Basic Requirements

While requirements may vary from state to state and agency to agency, typical basic requirements include the following:

• Citizenship Requirement 
  Agencies may often require applicants to be U.S. citizens, or in some cases, lawful permanent residents who have applied for citizenship.
• Residency
  Depending on the jurisdiction, some agencies require officers to reside within their jurisdiction or to move there after being hired. This is not a requirement for all agencies; however, it is important to check with the department on their policy before applying.
• Minimum Age Requirement 
  The type and difficulty of these requirements vary by agency; however, some examples for requirements may include running a specific distance in under a certain time or performing a specific number of push-ups or sit-ups in a time limit. Check with the department you are applying to in order to prepare or train for any physical fitness tests.
• Education Requirement 
  Most agencies expect officers to have a high school diploma or GED at a minimum.  Some agencies require a bachelor’s degree or a minimum number of college credit hours.  Others offer additional pay based on educational attainment.  Regardless, education beyond high school will only help you in your policing career.  Having a four-year degree or an advanced degree is an asset in your career progression, particularly when seeking a promotion or specialized assignment. While criminal justice studies are the traditional route for those aspiring to a career in policing, many other fields provide you with a good foundation.  Sociology, psychology, and social work are a few other fields that are particularly well suited for police work.
• Valid Driver’s License
  Since most officers start out on patrol, a valid driver’s license is a requirement for any policing position.  Your driving history will also be reviewed during the background check.
• Minimum Fitness Requirement 
  The type and difficulty of these requirements vary by agency; however, some examples for requirements may include running a specific distance in under a certain time or performing a specific number of push-ups or sit-ups in a time limit. Check with the department you are applying to in order to prepare or train for any physical fitness tests.

While specific disqualifiers vary from department to department, any of the items listed below may disqualify you from police service.  Agencies use their discretion when reviewing past infractions.  Some come with a sliding time limit that may adjust based on the severity of the crime.  For example, marijuana use once in college 10 years ago might not be disqualifying, but marijuana used 10 days ago could.  Please keep in mind that departments have different requirements.  Below are some typical disqualifiers:

• Felony conviction (adult or juvenile)
• A serious misdemeanor conviction involving domestic abuse, a sexual component, or perjury
• Illegal drug use (current or past)
• Poor driving record (including reckless driving conviction)
• Driving While Impaired or Driving Under the Influence (DWI/DUI) conviction
• Poor credit history or other financial problems
• Dishonorable discharge from the military
• Disqualifying medical conditions
• Lying on the application, polygraph screening, or background investigation
• Past or current gang affiliations
• The presence of concerning personality traits in the candidate. This will be assessed through pre-employment psychological testing and background investigations
• Having tattoos that depict offensive language or symbols
• Termination from a previous police department or record of misconduct

If there is something in your past or present that you believe may lead to a disqualification from the police recruitment process, check directly with the department you are applying to.