Have you felt the call to duty, to aid in protecting your home and the citizens around you, while maintaining peaceful relations everywhere? If you have, perhaps you should consider joining your local police force. Before joining, there is information you need to read and become familiar with, involving the requirements, rules, and regulations. Although every state varies in their requirements, as do each city and county as well, there are many requirements that are similar from force to force.

The first requirement listed concerns the age limit. The average legal age to apply for a spot on the police force is 21 years old at the time of filling out the application. This enables the person applying to list their status as a legal adult. Following the age requirement is the education level that is acceptable for all applicants. The average education level required is at least a high school diploma. Some police departments require two years of college as well.

If the applicant has had higher schooling, that is considered a benefit and these applicants are more prone to procure the better job positions. You are required to be a US citizen to join any police force here in the United States and have either a birth certificate or legal proof of your citizenship, and must possess a current license to operate a motor vehicle. This license should be accident free, as well as insured. Background checks are of course, mandatory.

These are in depth checks, and have a tendency to go back as far as each state or city chooses to search. As an applicant, you should have no criminal record, and your reputation is researched as well. You must be a law abiding citizen currently and in the past. Your interaction with people and under circumstances is checked out as well. Included in this background check, is a financial check. The applicant must demonstrate both in the past and present, the ability to make appropriate decisions.

The applicant’s health is also a main consideration in whether or not they meet the minimum requirements for joining the police department. The heal section covers the applicants over all health, which must be excellent, their vision, height/weight, and hearing. A vision test is administered, and must be passed for the applicant to be considered for employment.

Along with health and vision, is the height and weight of the applicant. There are not many states that have a specific height/weight; however they do require your weight to fit your height and build. Your hearing must be excellent, to enable you to hear whispered conversations, to localize sounds, and to hear in noisy backgrounds. Once you have passed this first part of the requirements, you must undergo written tests and education, as well as pass physical tests, that cover your abilities, endurance, and your presence of mind under stress.

These are mainly written tests, but there are tests that follow, that take you through a rigorous action course. If you as the applicant, have made it this far, it would be a travesty indeed to give up just yet. Following being hired, you are required to undergo extensive physical, mental, and psychological training in a Police Academy. Because the job is stressful and demanding physically, passing the Police Academy with an above average rating is a definite plus for you and the position you hold.

There are certain benefits and perks packages offered to the new recruits and their families, as well as current officers. These are listed in most of the information packets you will receive once you have completed all the requirements and become a police officer. As an officer of the law, you will take on the responsibility of the safety of the people in the town or city you are employed by, and will be required to swear to uphold the law. This job is not one to be taken lightly; the lives of the citizens are quite literally in your hands.