How to start becoming a police officer?

[craftspace234]

Yes I realized I posted this in the wrong section so I would like to see some answers from here. Okay so I am in college going for a bachelors degree in business (Probably in accounting or finance.) So far, I am almost done getting my associates in business. So here are my top 5 questions I have on becoming a police officer.

1.) Should I apply to departments right now? Or after I get my associates? Or after my bachelors or what?

2.) What do you recommend for me to do in order to have a better chance of getting hired? Besides of course getting a bachelors degree. (Aka volunteer programs, ride alongs with police officers, recommendations from teachers etc)

3.) Will joining volunteer programs like a emergency management department give me an edge when applying? There is one by my house but you really have to devote your time for it and I work and go to school and really don't have time for something like that. But would it be worth doing? Does it really give you that extra edge?

4.) How exactly does it work when "applying" to become a police officer? You send a request to a department you wish to join or what? Or must you find an academy first or what exactly?

5.) Last but not least, what exactly is a internship and how do I go about getting one? I have an idea of what it is but still a little confused on what it is and what it can do for you.

I really appreciate any answers to my questions. Thanks for your time!

[Iowa #1603]

The responses won't change from here

http://forums.officer.com/t197633/

[PhilipCal]

Yes I realized I posted this in the wrong section so I would like to see some answers from here. Okay so I am in college going for a bachelors degree in business (Probably in accounting or finance.) So far, I am almost done getting my associates in business. So here are my top 5 questions I have on becoming a police officer.

1.) Should I apply to departments right now? Or after I get my associates? Or after my bachelors or what?

2.) What do you recommend for me to do in order to have a better chance of getting hired? Besides of course getting a bachelors degree. (Aka volunteer programs, ride alongs with police officers, recommendations from teachers etc)

3.) Will joining volunteer programs like a emergency management department give me an edge when applying? There is one by my house but you really have to devote your time for it and I work and go to school and really don't have time for something like that. But would it be worth doing? Does it really give you that extra edge?

4.) How exactly does it work when "applying" to become a police officer? You send a request to a department you wish to join or what? Or must you find an academy first or what exactly?

5.) Last but not least, what exactly is a internship and how do I go about getting one? I have an idea of what it is but still a little confused on what it is and what it can do for you.

I really appreciate any answers to my questions. Thanks for your time!

The answers aren't going to change.

[Aerohead]

To the OP: Did your mother have any kids that lived?

[jegs2]

Don't be above 40-years-old.

[CruiserClass]

Yes I realized I posted this in the wrong section so I would like to see some answers from here. Okay so I am in college going for a bachelors degree in business (Probably in accounting or finance.) So far, I am almost done getting my associates in business. So here are my top 5 questions I have on becoming a police officer.

1.) Should I apply to departments right now? Or after I get my associates? Or after my bachelors or what?

2.) What do you recommend for me to do in order to have a better chance of getting hired? Besides of course getting a bachelors degree. (Aka volunteer programs, ride alongs with police officers, recommendations from teachers etc)

3.) Will joining volunteer programs like a emergency management department give me an edge when applying? There is one by my house but you really have to devote your time for it and I work and go to school and really don't have time for something like that. But would it be worth doing? Does it really give you that extra edge?

4.) How exactly does it work when "applying" to become a police officer? You send a request to a department you wish to join or what? Or must you find an academy first or what exactly?

5.) Last but not least, what exactly is a internship and how do I go about getting one? I have an idea of what it is but still a little confused on what it is and what it can do for you.

I really appreciate any answers to my questions. Thanks for your time!

1) Why would anyone hire you now? What experience or skill do you bring to the table? If the answer is "none" then no. If you have language skills, maybe. If you have military, maybe.

2) Learn Spanish. Or ASL.

3) If you don't have time, who cares if it will help? If you can't do it, you can't do it.

4) Generally you look for who's hiring, put in an application, and go through a lengthy process.

5) Ask your campus student advisor. Internships are generally set up through an educational institution.

Bonus answer: Stop asking the same question in multiple forums.

[Zeitgeist]

Education is very important. I agree with Cruiser, a second or third language is a huge plus. Don't limit yourself to one specific dept. Talk to an advisor (as cruise suggested) regarding an internship. Good luck to you