Police Officers

Check out Discover Policing (https://www.discoverpolicing.org), a resource from the International Association of Chiefs of Police that discusses the types of police jobs and law enforcement agencies, the hiring process and police academy training, key skills for success, and exploration programs for teens. It also features stories from current and former police officers and detectives, who discuss their careers.

Visit law enforcement museums to learn more about the field. Here are a few to visit, and be sure to also check out their Web sites:

• National Law Enforcement Museum (Washington, D.C.): https://nleomf.org/museum/
• American Police Hall of Fame and Museum (Titusville, Fla.:): https://aphf.org
• Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center (Whitinsville): https://www.mspmlc.org
• Vancouver Police Museum and Archives (Vancouver, B.C. Canada): https://www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca

Another good way to explore police work is to talk with various law enforcement officers. Most departments have community outreach programs and many have recruiting programs as well. You may also wish to visit colleges offering programs in police work or write for information on their training programs.

In some cases, high school graduates can explore this occupation by seeking employment as police cadets in large city police departments. These cadets are paid employees who work part time in clerical and other duties. They attend training courses in police science on a part-time basis. When you reach the age of 21, you will be eligible to apply for regular police work. Some police departments also hire college students as interns.