When it comes to advanced education, a college degree is necessary for career paths such as going into the FBI, DEA or working for Homeland security. This demands a 4 year college experience. It is recommended the major be in criminal justice or pre-law.

Further schooling requirements for becoming a police officer is going to police academy. This is also known as cop school. You will need to register at your state for a P.O.S.T. before applying or getting accepted to police academy.

During police academy, you will be tested on various strategies such as past drug and alcohol use, criminal records, physical fitness, mental fitness and overall health before you can graduate. You will take courses to help you overcome challenges and problems you meet in real life law enforcement. There will be classes in criminal justice that you might take.

Courses in criminal justice include but are not limited to criminal justice, humanities, ethics, police organization, administration, leadership development, analytic reasoning, and communications.

The qualities officers must have are common sense, respect and sense for and of their community, intelligence, mindful of their environment, the courage to make smart decisions when necessary and when to hold back and stay calm, be educated, stay grounded and be realistic about the career field they are in. For those inspired to pursue a career in criminal justice enforcement; the financial and job security are well in place. More importantly, the kickback and personal reward of helping people, saving lives, and keeping the community safe when stressful or dangerous situations arise.

First, ask for your department’s policy manual or ask your supervisor what the policies are for a law enforcement officer to carry his or her handgun. The tactical weapon you choose must fit in with the criteria in the department policy in order for you to have it.
Quality is always more important than quantity and if you ever have to remove your sidearm to use it, you want a brand named weapon that is responsive, will not jam and you feel comfortable with its size and power. While you are on duty, there may be times where it rains and you will get wet, or your guy is in a dirty environment, and you may even be in very cold places. All in all, your gun will be in very harsh places, getting knocked around and take a beating. You’ll need a gun that can handle all types of environments and terrains. Not every model or brand can handle this abuse so stick your money with a major manufacturer whose built a reputation on reliable tactical handguns.

When it comes to spending your money, it’s better off to spend a little more on a piece of weapon that will last you a long time and is a reliable winner. You’ll probably want to run out of purchase a weapon right away, but it’s almost always better off to do your research, pick and choose the correct one that meets your departments standards but also you feel comfortable with it.

What is double or single action?
There is a hammer on a pistol that has to be pulled back. This is the single action. When the hammer that’s been pulled back is released to go forward to shoot a round, this is the second action.
There are some handguns that only have a single action – like older model Colts. Other handguns such as ones in the Beretta family have the hammer forward. When you pull the trigger to shoot, the hammer has to be repulled before getting the fire is fired. Afterwards, the hammer is already back into its original position. This affects the shooting of the gun, since the first shot requires a pulling the trigger more, the remaining shots have less pull on the trigger. You have to remain cool and level headed to remember this concept since it may save or not save your own or someone else’s life.

Glock guns have an internal hammer system where the difference in pull is eliminated allowing for a consistent weight in trigger pull for each round that is fired. This is a point and shoot type of gun.
What is active safety and passive safety? An active safety is where you must disable a button before the gun will fire. Passive safeties are turned off automatically when you pull the trigger. Most law enforcement and police officers prefer the passive safety mechanism on sidearms.
Mounting rails for a flash light are very important when selecting a gun. The gun chosen needs to have mounting rails for a tactical flashlight – I can’t stress that more enough. I recommend not buying a gun without this feature since there will be times where you are in dark places or a light needs to shine on your suspect or a hurt victim.
The most common caliber are 9mm, .40 and .45 Choose a caliber that you feel most comfortable with and is most accurate. 9mm allows you to carry more rounds and there is not strong recoil, allowing more accurate shots repeatedly.
.40 has a higher velocity but has a higher recoil than the 9mm or .45. The rounds are less and the shots will be less accurate overall than the 9mm.

.45 is known for its stopping power and has less recoil than a .40. The rounds are also much larger than 9mm or .40′s.
These are the primary factors that a prospective shooter, law enforcement or police officer should consider when selecting their first gun. Go with a more expensive and reliable manufacturer. Buying a gun cheaper gun will waste your time and tend to jam more often causing more stress upon you and others.

Here are some companies that I recommend when selecting a firearm:
Beretta USA
Browning Firearms
Colt Firearms
Glock Firearms
Heckler & Koch
Ruger
Sig Sauer
Smith & Wesson

However, there is a cost and fees for each individual report.
Records, reports, fingerprinting and ID services fees:

Accident reports – About $6.00. You must provide the date, area of accident and names of the parties involved in the accident. You cannot obtain an accident report without providing the necessary information above. Additionally, if you have the case number for the accident and have that, it may be helpful to provide that.

Offense reports and incident reports – About 20 cents a page for the first 100 pages. You must supply the case number, date, area of offense or incident and names of the parties that are complainant.

Certified accident reports – An extra $2.00

Police surveys: Begin at $18.00 an hour and 20 cents per page. These surveys are crime stats or calls for police services in a certain place of the United States, intersection or block number.

