How to Join the Police Academy

Meeting the Prerequisites

Meet the basic age and residency requirements. In many areas, the minimum age requirement to join the police academy is either 18 or 21. Check with your local or state laws to determine how old you need to be before you’re able to apply and join. Police officers also usually need to live in the area where they’re applying for at least 1 year. Wait until you meet the requirements before you fill out any applications. You must have proof of citizenship, such as a Social Security card, ID, or birth certificate, before you can become a police officer and get in the academy. Some areas may also have age limits for their police academy, so be sure to check with them so you know if you’re able to join.

Make sure your criminal record is clean. Follow all the laws in your area so you don’t get charged with any criminal activity before you apply for the police academy. Any felony or domestic violence convictions automatically disqualify you from attending the academy, so check that you don’t have any on your record. Misdemeanors older than 3 years and DWI convictions older than 5 years may be overlooked when you apply for the police academy depending on the charge or the area where you live.

Maintain your physical fitness. Police officers are often put through physical tests, so staying fit will help you succeed at the academy. Focus on your stamina by doing cardio exercises, such as running or biking, as well as strength exercises, such as push-ups and bench presses. Continue maintaining a workout plan on your own so you can stay fit and build muscle. Eat healthy meals on top of exercising so you are the fittest you can be.

Have good moral character. Police officers are often faced with difficult decisions that require the most moral plan of action. Work on developing your own morals, like empathizing with other people, being honest, and respecting everyone, since they can help you make the right decisions while you’re at the academy and working as an officer. Take ethics courses online or in person if you want to learn more about how to build your moral character more.

Familiarize yourself with the laws in your area. Look online to find the federal, state, and local laws in your area and read over them so you have a general understanding of them. Each city may have slightly different laws, so make sure to check with your own local government to see what specific ordinances they have. Learn a few laws every day so you can keep expanding your knowledge and become more informed. You will also learn more about law in the academy, so you don’t need to remember it all right away.

Earn your driver’s license. Practice driving with a licensed driver so you can learn how to use a car and drive it properly. When you feel comfortable behind the wheel, schedule a driver’s test with your local Department of Motor Vehicles so you can earn your driver’s license. Be attentive while you’re driving and keep your eyes focused on the road. As long as you follow the traffic laws and drive safely, you’ll be able to get your license. If you already have your license, make sure that it isn’t expired, and renew it if you need to. You may need to take driver’s education courses depending on where you live.

Get your high school diploma or GED. If you’re still in school, focus on your classes so you can get the best grades possible. Try to take courses in psychology, sociology, and math to help enhance your skills in the police academy. If you don’t have your high school diploma, earn your GED so you’re eligible to get accepted to the police academy.Tip: Many GED night courses are offered so you’re still able to work during the day while you’re earning your diploma.

Earn an associate’s degree in criminal justice for better chances of getting accepted. College degrees aren’t required for police officers, but they can help you get more educated and help you get a job later on. If you plan on attending college, aim to take courses in psychology, criminal law, and ethics to help prepare you for the academy. Take a few physical education courses if they’re offered so you can stay fit and improve your skills. Check with the police force or the academy that you’re applying for since they may have different education requirements.

Applying to the Academy

Apply to a police academy for the department you’re interested in. Different police departments may use a state- or area-wide academy, or there may be private academies hosted at community colleges in your area. You may also be able to choose full-time or part-time, where you’d do courses on nights and weekends. Reach out to the department that you want to work for to find out how to get an application for their police academy. Fill out the application with your basic information, education, and work history before submitting it online or in person. If you’re hired by a police department before you go to the academy, they will sponsor your time at the police academy so you don’t have to pay any fees and guarantee a job when you finish. Reach out and apply to the department so you can interview with them before you go to the academy.

Take the required written academic exams. The academic tests for the police academy are usually multiple-choice exams that test your reading comprehension, spelling, and writing skills. Look at the available times for the test for the academy you’re applying to and attend the soonest exam date you can. Complete the exams within the 2 ½-hour time frame you’re given, and double check your answers if you have time to ensure you’ve answered each question correctly. You can find generic practice exams online to help prepare for your tests.

Perform your physical ability examination. The physical exam tests your fitness to see if you’re able to become a police officer and perform well at the academy. Look at the dates available for the physical exam at the academy so you know when you need to take it. The exam usually consists of a 1 ⁄2 mi (2.4 km) run, push-ups, sit-ups, and bench presses. Warm up and practice exercises before your exam so you’re prepared for it. Your physical exam may differ depending on what your department requires.

Interview for your place in the academy. The interview will cover your basic experience, your motivations for joining the academy, and your communication skills. Schedule your interview with the academy so you can meet one of the supervisors that’s in charge. Smile and be completely honest during your interview to show that you’re friendly and have good integrity. The interviewer may also ask you how you would handle situations that a police officer may commonly face, so try to give the most detailed response you can without rambling. For example, you may be asked how you would handle a difficult or apprehensive suspect, or you might be asked how you may offer help to someone in need. Dress well for the interview with either a button-up shirt or blouse, dress pants, nice shoes, and a tie.Tip: Try to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled interview so you have time to settle in and prepare.

