The nine keys to preparing to become a police officer.

The nine keys to prepare to become a police officer can open up an exciting and fulfilling career for you.

Key One

Character Ethics. If you develop your character to the standards of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics you will condition your character to be strong enough for police work. In order to become a police officer you must pass an extensive background investigation. Only excellent moral ethics will allow you to pass the test.

Key Two

Mental Ability. You can prepare your mind for police work by improving your memory, your ability to make reasonable decisions, your ability to deduce, your ability to discern, and your ability to multitask. Begin early to think like a police officer.

Key Three

Physical Fitness. The physical requirements of law enforcement call upon strength, aerobic endurance, anaerobic capacity, flexibility, a healthy percentage of body fat, good nutrition, and sufficient rest. Commit to conditioning your body to be fit for duty.

Key Four

Truthful Communication. A police officer must develop excellent verbal and written communication skills. But above all, a police officer must be dedicated to communicating the truth and to seeking the truth in all circumstances so that justice can be done.

Key Five

Education. Police officers must be educated. The more education that you have, especially college education the better your chances of getting hired and the more money you make as a police officer. Police officers are always training to learn something new or to maintain a certain level of skill. A police officer never stops learning.

Key Six

Police Duties. Police officers must learn about criminal law in order to investigate law violations and to enforce those laws. Officers control traffic and promote traffic safety through traffic law enforcement. Officers promote the safety, health and livability of the community in which they work. Get a head start by learning about the duties of a police officer.

Key Seven

Serving a Community. In order for police officers to truly serve a community they must become both involved and invested in that community. They can do this by getting to know community members, community businesses, community groups and by volunteering in community organizations.

Key Eight

Career Building. You can prepare yourself now for the many different career options available for police officers. You can learn about the requirement to become a SWAT officer, a canine officer, a detective, a school resource officer and any number of other specialties. Prepare yourself for the assignment of your choice now so that you will qualify for it later.

Key Nine

A Plan. Develop a written plan now so that you can keep track of your preparation and progress. As a police officer you will be required to develop any number of written operation plans. Consider your written plan to prepare to become a police officer your operation plan for a career in law enforcement.

Note: This article was developed from Officer Robert Barlow’s manuscript, the law enforcement career guidebook, A Badge & A Gun: How to Prepare to Become a Police Officer.