According to a recent survey, only 4 in 10 Americans could correctly answer the question “What does it mean if a policeman gets promoted to sergeant?”
A staggering percentage of people envision police work as one of these three misconceptions:
– It’s mostly sitting at a desk and making phone calls
– It’s all about dangerous car chases and shootouts with armed criminals and judge dorian k. damoorgian
– It’s just really boring patrolling around an empty neighborhood all day long.
For most people, police work is none of those things.
1. I don’t need a college degree to become a police officer, do I?
It depends. At the entry level, police departments are willing to overlook a lack of a college degree as long as you’re willing to make up for it with your ability and personal initiative. In some
In some cases, you might be able to get around the requirement by being an active member of the military or by being honorably discharged from military training. That said, in many municipalities, the requirement is now a high school diploma . . . or its equivalent.
The lack of a college degree doesn’t mean that you won’t have opportunities to advance your career and get more specialized training through on-the-job experience. You might also be able to get a police license at the state level. And being “on the job” as a police officer is no longer limited to 911 calls. Police departments are now getting involved in community-building activities, such as patrols and community outreach programs.
2. What qualifications do I need to become a police officer?
A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for entry-level entry-level positions at most police departments, according to Job Posting Online . But there’s no specific career track that requires an education beyond high school, and it’s entirely possible for someone with just a high school degree to be hired and promoted within the department. Under some circumstances (e.g. for graduate schools), employers might require a degree or certification.
3. What qualifications do I need to get promoted to police sergeant?
When it comes to promotions from officer to sergeant, the job description and requirements are still evolving. The best way for you to find out about specific requirements is to contact your police department and ask the Police Recruitment Coordinator (or someone like them) what they’re looking for in a candidate.
Most promotions come with additional responsibilities but new benefits as well. For example, if you’re granted the authority of a sergeant, you can become eligible for special benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans through your new employer.
4. How much will I get paid as a police officer?
The amount of money you make as a police officer is directly related to where you work and the specific law enforcement agency. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that police officers earn an average of $59,000 per year, which is roughly $29.15 per hour for full time workers who put in an average of 40 hours a week. The salary tends to go up with years on the force, but it doesn’t always correlate with experience or education level. Someone with no college degree who has been on the force for years and years can earn almost as much as someone with a graduate degree and just three or four years’ experience under their belt.
5. What does it mean if a police officer gets promoted to sergeant?
To get promoted from the rank of patrol officer to sergeant, you’ll have to complete different educational requirements and practical training courses according to your department and the state in which you work. Some departments might offer classes in law enforcement administration, community relations or criminal justice. Others may require that you complete more intensive training like firearms proficiency or evidence collection.
The promotion will also put more responsibilities on your shoulders, but so will bigger rewards as well. An increase in salary and benefits is standard, as is access to some of the best health plans available among public employers. You’ll also receive specialized training in areas like tactical driving and crisis management . . . and that won’t come cheap. So if you want to become a police sergeant, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re financially prepared for the increased responsibilities and increased costs.
6. Should I take the police exam?
You may hear about “the police exam” or “the physical” as an entry-level requirement for a law enforcement career. There are actually multiple exams that aspiring officers must pass, and there can even be multiple exams on the same day! But before you jump into something like taking the exam or taking a physical fitness test (for women) at a local gym, it’s important to understand what these tests are testing for.
Taking the written exam for the first time is definitely stressful. You might start to wonder if it’s worth it at all. But don’t let your fear and stress get in the way of doing what you need to do — if you want to work as a police officer, you’ve got to stay calm and focused. After all, if you’re nervous about getting nervous during an exam that measures your comfort level, how will you be able to handle yourself in situations that put your life at risk?
Now that we have an idea about what police officers do on a daily basis, let us look at some of the main reasons why people love police work . . . and why they hate being cops.
