certifications?

[ezrollin]

Hi, its great to be here in such a wonderful friendly community!

What certifications would I need to become a regular city patrolman, if any?
I'm trying to learn my 10 code but dont have much else available to learn.
Any study guides out there? Or should I get a book?
thanks alot

[Captain America]

Whatcha easy rolling?

[jmur5074]

How old are you?
What state are you in?
What kind of criminal history do you have?
What kind of education do you have?
What kind of driving record do you have?
Are you a reserve/volunteer/explorer or have you done any of that in the past?



I'd recommend going to the introduction forum, and introduce yourself to the members here, and tell us a little bit about yourself.

Welcome to the site.

[Jks9199]

Each state has it's own requirements and procedures.

In Virginia, you generally (there are a very few "private" academies) have to be sponsored to an academy, successfully complete the basic academy course of instruction, then go through field training. You can see Virginia's training standards at the Department of Criminal Justice Services web site. The bare statutory minimums are: 18 years of age, a US citizen, high school diploma or GED, pass a background check, pass a physical exam, a driver's license (if you're going to drive), no plea of guilty or no contest to anything that would be a felony in Virginia, and no unexplained positive result on any pre-employment drug test, if given. Most agencies go quite a bit beyond the bare minimums... like usually 21 years old, and many require at least some college now, and will disqualify you for certain misdemeanors, too, and require a psych eval.

In other states, people generally attend a private academy on their own, then apply with the academy certification in hand. You then go through field training...

[deputysykes]

You joined 8 months ago and are only asking this now? Get busy learnin if you are serious about it. Spend time around your local PD and continue to dig. Surf around here and get involved in topics.

After you get hired by a Department you will go through the needed certs. Just spend time now learning the profession and deciding if it is definitely what you want to do.

[berserk]

Wouldn't bother learning radio codes, those are different at different departments.

Go to your local PD, ask about ride alongs, and ask about minimum hiring standards. Requirements vary by state, but they'll tell you what you need.

[matt86]

Wouldn't bother learning radio codes, those are different at different departments.

Go to your local PD, ask about ride alongs, and ask about minimum hiring standards. Requirements vary by state, but they'll tell you what you need.

This. Some departments also want you to go through their own academy, even if you're already certified to work in law enforcement in the state. Just make sure you do your research and do ride a longs if available.