Students who are interested in becoming police officers can pursue vocational school degrees in fields such as criminal justice, law enforcement, police science or administration of justice. Although some police officers enter the force with a high school diploma, most departments usually require at least a year of postsecondary education from a technical/trade school, vocational school or college. Diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor's degrees are available at a variety of institutions across the United States. Some colleges additionally offer these programs online.
Many police departments also require recruits to complete training for 12 to 14 weeks at a local, regional or state police academy. Police academy students usually learn about accident investigation, constitutional law, civil rights and state/local laws. They also receive hands-on training in traffic control, patrolling, using firearms, using self-defense techniques and responding to emergencies. These academies additionally offer training in physical fitness.
Criminal justice courses at the college level prepare students for police academy entrance exams. These classes cover topics such as criminology, crime theory, corrections, juvenile offenders and white-collar crime. Students also learn about rehabilitation and repeat offenders, investigations/procedures, report writing for law enforcement and cross-cultural relations. Criminal justice degree students usually can choose a track in corrections, law enforcement or loss prevention/asset protection, according to Youngstown State University in Ohio. Students in these types of programs additionally can take advantage of internship opportunities.
Police officers who have completed vocational training can work as an accident prevention squad police officer, animal cop, alcohol law enforcement agent, border patrol agent, school or college campus police officer or even city marshal. These professionals also can become detectives, Drug Abuse Resistance Education officers, highway patrol officers, rangers or security police officers. In addition, students can even become fish and game wardens, but this typically requires at least two years in college followed by three to 12 months of academy training. Federal agency roles require bachelor's degrees.
Employment of police officers and detectives is expected to grow 10 percent from 2008 to 2018. Median wages of police officers in May 2008 were $51,410. Having an associate or bachelor's degree makes police officer job candidates more employable.