of the RRCC Academy and I had a chat after I got accepted and he told me that 26 out of the 27 in the most recent academy had a job lined up, at the latest, a few days prior to graduation. Good luck! [Beer]

Yeah. Become a firefighter instead.

After going though the process some 25 years ago and not getting hired this is how I would do it today. Pay your own way at a community college to get your POST cert. and then volunteer for your local Sheriff's department and get on the wait list for a paid position. Once you get hired and have some time under your belt, shop yourself to a department of your choosing.

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Originally Posted by SuperiorDG

After going though the process some 25 years ago and not getting hired this is how I would do it today. Pay your own way at a community college to get your POST cert. and then volunteer for your local Sheriff's department and get on the wait list for a paid position. Once you get hired and have some time under your belt, shop yourself to a department of your choosing.

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Aims has an inexpensive academy

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Originally Posted by SuperiorDG

After going though the process some 25 years ago and not getting hired this is how I would do it today. Pay your own way at a community college to get your POST cert. and then volunteer for your local Sheriff's department and get on the wait list for a paid position. Once you get hired and have some time under your belt, shop yourself to a department of your choosing.

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From all I've heard recently it's actually not too hard to get hired straight out of a CC academy. I've spoken with graduates of one two years ago, and one year ago, and most, if not all, find work right after the academy pretty easily. I've even heard they recruit at academies sometimes- especially smaller departments. And if a recent POST certified graduate is willing, UT, NE, NM, and WY readily will hire CO POST certified individuals pretty quickly too. So maybe the volunteering at a local SD was a good idea 25 years ago, but I half expect to have a job by mid Jan when I graduate in mid-December. [Beer]

Just don't be a dbag and shoot our dogs or give us tickets, we won't talk bad about you then!

I have nothing to add! Good luck

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Originally Posted by Ronin13

From all I've heard recently it's actually not too hard to get hired straight out of a CC academy. I've spoken with graduates of one two years ago, and one year ago, and most, if not all, find work right after the academy pretty easily. I've even heard they recruit at academies sometimes- especially smaller departments. And if a recent POST certified graduate is willing, UT, NE, NM, and WY readily will hire CO POST certified individuals pretty quickly too. So maybe the volunteering at a local SD was a good idea 25 years ago, but I half expect to have a job by mid Jan when I graduate in mid-December. [Beer]

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I hope your right.

Do an accredited academy, get an associate's degree in a related field, and grow a thick skin.

If-n you have the calling go for it.Volunteer for your local Sheriff's department Start working at the jail and go from there. Then you will see what you are playing with.