A high school diploma serves as the minimum amount of education a law enforcement officer at the state and local level must possess. A twelve-week training program at a police academy must be completed.
Wildlife wardens must complete a two-year course at the college level, and then follow up with a three to twelve month training program. Additional training may be required in some areas. (See References 1)
At minimum, federal agents must have earned a bachelor’s degree, equivalent work experience, or a four-year combination of both. FBI agents need an additional three years of educational or work experience or a combination of both.
The Bureau of Labor projects that state and local employment opportunities should be available, but that specialized positions will be competitive.
The National institute of Justice predicts that completion of a two-year college course will become mandatory for many law enforcement positions in the future.