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I am trying to gather some data.

What does it take to become a police officer in your country/state?

I am primarily interested in the US, but would also like to see numbers from other countries as well.
Let's all assume that there are some requirements regarding the applicants' educational level and criminal record.

The actual length of education in Denmark (my country) is as follows;

Country; Denmark
State: not applicable

33 weeks of basic training at the Police Academy
22 weeks as a trainee-officer in a precinct
22 weeks at the Police Academy
22 weeks as a trainee-officer in a precinct
33 weeks at the Police Academy (including an 11 week Bachelor project)

Total: 172 weeks of training

Please, keep the post on point.
"Just the facts, mam"

 djones520 wrote:
Your title really threw me off, then I saw the flag, so I won't ridicule you.

"How long does it take..." would be a better way to phrase the question.

As for your question, I think the math isn't adding up right. 3 years of training? I didn't spend that long in training to become a certified weather forecaster. Plus you say 33 weeks in the Police Academy, then 22, then 33 again. How many times do they have to go to the Academy?

Edit: I'll go look up Michigan's information.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Michigan Police programs seems to encompass 16 weeks of training in the basic law enforcement standards. I can't seem to find a public record of how long On the Job Training lasts.

You are absolutely right about the title.
I originally asked "What does it take....", but found that I wanted to focus more on the actual length instead.

Yes, it takes three years to become a Police Officer in Denmark.
I am sad to say that the website of the Danish Police Academy doesn't have an English version.
http://politiskolen.dk/uddannelsen/uddannelsesforloeb
(the word "Uger" means "Weeks" in Danish)

EDIT. Found one. https://www.politi.dk/en/About_the_police/admission/

Aspiring officers start at the academy, then spend time in a precinct with an experienced and specially educated training officer.
They then return to the academy for more training.
They then go back to the precinct for more hands-on training, and finally finish their education at the academy with a bachelor project.

Thank you for the stats.



...

 djones520 wrote:
That 16 weeks is after completing 2-4 year degree in Criminal Justice.

I far as I can tell having a degree in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement (or other related topics) is not required, but is considered a great plus upon application.

http://education-portal.com/requirements_to_become_a_police_officer.html

"Completing an associate or bachelor's degree program in criminal justice, law enforcement or a related discipline can be helpful in obtaining a job as a police officer. While not required by many departments, applicants may find formal education advantageous when vying for officer positions."

http://www.joinlapd.com/qualifications.html

"Education
Graduation from a U.S. high school, G.E.D. or equivalent from a U.S. institution, or a California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) certificate is required.

A two-year or a four-year college degree from an accredited U.S. or foreign institution may be substituted for the high school requirement."

http://www.nypdrecruit.com/faq/exam-employment

"On or before the day of hire, candidates must have successfully completed either:
Sixty (60) college credits with a 2.0 G.P.A. from an accredited college or university, or
Two (2) years of full-time, active military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge and have a high school's diploma or its equivalent."

I am well aware of the fact that standards differ based on the state.

 dementedwombat wrote:
Huh... I did not know that much training goes into being a police officer. I'm not sure what to think when you compare that to the fact that a 18 year old right out of high school can easily be in the military and considered completely trained within 6 months of talking to a recruiter.

Well, I am appalled how little training the average police officer in the US apparently gets.