How much training does a person need to be a Police officer?

Answer 1

That is determined entirely by agency or state regulating authority policy.

(in the US) All agencies will require a MINIMUM of a High School Diploma (or GED equivelant). A small number of agencies require a certain amount of college but the best thing to do would be to contact the agency you are interested in and ask.

Larger departments will probably have recruiting offices and the larger the department the more likely it is to have a website that will publish this very information.

Answer 2

Most agencies or police departments require the following:

- 21 years or older at the time of graduation from the police academy;

- clean background, no criminal offenses whatsoever;

- have never been involved or used illegal drugs, not even marijuana;

- applicants cannot have more than two points in their driver's license;

- military experience is desired but not required;

- most police departments want applicants to have college degrees. Some

want you to have Associates degree, some others want a Bachelors degree.

In small jurisdictions High school diploma is enough.

- have good physical and psychological condition.

Finally, the application process is very competitive and it takes one year from the time you submit the initial application until you either get hired or notified that you did not make it. It is a good advise to get to know your recruiter and to call him/her at least twice a month to check on the status of your application.