Almost all police departments require that you must be a US citizen. You should not have been convicted for felony. You must be eligible to have a driver's license and must be of 21 years old. You must meet weight and eyesight requirements. You must be prepared for extensive background checks, polygraph test, drug tests, review of education, driving records, credit checks and employment history.
You must have high school education and/or continuing education in business math/accounting, computer applications and behavioral sciences.
It is very important to maintain your physical fitness. Participation in high school sports while contributing to your athletic development will boost the chances of your application to the police department getting accepted. This will help you clear the physical fitness exam. Physical exam, however, includes tests of vision, hearing, strength and agility. Besides, two years in the armed services will give you excellent mental and physical conditioning for police work.
Remember that youthful indiscretions surely and quickly short-circuit a career in law enforcement.
You have to take the civil service exam for police officers. You can get the information on the exam through your local police department.
Preparation for the police written test may look daunting, but in reality you must keep in mind only one thing - the mindset of a police officer. Thinking like a police officer is not simple, yet the elements that make up a police officer's mindset are simple, straight forward, and support effective, correct action and decisions in situational dilemmas. Preparing yourself to view situational questions with the mindset of a police officer needs solid analytical skills.