Minimum Requirements

• Differences in the criteria required for admission depend upon the state in which a person seeks admission into a police academy. However, some commonalities exist among the states. Perspective candidates are required to take an admissions test. A candidate must be at least 20 years of age, although in some cases you must be 21 to actually enter the police force upon graduating from the police academy. In addition, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. Also, the candidate has to have a valid permanent driving license. He should have no record of conviction in a court of law and should have completed all the requirements for gaining admission.
  
  

Admissions Procedures

• The procedures for gaining entry into a police academy are generally stringent. You have to be successful at a multi-stage admissions process, which includes written exams, physical ability exams and an oral interview.
  
  

Educational Requirements

• You must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent of a GED. In some police academies, a four-year degree, as well as three years work experience is required.
  
  

Training in the Academy

• Although training requirements may vary from one state to another, training is generally gruelling. For instance, in Maryland, the recruit must live at the academy for 25 weeks, during which there will be military-type inspection everyday. During the 960-hour training session, a candidate learns to handle the most difficult emergencies. For two weeks, the candidate has to master the use of firearms, learn to be adept at self defense, learn to detect alcohol or drug-influenced driving and familiarize himself with handling the sick in times of medical emergencies. This is more or less the same for all states.
  
  

Careers

• A successful graduate from the police academy is eligible to perform a wide variety of jobs and responsibilities. Graduates of the police academy may perform the following functions among others: patrolling their respective districts, conducting investigations, responding to calls for service, pursuing and detaining suspects, writing reports and making arrests.
  
  Other duties and jobs include enforcing traffic and parking laws; participating in community policing programs; coordinating work with peers, superiors and others in the department; making preparations for and taking part in the academy's events; making preparations for and attending court in cases involving the academy; and taking part in the academy's self-development programs and activities.