Pass a background check and drug test for the academy. Before you’re accepted to the police academy, they will complete a background check on you to confirm you don’t have any criminal or drug-related activity. Check that you don’t have anything on your record that will count against you, or else you won’t be able to join the academy. You are also required to take a drug test, which may be done by checking your urine, hair follicles, or saliva. If both the background check and drug test come back clean, then the academy will proceed with your application. Don’t lie about any criminal history that may show up on your background check since it can disqualify you from the academy.

Have a medical and psychological evaluation done. Once you pass the previous exams, you’ll be asked to complete a medical and psychological evaluation to make sure you’re fit to become a police officer. Visit the doctor so they can go over your medical history and perform a check-up to make sure you’re fit for the academy. Then, see the psychologist who the academy offers to go over your family’s mental health history and talk with them to determine if you’re mentally ready for the job. Some police academies may not require a psychological evaluation.

Attending the Academy

Pay the fees for the academy if you have any. The fees for the police academy include the costs of your uniforms, education, firearms, and examinations you’re given while you attend. Police academy fees are usually $1,500 USD or higher, so check the costs before you start attending so you know how much you owe. If you aren’t able to pay your fees, then you cannot attend the academy. If you’re sponsored by a police department, then you don’t have to pay fees for the academy. You may be able to take out a loan to pay for your time at the academy.

Come to your first day of police academy. Police academy usually runs 5 days a week from 8 AM - 5 PM, but it may vary depending on the location. During the morning, attend lectures and classes, such as criminal law, police procedure, and ethics. After a lunch break, participate in field training, which may include physical fitness courses and police simulations, such as making arrests or firearm training. On your first day, bring a wristwatch, college-ruled paper, #2 pencils, a notepad that fits in your shirt pocket, black pens, a highlighter, and liquid paper. The academy will supply all your other books and supplies.

Wear your uniform while attending the academy unless you’re instructed otherwise. During most of the time you’re attending the police academy, you’ll need to wear a standard police uniform. If you’re doing physical exercises or you’re practicing, you may be able to wear different clothes, but only if your commanding officer tells you it’s okay. Make sure your uniform meets all of the standards laid out by the academy so you don’t get in trouble. Uniforms are provided to you by the academy when you start attending.Tip: You may also need to follow set grooming standards, such as pulling your hair back or shaving your face each day.

Complete the physical training to stay fit and active. During your time in the academy, you’ll need to complete physical activities, such as running, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and obstacle courses. Do your best while you’re exercising to show that you’re committed to the challenge and to stand out in the academy. As you go through the academy, the physical tests get more difficult and push you more. At the end of your time at the academy, your physical exams may include dragging a heavy dummy, completing an obstacle course in a certain amount of time, and scaling a climbing wall. Be careful not to fall behind during your physical training.

Participate in simulation exercises to practice real-world situations. Simulation exercises may include firearm training at a range, pursuing suspects on foot, and practicing defensive tactics. Get fully engaged in the simulations and pay close attention so you don’t miss any important information. If you make a mistake, be sure to correct it for the next simulation so you’re prepared. Some other simulations you may need to go through include pepper spray training, teambuilding, and pursuing people in your vehicle. Listen carefully to your commanding officers so you don’t miss important details or instructions.

Practice writing reports and other paperwork. When you’re in the classroom at the police academy, you’ll learn how to structure police paperwork and crime scene reports so you can do well in the field. Listen closely to the scenarios you’re given or simulating, and make sure to fill out all of your forms correctly. As you learn more, you’ll be given more difficult tasks to complete so you’re prepared for being a police officer when you’re finished. You will also learn when to use certain forms over another and how to handle difficult situations that you may face in the field.

Pass the written and physical examinations you’re given. At the end of your time in the police academy, take any written or oral examinations they give you to show that you’re ready to become a police officer. These exams will cover all of the content you learned while you were at the academy in multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Physical exams may include shooting your firearm, participating in simulations, and arrest procedures. Study hard and practice for the exams so you can prepare. Aim to get a 75% or higher on each exam, or else you will not pass. If you do not pass these exams, you may have to retake them. The percentage you need to get correct may vary depending on the academy. You may be able to find generic study guides for police academy exams online.

Attend graduation when you complete the police academy. The police academy will hold a swearing-in ceremony when you graduate so you can become a police officer. Invite friends or family to the ceremony date so they can celebrate with you. During the ceremony, take your oath so you can join the police force and accept your badge. Be sure to follow any directions or orders that your commanding officers give you throughout the ceremony. If you do not graduate from the police academy, then you won’t be sworn in or attend the ceremony.