Premium Content for Members Only
Become a Cop >> Browse Articles >> 10 Steps to Joining the Force
Step 2: Decide if You're Ready
118 Comments
Will you fit in? Are you old enough? Are you too old? Do you have a criminal record? Understand the basic requirements of joining a department here with:
• Basic eligibility requirements
• Reasons to join
• Benefits overview
• Law Enforcement vs. Civilian Comparison
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requiremen...
Premium content is for PoliceLink members only. To continue reading, please sign in or create an account — it's free and takes less than a minute!
mixedjewel20002002
about 3 years ago
2 Comments
Hi, My name is Meghan I am 19 years of age and I plan on taking an online college for a 2 year course this summer to become a police officer. I really want to become an officer its always been my dream as a kid. Now that Im 19 Im really considering becoming one and getting my career started and hopefully have it started by the age 22. I pretty sure I can do all the requirements asked as I use to play basketball for my school in high school. Thanks for reading n giving me the time to tell you a little about my life an what I want out of it.
88malo
about 3 years ago
134 Comments
im 21 and whant to be in law enforcement. i aplyed at customs, border patrol and CHP. witch is the agency i really whsnt to join. but i flunkd the CHP test and did not qualify for federal law enforcement.
know im taking in home classes for criminal justice with stratford university and hope to improve my skills.
PS: i have an infraction on my record, willl that affect me?
PATIENCE21
about 3 years ago
24 Comments
I am also 21.I was born in California moved to Jersey then to North Carolina and back to Jersey.i have been through many from foster care to meeting my father for the first time at age 16.I use to stress but for a long time i have been telling myself if i could rewind i would not change anything because it makes me who i am today.I am very positive and there is always more room to learn.My past pushes me to do the right thing.My daughter was born Jan 22 2010 and I WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR HER. " a warrior does not give up on what he loves he finds the love in what he does" . words i have heard that have never left my head. i love working out. ADAPT AND OVERCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yuntian
about 3 years ago
2 Comments
21 or 21 and older?
addy1234
about 3 years ago
2 Comments
i am 18 and i want to become a police officer. i love staying fit. and i want to put criminals in jail. but would anything disqualify you. like medical?
x2CopInTraining1x5
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
I am 21 and just decided to become a police officer but i'm worried i might be to short. I'm currently 5'3. Is there a hieght limit?
3y3_kuL33
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
I am a 32 yr old student STudying Criminal Justice to become a LEO. I have a couple of drug paraphenelia possesion charges while I was a teenager I hope that this doesn't break my chances of becoming an LEO.
JFULFORD
over 3 years ago
24 Comments
TODAY IS JAN, 5,2010 AND I START SCHOOL TOMORROW FOR THE POSTION IN WICH I WOULD LIKE TO DO AND AS FAR AS AGE OVER 21 UNDER 40 INFACT OVER 30 NO RECORD ON FILE HAVE GUN PERMIT (LIFE TIME). JUST TELL ME WEN AND WHERE TO GET POLYGRAPH TEST DRUG TEST ANY TIME ANY PLASE WILL PASS EVERY TIME. I FEEL THAT I AM READY FOR WHAT I WANT TO BE
americas1776
over 3 years ago
42 Comments
I have a degree as a Medical Assistant, this field while fun, became a paper pushing job as well as having to deal in office politics whichs as we all know has its ups and downs. In my case it had a result in my descision to leave this field and become a LEO, a goal I have had for a few years now, but my question is, is my degree enough or will I have to take collage courses in CJ before I can start ?
swankk
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
21!? bahhh
mooree
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
Want to serve. Protect the good people of our country!
theBrightside
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
I am 18 years old and want to become a Police Officer or Sheriff Deputy when I am honorably discharged from the Army. I will be 24 when I am out. I am currently an Explorer at my local Sheriff's Office and a student in a Law Enforcement program at a community college. While my future as a Police Officer seems promising, I am worried that my experimentation with marajuana when I was 16 will effect my chances. Does anyone know if certain agencies will not consider me because of this factor?
Edwin022
over 3 years ago
4 Comments
I have one felony on my record will that stop me from becoming a police officer? The felony is from 2006 for battery on a school board employee. I am hoping that I can still havec a chance at becoming a police officer.
sjimenez1
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
im21 an have made my career choice is to become a police officer. please if anyone has any info they might be able to send i would appreciate it.
lioam19
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
since i came to this great country, I've been waiting for an opportunity to serve , but the thing is that i'm not a US citizen , i'm resident , so i can joing in the army til i become a US citizen , but if i do that then i can not visit my mom in cuba , i can not travel to cuba , so i have to keep waiting my US citizenship to joing in the law enforcement , til that ,good luck to all of you and fight for your dream and for the safety of your comunity and your childrens ....that's what we all do ...