To become a police officer in the US, you need at least a high school diploma, must usually be 21 or older, and must meet strict physical and personal qualifications. You then graduate from your agency's training academy and complete a period of on-the-job training. A felony conviction or drug use may disqualify you.
Requirements vary by department, and that's the first thing to check. Some federal agencies and police departments want college coursework or a degree, and BLS says many entry-level applicants already have some college.
Below are the steps, pay and outlook from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, read in October 2026.
Police and detectives in numbers
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay, police and detectives (May 2025) | $77,310 a year, $37.17 an hour |
| Median pay, police and sheriff's patrol officers | $76,210 |
| Median pay, detectives and criminal investigators | $93,790 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 824,200 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 3%, about as fast as average |
| Openings each year | About 60,100 on average |
| Work for government | 96% |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026. BLS adds that many agencies provide a uniform allowance, extensive benefits and the option to retire younger than the typical retirement age, and some pay more to bilingual officers or those with degrees.
How to become a police officer, step by step
- Get at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Consider college courses in law enforcement or criminal justice if your target department prefers them.
- Check the department's requirements: usually at least 21, US citizenship in most places (federal officers must be citizens), and strict physical and personal standards.
- Apply and go through selection. This can include physical exams of vision, hearing, strength and agility, written exams, interviews, and polygraph and drug tests.
- Graduate from the training academy.
- Complete on-the-job training with your agency.
- Finish your probationary period, after which officers usually become eligible for promotion.
What the academy covers
BLS says academy training includes classroom instruction in state and local laws, constitutional law, civil rights and police ethics. Recruits also get training and supervised experience in patrol, traffic control, firearm use, self-defense, first aid and emergency response. Federal agents usually train at the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, or at a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
The insight: you can start before you're 21
If you're under the minimum age, you don't have to wait on the sidelines. BLS says some departments run cadet programs for people who don't yet meet the age requirement. Cadets do clerical work and attend classes until they're old enough to apply to the regular force. Cadet candidates usually need to be at least 18, have a driver's license and meet physical standards, and military or police experience may help.
It's also worth knowing that most states and local jurisdictions require US citizenship, but BLS says some don't. Federal officers must be citizens.
Becoming a detective
Detectives typically start as police officers, because the role needs law enforcement experience. In large departments, officers may be promoted to detective or specialise, for example in work with juveniles. Federal agencies such as the FBI may require a bachelor's degree, and FBI special agent applicants need at least 2 years of full-time work experience, or 1 year plus a master's degree or higher.
What the job is like
BLS is direct about it: police work can be physically demanding, stressful and dangerous. Officers work at crime and accident scenes and see suffering and the results of violence, and patrol officers have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Most work full time, paid overtime is common, and shift work is needed to cover every hour. Many officers say helping their community makes it worthwhile.
Background checks are a big part of selection, so read up on how background checks work before you apply. For the interview panel, practise with these ChatGPT prompts for interview preparation.
Federal and specialist routes
Not every law enforcement job is a city police department. BLS also covers fish and game wardens, who typically need a bachelor's degree in a field such as wildlife science, biology or natural resources, and transit and railroad police. Federal agencies such as the FBI and U.S. Secret Service may need extensive travel at short notice, and U.S. Border Patrol may involve work outdoors in rugged terrain. Knowledge of a foreign language is an asset in many federal agencies and regions.
Promotion
Promotions to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain usually depend on written exam scores and on-the-job performance, BLS says. A bachelor's degree may be required for lieutenant or higher.
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My verdict
Policing is a career you can enter with a high school diploma, but the selection process is tough and personal history matters. Pick the department you want, read its exact requirements, get fit for the physical tests and keep a clean record. If you're under 21, look for a cadet program. And if you want to rise to lieutenant or detective later, start chipping away at a degree early.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to become a police officer?
Usually at least 21, according to BLS, though requirements vary. Some departments run cadet programs from 18.
Do you need a degree to be a police officer?
Not always. BLS says you need at least a high school diploma, though some federal agencies and police departments require college coursework or a degree.
How long is police academy?
It varies by agency. All recruits attend a training academy and then complete on-the-job training and a probationary period.
How much do police officers make?
BLS reports median pay of $76,210 a year for police and sheriff's patrol officers in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Can a felony stop you becoming a police officer?
Yes. BLS says a felony conviction or drug use may disqualify a candidate.
What is a police cadet program?
A program for people who don't yet meet the minimum age. BLS says cadets do clerical work and attend classes until they're old enough to apply to the regular force.
How do police officers get promoted?
Promotions to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain usually depend on written exam scores and on-the-job performance, and lieutenant or higher may need a bachelor's degree.
Do you need to be a US citizen to be a police officer?
Most states and local jurisdictions require it, but some don't. Federal officers must be US citizens.
