how old do you have to be to become a police officer

toyopl [OP]: Deal Addict; Dec 6, 2008; 2166 posts; 513 upvotes; Milton, Ontario

Nov 7th, 2011 7:12 am

How to become Police officer ?

I always wanted to become Police Officer however I never had the right moment to stop working and go to college for police foundation. Whether saving for the house, or upcoming wedding, or putting my wife through college, there was always something that made it hard for me drop everything and focus on police force. But I'm at a point where I would want to make career change and purse what always interested me.

I was working on a house for soon to be retired police officer and he told me that police foundation is a waste of money, and I shouldn't bother with it.
Anyone has any experience or anyone here an active police officer ?
I'm 28, 2 courses shy of having a high school diploma, construction worker that wants to make some changes in my life.

Nov 8th, 2011 12:39 am

turqrazor: Newbie; Jun 9, 2011; 70 posts; 13 upvotes

Nov 8th, 2011 12:39 am

toyopl wrote: ↑I always wanted to become Police Officer however I never had the right moment to stop working and go to college for police foundation. Whether saving for the house, or upcoming wedding, or putting my wife through college, there was always something that made it hard for me drop everything and focus on police force. But I'm at a point where I would want to make career change and purse what always interested me.

I was working on a house for soon to be retired police officer and he told me that police foundation is a waste of money, and I shouldn't bother with it.
Anyone has any experience or anyone here an active police officer ?
I'm 28, 2 courses shy of having a high school diploma, construction worker that wants to make some changes in my life.

First of all you can start by not enrolling in any police foundations courses. They are a waste of money and will get you nowhere as you mentioned. It's very difficult to become a cop in Ontario right now unless you are a woman or a minority, not trying to discourage you, that is just how it is.

If you still want to pursue it you will have to finish high school. They also like to see potential candidates have a university degree of anything but I guess that might not be an option at this point in your life. You should also start volunteering in the community because they like to see that very much. They are mostly looking to hire the 26+ year old people which puts you at an advantage over recent graduates. Your best bet is to start talking to people and find out who you have to meet to get hired. My friend finally got into the Hamilton police force after 3+ years of trying, he is a white male who is currently 29.

Nov 8th, 2011 2:41 am

jungeon: Banned; Jul 8, 2009; 4006 posts; 126 upvotes

Nov 8th, 2011 2:41 am

toyopl wrote: ↑I always wanted to become Police Officer however I never had the right moment to stop working and go to college for police foundation. Whether saving for the house, or upcoming wedding, or putting my wife through college, there was always something that made it hard for me drop everything and focus on police force. But I'm at a point where I would want to make career change and purse what always interested me.

I was working on a house for soon to be retired police officer and he told me that police foundation is a waste of money, and I shouldn't bother with it.
Anyone has any experience or anyone here an active police officer ?
I'm 28, 2 courses shy of having a high school diploma, construction worker that wants to make some changes in my life.

Take a pan, beat yourself in the head, repeat 100 times, ok you Are now dumb enough to become a police officer, congratualtions.

Nov 8th, 2011 3:07 am

umop: Deal Addict; Dec 11, 2007; 2419 posts; 177 upvotes

Nov 8th, 2011 3:07 am

jungeon wrote: ↑Take a pan, beat yourself in the head, repeat 100 times, ok you Are now dumb enough to become a police officer, congratualtions.

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/2ir9dmr.gif[/IMG]

Nov 8th, 2011 4:37 am

Stinger: Deal Addict; Oct 9, 2004; 1398 posts; 224 upvotes

Nov 8th, 2011 4:37 am

As mentioned, don't bother with police foundations - if anything go for business post secondary education or select social sciences (no that doesn't mean English lit). Mechanic is also an interesting avenue , viewed favorablely especially heavy duty and large truck with commercial vehicle units.
I would recommend trying to find a single "intro to policing / law enforcement " course however. Pay the 3 credits or what have you just to really learn about the intracacies of policing and most importantly the stress and dangers; not from criminals but the job conditions. It will take a toll on your health and your family life, you owe it to them to find out what you're getting into. It was a course like this that made me realize policing was NOT for me.
For instance I bet you won't hear the recruiters tell you the average retired "lifer" can expect only 6 years worth of pension after they retire... Because they're dead from job related illness/diseases/stressors. Or that there is a 75% divorce rate.

That aside
Policing is a much more competitive field than most think - its not an army posting recruit process. Most muni and provincial forces require 1-2 years post secondary as well as other exemplary characteristics.

The three quick tips I hear a lot about setting yourself apart when applying for the force

1) Volunteer - Any is good, but working with similar individuals as those you encounter is a policing career is "preferred". This doesn't mean aux cop, but homeless shelters, mental illness support, social services. Tbh a strong volunteer history is practically a requirement these days.

2) sports & active. Strong physical components to recruiting and healthy active lifestyle means you not only passes the POPAT or What ever the RCMP one is, but being part of a sports team is looked on favorably because I other life skills.

3) Clean Nose - that is to say no history of criminal activity or even a poor driving record. Kind of goes without saying

Also, it's not a quick process, expect a good 18 month process+
source: 4 years of studying criminal justice and more uniformed acquaintances/friends than I care for honestly

Nov 8th, 2011 7:13 am

toyopl [OP]: Deal Addict; Dec 6, 2008; 2166 posts; 513 upvotes; Milton, Ontario

Nov 8th, 2011 7:13 am

Thank you for few tips, I'm guessing it's not that easy, but I was expecting that it would be tough to be a candidate for such a serious position.

Nov 8th, 2011 8:38 am

dibksbgon: Deal Addict; Mar 27, 2011; 1281 posts; 91 upvotes; Nowhere

Nov 8th, 2011 8:38 am

Others pretty much sum it up.

Age wise you are fine. As others mentioned 25/26 and up is prefered but they still have people in their early 20s thinking they can join with no life experience/education/work experience. Education wise, they are now looking for university diplomas because the candidates they were getting with just Police Foundations all had the raw raw go cops I get to arrest people mentality. Unfortunately they still do but at least there is some resemblance of critical reasoning now. With just police foundations you wind up with very little understanding of the criminal justice system, the issues with in it, and critical thinking.

Volunteering and ride alongs are a biggie but even then everyone knows you have to do this to get considered.

There are dozens of people in my office who have been waiting years to get in. Some of them are on the young side but they have everything else and have done the testing for municipal, provincial and RCMP.

As others mentioned things to consider are the hours, the fact that for the first while you are on paperwork duty - in fact that is what a lot of a police officers job involve - the divorce rate, the mentality you get when you become a cop (often have it going into policing as policing does draw a certain type of people and is solidified by the group mentality cops have).

Nov 8th, 2011 9:11 pm

kodiaktfc: Member; Apr 11, 2010; 252 posts; 55 upvotes

Nov 8th, 2011 9:11 pm

1. Be fit
2. Go to university
3. Learn a language
4. Wait until your 25-30 years of age
5. Volunteer in your community
6. Network with a current officer
7. Apply to precincts outside main cities ala London Police rather than Toronto.