Law enforcement offers a variety of career opportunities, many of which are available to candidates without degrees. If joining the police force would make your day, here's how you can prepare for a career in the field of fighting crime.
Take high school and/or continuing education courses in business math/accounting, computer applications and behavioral sciences.
- Maintain your level of physical fitness. Participation in high school sports will contribute to both your athletic development and your application for appointment to the police department.
- Consider a period of military service. Two years in the armed forces is excellent mental and physical conditioning for police work.
- Use common sense. There will be a background check, and a career in law enforcement can quickly be short-circuited by "youthful indiscretions."
- Take the written civil service exam for police officers. You can obtain information about the exam through your local police department.
- Pass the physical exam, which typically includes tests of vision, hearing, strength and agility.
- Pass the lie detector test.
- Pass the drug test. In addition, should you become a police officer, you may be subject to continued random drug testing during your employment.
- Have an interview with a senior officer and/or take a personality test to assess your personal characteristics, such as judgment, integrity and responsibility.
Law enforcement offers a variety of career opportunities, many of which are available to candidates without degrees. If joining the police force would make your day, here's how you can prepare for a career in the field of fighting crime.