Does my son have to go to the police academy after college before becoming a police officer?

Question

He will have his bachelors in Dec. Should he start applying for jobs or does he have to go to the police academy first?

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

I am unaware of any police jobs in the US that do not require some sort or training conducted as an academy.  So yes he does have to goto an academy

Answer 3

He can start applying for jobs. He can be hired before he completes an academy. Most larger police departments will hire a candidate and pay them while they are in their academy. Some smaller departments require that an applicant already have graduated from an academy. Simply visit the websites of the departments that he is interested in applying to. If they are larger departments, they will probably have detailed information about the minimum qualifications, how to apply, and the hiring process. If you want more information, just call the department, and ask for someone that can answer your questions. There are many jobs available for qualified applicants. There are many good jobs with smaller departments. However, there are usually more opportunities for advancement and for varied assignments in larger departments. Check out http://www.peaceofficerjobs.com for excellent information and advice for people interested in becoming police officers.

Answer 4

In order to become a police officer in any state, your son will have to attend the academy.  If your son applies and is hired by a large police agency, that police agency sponsors him through the academy.  The sponsorship pays for all costs of the academy except food and lodging if needed.  Basically the sponsorship says when he graduates he will be a full time police officer for that agency therefore we will pay for his training since he working for us.  In this case, he is actually hired by the agency and is full time employee. Prior to the academy.

The smaller the agency the more likely he may have to pay.  But small agencies are able to receive grant money for training.  It has been a long time since I heard of an agency not at least paying half of the training academy costs.

If your state allow, most don't, your son can attend that academy on his own money without a police sponsorship.  But that doesn't guarantee him a job in law enforcement.

Answer 5

yes, he must pass the academy then apply for a job.

Answer 6

Yes he would, normally. It depends on which department he is interested in and what their procedures are.  However tell him not to bother because if he needs his mother to find out these details for him he'll never make it in police work.  Let him find out on his own whatever it is he needs to know..  

Answer 7

He will eventually have to go to a police academy. If he applies and is hired onto a larger city, he will be sent to a police academy. If he wants to work for smaller departments, he will have to go through a police academy on his own.  

Answer 8

A degree does not train him to protect, defend and use common sense that may save his life or keep him from killing an innocent person. It'as a war zone on the highways out there. he needs more than book learning to be a good officer. I would be really determined that he does have this training if it were my son. sometimes the job he appollies for and gets hired for may pay or provide the training. I'm sure every jurisdiction is different. Good luck and yes, get him in that training....that is the real deal.  Miss Mary

Answer 9

I do believe he will have to go to the Academy.  Most require that.

Answer 10

Apply now and if he's selected, he goes to the academy where he is paid to learn.

Answer 11

Hey will need to attend and graduate from a police Academy.  If he gets a job with a larger department, they will send him.  Smaller Departments that don't have a big training budget look for applicants that have 'self sponsored' (ie self-paid) their academy.  

And even if he self sponsors and graduates, some larger departments will require him to redo the academy at their academy.

So it can't hurt for him to start applying now, as the process takes a while anyways.  Just make sure he finishes college.  He will need that Bachelor's degree for promotions.

Wish him luck for me.