Officer Selection And Training Process

Becoming a police officer takes a lot of heart and determination. To become a police officer you must obtain a high school diploma or GED, pass the law enforcement entrance exam, graduate from the police academy and work towards promotion. In order to graduate from the police academy recruits must undergo 21 weeks of intense training. At the police academy recruits will learn all the following: state laws, criminal investigations, patrol procedures, firearms training, traffic control, defense driving, self-defense, first aid and computer skills (“An Overview of Police Academy Training”). The final step before graduating from the police academy recruits will take the Oath of Honor. “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution, my community and the agency I serve” (“What Is The Law Enforcement Oath of

The recruitment and selection process can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of any organisation so it is crucial that the right person is employed for the job. The selection process also involves the image as an employer and its ability to attract quality staff. When an individual is applying for a job, he/she will need to undergo some steps.

The question you ask this time is what the minimum standards should be for a police officer. By this I am assuming you are making a generalized statement for uniformed patrol officer and not an investigator or special agent category of law enforcement. For the standard patrol officer in my opinion the mere basics required should be a high school diploma, with attempted progress into an associate’s degree, to show an ability to continue educational requirements. I think also a minimum aptitude toward handguns and long rifles would be beneficial but not required if officer is going to be a parking cop or “meter maid” as they were once called but I would find that dangerous. I would suggest a minimum of some form of academy, though I dislike how many departments exclude any training that is not their own, training so that they now basics of law enforcement, verbal judo, note taking, and other essential skills to a patrol officer. Age requirements also mostly in my opinion are currently mostly for public support, I would say eighteen years of age would be sufficient, if the applicant shown enough discipline and tolerance toward the public and individuals they should be working with. This is because the majority of military personnel are of age eighteen when they are allowed to enforce military law why should civilians be allowed to think that it takes a slightly more mature person to do the same job with them. It is an ignorant belief of the civilian populace but well they

In some small towns, new officers get their training by working with an experienced officer. Inexperienced officers always are accompanied by veteran officers in order for them to learn. In bigger cities, police departments give classroom instructions in laws, accident investigation, city ordinances, and traffic control. Also they give instruction in the handling of firearms, methods of apprehension and arrest, self-defense tactics, and first-aid techniques. Even when you become an officer, you might still have to be trained in order to use new equipment as technology becomes more advanced.

The recruitment and selection process have different stage that all have to be to follow, to select the right candidates for the job vacancies.

Throughout the story a criminologist, David M. Kennedy talks how citizens who want to be a cop are hired without being taught psychology, anthropology, sociology and criminology and other classes that will prepare them for the job. This is true, I believe people who want to work in this profession should at least have some type of college education. In the text book “Police in America” written by Steven G. Brandl explains, police officers who have

-In order to become a police officer, there is no experience required, however to move up to a detective, there is a minimum of 5-10 years working on patrol before you can be part of an investigations unit.

In order to become a police officer, individuals have to be twenty-years of age, a United States citizen, have basic law enforcement training, mental evaluation, physical evaluation and no crimes committed. This article compares to the next article listed below because it provides background information and insight into how to become a police officer and the training they must acquire. The article helps me understand a basic component of my essay, which is the training police officers receive.

Courts, police, and corrections have been established in order to enforce law. These agencies consist of trained and educated individuals in the criminal justice field. Police officers are required to attend an academy where they learn, “…state laws, criminal investigations, patrol procedures, firearms training, traffic control, defensive driving, self-defense, first aid and computer skills” (Education Portal). These officers are prepared to deal with any dangerous situations in a safe and

The first step in consideration of law enforcement selection, is recruitment and Conser (1978) explained mandated minimum state standards for selection dates back to the early 1950 's; albeit the actual reinforcement of established selection standards emphasized to the states until 1975, when The Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations found police selection standards lacking (Conser, 1978). This lead to enacting legislation, employing the development of state commission councils of policing standards composed of local officials’ and law enforcement agencies, whose main responsibilities were to: oversee, implement and enforce the screening and evaluation of potential candidates; ensuring properly provided services and protection of local communities (Conser, 1978). The commissions set minimum standards of: 21 years of age or higher, good physical health, set minimum and maximum height and weight requirements to ensure the abilities of candidates would meet the physical demands of law enforcement work (Conser, 1978). Equally important officials’ sought out characteristics of candidates’ skills that consisted of: high emotional and stress level, endurance, confidence, public trust, and knowledgeable, psychologically sound individuals (Cosner, 1978). Moreover, officials’ conducted personality profiles, checked citizenship, verified addresses, and ran background checks (Conser, 1978). In addition, Cosner (1978) state the process also also involved: oral interviews,

Similarities that the Weslaco Police Department and the textbook “An Introduction to Policing”, are the hiring and recruiting process. Almost every police department in the United States works the same way in that process. Many police departments require that applicants be high school graduates and with a certain number of college hours. Applicants must be at least twenty-one years of age and U.S. citizens. In some departments weight and height are not important. Since most police departments fall under the civil service regulations, all applicants must pass written tests that measure their analytical skills. Applicants must also pass a physical exam. Where they must do a

The hiring process of the Culver City Police Department requires a few stages. The department requires a High School diploma or an equivalent alternative, must be a citizen of the United States if not at least a permanent resident who is eligible or has applied for citizenship. Along with that the applicant must have a valid class C driver’s license. There are multiple examination procedures: A written test which includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. There’s a physical test which includes timed physical activities that an officer should be able to perform in order to qualify.

Lawyers and psychologists require even more schooling, a minimum of around eight years. Police officers end up being all of these things, and more. To obtain the real goal of law, and prevent crime, officers must have the trust and respect of the community they serve. "Instead, policing has been defined as uneducated people's work" (Fyfe, 262). Many citizens feel that the people protecting them are not as smart as they are. This leads to disrespect, and a sense of superiority within the community. With disrespect comes uncooperation, something any department would be worlds better without. If officers were required to obtain more basic schooling, and focus on social issues and psychology more during training, they would be better equipped to take up the position of law enforcement in any community. Besides the obvious benefit of being more adept at dealing with citizens, there would be added bonuses in police departments requiring more strenuous schooling. With four years of general education, officers would inherently become acquainted with a wide range of topics that they might not otherwise be exposed to with the minimal curriculum now required. Foreign language, art, and psychology classes would be especially useful in exposing up and comers to the varied environments they might encounter in their careers. Most importantly, people in the community would have a new respect for the

     The curriculum that is devised for a police officer is very important to the police officer and his or her success in their chosen career path. An officer’s training is also very important to the community in which they serve and the department in which they work. An officer must receive training in a variety of fields to help them be a well-rounded police officer. Officers receive training in such areas as: law, community relations, firearms, vehicle driving, search and seizure, and cultural awareness. The basic curriculum that is offered to a new recruit is focused on giving the recruit the best overall training that will give him or her the tools necessary to become the

Once applicants with realistic job expectations are recruited the actual selection process starts. Selection is the process of choosing from a group of applicants the individual best suited for a particular position and organization (Mony, Noe & Premeaux, 2002, p. 175). The recruitment process is very important for this because