Police Departments Hiring in Texas

For those who are contemplating police careers, you may be wondering what experience is necessary to become a law enforcement officer. What follows will help to clarify that question.

To become a law enforcement officer at the entry-level with a local police department, you don’t need to have any experience in police work. Most people who enter the law enforcement academy as a recruit don’t have any work history in law enforcement.

Many of them have had some advanced coursework in criminal justice, which definitely helps in getting hired by a police force at the entry-level. Some departments even require a certificate or associate’s degree in criminal justice from police recruits, because this shows that they’re serious about a career in law enforcement.

It also gives them a leg up when it comes to completing the coursework required in the police academy. The bottom line is that if you want to become a law enforcement officer, higher education experience of any kind, but particularly in the field of criminal justice, will help you pursue this career choice.

Military Experience is Great, But it’s Not The End All Be All

Military experience will also help you to become a law enforcement officer because it shows potential employers that you have the grit and perseverance to take on a significant challenge, both on the physical and mental levels.

Recruiters know that you’ve already obtained some of the skills necessary for police work, such as discipline, chain of command, following protocols, weapons training, and obeying orders and this will put you at the top of the list over other recruited candidates.

Police academy training can be compared to military base camp, so if you’ve served in the armed forces, you’ll have a huge advantage over other recruits who haven’t. Perhaps more than any other type of work experience, military service will help you to become a law enforcement officer.

Junior Police Cadet or Explorer Program

If you’ve worked as a police cadet, this will help you become a law enforcement officer. Cadet programs are specifically set up for people who want to work in police careers, so this is a great asset to getting a job with a police force. Any other work experience in law enforcement will also help you gain entry into a career in police work.

Positive Work History

Any work experience that you have that exemplifies your competence and abilities will help you when it comes to achieving your goal to become a law enforcement officer. Police agencies want people who are self-disciplined, task-oriented, motivated, ethical, and hardworking, so whatever experience you have that demonstrates those qualities will help you when it comes to becoming a law enforcement officer.