Police Officer Training
Usually, candidates for police officer training must be U.S. citizens, at least 20 years of age, and meet physical qualifications. The appointment of police officer trainees to a position depends on their performance on written and physical examinations and experience. The physical examination often includes tests of vision, hearing, and strength.
Education Requirements—Entry-level positions as police officers usually require at least a high school-level education. Federal agencies generally require a college degree for special agent positions.
Training Providers—State, county and city police departments usually train recruits at their agency's police academy.
Training Program Components—Training programs may last 12-14 weeks and include:
- Classroom instruction in constitutional law and civil rights;
- State laws and local ordinances;
- Accident investigation;
- On-the-job training in the following skills:
- Patrolling
- Traffic control
- Use of firearms
- Self-defense
- First aid
- Handling emergencies
Training for Experienced Police Officers—Women who are experienced police officers and detectives can advance in their career by increasing their skills through advanced training at:
- Police department academies; and
- Federally and state training centers for public safety.
These training centers provide advanced training in:
- Defensive tactics
- Firearms
- Use-of-force policies
- Sensitivity and communications skills
- Crowd-control techniques
- Legal developments that affect their work
- Advances in law enforcement equipment
Many agencies may pay all or part of the tuition for officers to work toward degrees in criminal justice, police science, administration of justice, or public administration, and pay higher salaries to those who earn such a degree.
Required Equipment and Uniforms—Be sure to read Police Equipment & Uniforms Sized to Fit Women by Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science (Note: at the bottom of linked page).
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Special Agent Training
Education and Experience Requirements
- Special agent jobs with the U.S. Department of Treasury's Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms require a bachelor's degree or a minimum of three years' work experience that demonstrates the ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups, among other things.
- Special agent jobs with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) require a college degree and either one-year of experience conducting criminal investigations, one year of graduate school, or have achieved at least a 2.95 grade point average while in college.
- Special agent jobs with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) require a degree from an accredited law school, graduate work in accounting, or a bachelor's degree with either a fluency in a foreign language or three years of full-time work experience.
Training Providers—Each federal agency usually train recruits at their agency's training academy.
Training Program Components—All new special agents undergo 8-16 weeks of training and additional specialized training with their particular agencies or departments.
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Training Programs Near You
Police Officers and Detectives
Contact the following employers using the phone book and ask about their training programs.
- Local governments
- State, county and city police agencies
Special Agents and Detectives
