How to Become a Police Officer in Connecticut

IMPORTANT:

Please visit the official webpage of the law enforcement agency that you are interested in working for as the information below may have changed.

If you’re interested in becoming a police officer in Connecticut, then you are on the right track. Connecticut police officers are required to attend a certified police academy.

The catch is you must be hired by the a city or county police department to be eligible to attend the police officer Basic Training.

In order to start a career in law enforcement in Connecticut, you must be a US citizen.

Requirements

The state requires that applicants be at least 21 years of age at the time of application. As for educational attainment, you should have at least graduated from high school. GEDs, college courses and completing at least 36 active military service are also accepted.

Felony convictions or Class A and B misdemeanor convictions are grounds for automatic disqualification. Drug and alcohol convictions, as well as driving violations, are also considered to be red flags and depending on the severity, can become grounds for disqualification. Other requirements include an active and valid driver’s license and passing the standard process for application to law enforcement.

Written Exam

This includes passing a written exam as stipulated by the department you choose to join. This is usually the standard POST exam given by the state board. It’s easy to review for, and many police departments have study guides available for free download on their websites. However, candidates may be selected just from the top scorers so getting a good grade is a must.

Interview

Evaluations for potential cadets also include oral or panel interviews, passing the required POST physical fitness exam, as well as the medical and psychological evaluations. This includes a drug and alcohol test. While the physical is grueling, many candidates find the psychological exam even more stressful.

All this is to ensure that a candidate is sufficiently sound of body and mind and able to fulfill his or her duties as a police officer.

Polygraph Exam

Another part of the process that may wreck your nerves is the mandatory polygraph exam. It’s usually used as a way to confirm information found during the obligatory background check.

Lying or falsifying application information results in automatic disqualification — so don’t be tempted to lie. If you’re found out, you’re booted out even before you can get a foot in.

Connecticut’s police standards are statewide, and regulated by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, under the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. This means that the standards given are considered to be the minimum requirement.

Every department, whether city or county, can still hire depending on their discretion. However, once you are hired, you will be sent to Basic Training. Completing that will set you on the path towards a wonderful career as a police officer in Connecticut.

CT State Trooper Selection Process:

The following elements may be used in the selection process, depending upon how far a
candidate advances:

1. Written Examination – multiple choice questions to assess ability to observe and
   remember details, to analyze facts and make decisions, to reason logically, and to
   understand and communicate written and oral instructions;
   
   
2. Physical Fitness Assessment – exercises to measure muscular strength,
   cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility;
   
   
3. Oral Examination – structured interview to assess observation, judgment
   and communication skills, as well as preparation to be a Trooper Trainee;
   
   
4. Polygraph Examination – inquiries concerning then use of illegal drugs, the physical
   abuse of other persons and other criminal activities, as well as employment and
   driving history;
   
   
5. Background Investigation – comprehensive review of employment, education,
   training, criminal, motor vehicle and credit histories;
   
   
6. Psychological Evaluation – combination of written examinations and an interview to
   assess suitability for employment in law enforcement;
   
   
7. Medical Evaluation – comprehensive physical examination, including drug
   screening.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates for the position of Trooper Trainee must:

1. Be at least 21 years of age by the expiration of the announced application period;
   

2. Be a United States citizen by the date of appointment;
   

3. Be in general good health and have sufficient strength, stamina and
   agility as required by duties of the position;
   

4. Possess a high school diploma or GED by the completion of training;

5. Be free from felony and Class A or B misdemeanor convictions;

6. Have a good educational and work record and excellent moral character;

7. Have normal hearing, normal color vision and depth perception, binocular
   vision, distance and near vision (with lenses) must be 20/30 each eye; and

8. Obtain a valid Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and
   establish residence in Connecticut before graduating from the Academy.

ACADEMY ENVIRONMENT

The Connecticut State Police is a paramilitary, highly structured organization whose operation is guided by policies, procedures, rules and regulations which must be strictly followed by its personnel. Whereas, twenty years ago, virtually everyone who entered law enforcement had previously served in the military, today it is less common for recruits to have been exposed to the discipline and structure which will be encountered in police training.

As a consequence, the need for order, compliance and control in the academy is essential. From the very moment a recruit reports, virtually every minute will be occupied with training. There is a great deal to be learned in a very short time. The objective of this rigorous schedule is not to deprive the individual of time to think, but rather to force the recruit to think fast, act quickly and decisively and to be prepared for
any eventuality. Unfortunately, stress is inherent in law enforcement.

Everyday Troopers are called upon to assume numerous stressful roles which might require one of the following:

• make immediate decisions based on training, experience and courage;
• handle a diversity of situations and problems while acting within the restraints of the law; and
• communicate with others patiently without outward display of temper and emotion.
  Within this context, academy environment refers to an atmosphere of pressure and
  urgency in a controlled setting that is specifically designed to replicate the type of stress
  and pressure experienced by troopers in the field. I

training requires recruits to utilize their physical and mental resources; in exchange, this training will build self-confidence, instill self-reliance, develop leadership ability, poise and self-control, improve reaction time and increase the likelihood of satisfactory performance under adverse, life threatening conditions.

ACADEMICS

All recruits are required to meet the academic standards promulgated by the Connecticut
State Police. The recruit curriculum is based on the knowledge, skills and other
characteristics deemed necessary for a new trooper to possess, particularly in preparing
for their first two years in the field. Evaluation of the recruit’s academy performance is
based on both written and practical exams and exercises.

All recruits will be required to earn a minimum score of 70% on all exams requiring a
numerical evaluation. All performance based assessments, whether written or experiential,
shall meet the minimal level of competency as established by the individual curriculum.

PHYSICAL FITNESS AND WELLNESS

Recruits will participate in a physical assessment during the first week of training. After
the initial assessment, recruits will be expected to improve their fitness level in a
progressive manner through participation in the Recruit Physical Fitness and Wellness
Program. Prior to graduation, each recruit will be required to have progressed to an
overall fitness level of “good. “

Physical fitness and wellness should be of extreme importance to the State Police Recruit. Recruits will find this to be true not only with respect to law enforcement activities, but because it will keep them fit for life.

A physically fit Trooper will have the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue and with ample energy and strength to meet the above
average physical demands encountered in emergency situations.

Physical fitness and wellness training involves various exercises to improve the following health related components: flexibility, strength, dynamic strength (muscle endurance), cardiovascular
endurance and body fat composition.