Trying to find the right career path for your lifestyle can be tough. There are endless options and then there is always the option to create your own. In the United States, determining who you are and what you want to be is a right that is strongly defended. If you are interested in a career that is different than the regular 9 to 5 and has a little more action than a tech giant, you may want to consider a career as a police officer. While the job is certainly one of the toughest out there, most police departments do their best to make a career with them as accessible as possible. Many times, the only things that are required to get started are a high school diploma or equivalent, and a history of honest and legal dealings with your fellow men. If you have those 2 things down, now would be a great time to apply to a school like the Los Angeles Police School. 2 More Prerequisites Other than the previously stated high school diploma or equivalent and a clean background check, the only prerequisites for police school are proof of U.S. citizenship or pending citizenship, and an age of at least 20.5 years. In most cases, you don't even have to be a resident of the area over which the particular department has jurisdiction; commuting is OK! The Diagnostic Tests While police work doesn't require an extensive academic background, it does require a thorough background check and an assessment of your decision-making as well as physical abilities. In general, there are 7 steps you will have to go through in order to be hired by a police department and accepted into their police school. The first step is usually a series of diagnostic tests that help you decide whether working for the police department is something you could realistically do. If the police department finds that the results indicate you may not be able to make it through the rest of the process, they won't string you along. In general, they are professionals and will extend those same practices and courtesies to their applicants. Think Honest Abe If you pass the diagnostic tests and questionnaires, you will be given a thorough background and aptitude test which includes an essay test and a polygraph test. That's right! Police officers don't mess around with honesty. As long as you are an upstanding citizen, however, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Gym Membership Recommended Once you have passed the background and aptitude test, you will have to pass an assessment of your physical abilities. During this test, the department will test your strength, stamina, and agility. While you certainly don't have to be a former Olympian to pass the test, you may want to spend some time in the gym if you don't already. Being a police officer is hard work that often involves physically demanding tasks like working big events, serving on the walking beat, and even pursuing suspects. The better the shape you are in, the more you will enjoy your job and the challenges it presents. Practice Those People Skills After your physical abilities have been assessed and approved, you will finally get to do an interview. This interview is like most other job interviews and is the department's chance to get to know you and for you to get to know them. If you both like each other, then you will be required to undergo both a medical and psychological exam. Pending a clean medical and psych evaluation, you will finally be accepted by the department and the police academy. With a few months of training in a quality police academy like the Los Angeles Police School, you will be on your way in an amazing career!
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