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States operate under civil service systems and select candidates accordingly. Candidates must pass a
competitive examination and obtain a qualifying rating on an interview conducted by senior police officers.
Each applicant must pass a comprehensive medical examination, which in some agencies includes
psychological and psychiatric evaluations to determine emotional stability and acceptability for police
work. Performance tests designed to gauge strength, agility, and stamina must be passed, and departmental
standards with regard to height, weight, and eyesight must also be met. Because good judgment and a sense
of responsibility are essential in police work, a thorough background investigation is conducted to assess
general character, past history, honesty, and general suitability for this work. As a rule, possession of a valid
driver's license is also required prior to employment by the police agency. Meeting the preceding
requirements is the typical way of beginning a police career. In some localities, however, young high school
graduates or law enforcement students in college can enter this field as police cadets or interns. These
individuals, hired as paid civilian employees of the police agency, perform nonenforcement duties and
attend classes to learn basic police skills. Those who successfully complete this type of program and meet
the basic entry requirements for Police Officer may be appointed to the regular force at age 21.
Newly hired Police Officers enter training on a probationary basis prior to being assigned to duty.
Programs vary widely with regard to length and content. In small departments, there is less formal
instruction and a greater degree of on-the-job training as a means of developing skills. In large police
agencies, formalized programs of instruction are the rule and may last from several weeks to six months,
depending on department policy and availability of training facilities. Newly hired officers receive
instruction in a variety of subjects including criminal law; motor vehicle codes; arrest, search, and seizure
procedures; constitutional law; civil rights, methods of patrol, surveillance, and communications; traffic
control; accident investigation; laws of evidence; crime prevention and criminal investigation proce-
dures; pursuit driving; armed and unarmed defense tactics; use of various types of firearms; physical
conditioning; crowd control; first aid; community relations; preparation of reports; court procedures; use
of legal warrants; police ethics; and departmental regulations. Some departments combine this formal
training with field experience to reinforce concepts learned in the classroom.
Following the completion of training, new officers are assigned to work under the supervision of an
experienced officer. The experienced officers with whom probationary officers are teamed provide them
with practical instruction and field experience and evaluate their work performance from time to time
during the probationary period. Probation may last from a year to 18 months, after which the new officer
becomes a permanent member of the force.
POLICE DETECTIVE
"Detective" is a promotional title in most police agencies; in some, however, this job is at the same grade
and salary level as a Police Officer. Regardless, the job of Detective has status within police circles, and
competition for openings is always keen. Opportunities for entry into the job vary, depending on the size
of the department.
Detectives in most local, county, and state police agencies are selected internally from the ranks of
Police Officers who meet specific requirements. The duties and varied problems encountered on patrol
are considered to provide a sound training ground for investigative work. The basic requirements for this
work usually include a minimum of three years' experience as a uniformed Police Officer, demonstrated
investigative talent, and in some agencies, the completion of a specified number of college credits. Police
executives sometimes assign Police Officers with demonstrated investigative skills to detective work
without a written examination. Others administer departmental examinations to aid in the selection
process; still others are required to use civil service examinations. The personal qualifications for this job
are hard to gauge, but most successful Detectives are energetic, patient, persistent, imaginative, and show
initiative. In addition, they are streetwise, able to reason logically, and able to retain information and
