Education · 1 of 4

The path

The hiring process is the hard part, and it is long. Training comes after you are already employed.

1. 1

   High school diploma or equivalent

   Grade 12

   The legal minimum nearly everywhere. Keep your record clean from now on: the background investigation covers drugs, driving, debt, employment and social media.

2. 2

   Reach the minimum age

   0 to 3 years

   Most agencies hire at 21, a few at 20. If you finish high school at 18 you will likely wait, and college, military service or a dispatch job are the usual ways to fill it.

3. 3

   Apply and get through testing

   6 to 12 months

   Written examination, physical fitness test, oral board, background investigation, polygraph in some states, then medical and psychological screening. It takes months and most applicants do not finish it.

4. 4

   Academy

   About 6 months

   A state-certified academy, roughly six months in most states, covering law, firearms, driving, tactics, first aid and report writing. You are paid the whole time.

5. 5

   Field training

   4 to 12 months

   Several months riding with a training officer who evaluates you daily, then a probation period. Only after that are you on your own.