You can request these surveys at your local police station or headquarters. There may be forms on your local police station or headquarters in which you can download or you can order one by submitting a request by mail.

Did you know that stun guns are not considered firearms. However, there are some states that do not allow you to carry them as a self defense weapon. You probably have questions on where can I get one or the questions below.

• Are stun guns or TASER devices legal?
• Can I carry them or put them in my car?
• Can I travel with it?
• Can I take it to Mexico or other countries?

First, exactly which states allow or do not allow personal use of stun guns?

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY and Puerto Rico

When you see the flashing blues and reds in your rear-view mirror – you are getting pulled over.

1.  Remove all negative attitudes and assumptions - Arguing, fighting or yelling at the officer will never get you out of a speeding ticket. It’ll only increase your chances of the cop getting pissed off enough to write you a ticket and send you off.
2. Turn everything off – your car, the lights exterior and interior, radio, and phone needs to be off. Put your hands on your steering wheel at 10 and 2 o’clock, take off any hat or sunglasses to show respect and you mean no harm to the officer. Remove your keys from the ignition and place them on the dash board.
3. Never get out of your car - If you get out of your car, the officer may feel that you are threatening him if you approach him or her. Never approach an officer if you get out of your car. Remain calmly inside your vehicle. Getting out of your car is putting you at risk in getting shocked by a taser, pepper sprayed or even shot. Never get out of your car, unless the officer instructs you to do so.
4. Be respectful and courteous – complete every task the nice police officer who is holding a baton, gun and pepper spray says. Don’t disobey and decide to open up your glove compartment when he asks you to do something else.
5. Plead your heart out - After you have gone over initial questions and basic strategies with the officer and developed a small case, ask for a pardon. Be sincere, honest and let the officer know that a ticket is a big deal to you because you are paying off a loan, mortage, student loans or college loans. Do not be naggy, just simply speak calmly and ask him for a warning.
6. Ask to see the radar speed gun after he tells you how fast you were going.Many states require that the officer allow you to see the radar. Don’t press the envelope if the officer says no. You can fight this in the courtroom saying the officer refused to let you defend yourself by seeing the radar for false accusations. Ask the officer politely and courteously. ”When was the last time your radar gun was calibrated?” or “Where were you when you clocked my driving speed?” or “Were you driving or parked when you clocked my speed?” Do not ask these questions with an attitude tone or sarcastically. All that does is anger the officer and want to fight you harder and slam you with a ticket.
7. If he decides to give a ticket - drive away slowly like a nice person where the officer will not want to remember who you are and that you did not add anymore stress to his day. Go home and jot down all that happened, your clocked speed, the weather and traffic conditions, and prepare a case to present when you go to court. Create a power point slide on your laptop or posters – this will show the judge that you are over-prepared to defend yourself that you are innocent.
8. Call the officer at his work - Politely acknowledge that the officers time is valuable and you just want schedule an appointment to meet with the officer to talk to him or her about the ticket that you recently received. Ask the officer that you could treat him or her to a coffee to discuss the ticket. Don’t jump to asking him to let you off getting the ticket. Be friendly, joke around, and act as if you have been friends for years. Slowly poke into questions about what happened the day when you received the ticket. Come up with a follow up story from the initial one you told the officer. Don’t change your story!
9.  Write a friendly thank you and plea letter to the officer – If you don’t meet or have met with the officer, writing a plea letter doesn’t hurt. Be genuine, respectful and thank him for his time. Don’t lie in your story, just make it dramatic, heartfelt and honest. Tell the officer, you take the ticket very seriously and that you are not a wreckless driver or an endangerment to others.
10. Call and write letters - to the judge and prosecutor working on your case. If you feel that the officer is ignoring you and just wants to slap a ticket on you and be done with it – there are higher authorities that can write off the ticket. Keep up with the judge and prosecutor with phone calls and letters. Attend your court hearing and present your case honestly and genuinely with facts to prove why you were speeding or why you committed a traffic violation.

The main concern is your safety and presenting yourself as an innocent person to the police officer with respect and free of harsh attitude or fresh language. These approaches are not foolproof or professional legal advice – just a compilation of different methods that have worked in the past for others and myself to avoid getting a ticket.

We are not advocating that you should break a traffic violation but if you have, this is exactly how you should react when you have been pulled over in order to convince the officer that you are innocent.

• Remain calm and take some deep breaths before the officer approaches your window.
• Try to remember how fast you were going or what your actions were in the last 5-10 minutes before you were pulled over – this will help create an elaborate, truthful and convincing story to defend your claim.
• If you are wearing glasses, keep them on – you could get a fine for not wearing your glasses while driving.
• Get all the necessary identifications ready before he asks you to show them to him – this will show the officer you are prepared and a trustworthy person.
• Do not do anything suspicious such as take out a cellphone to make a phone call or write a text message, fidget around looking for something (This may alarm the officer in that you may be trying to take off or look for a weapon such as a knife or a sidearm).
• Place your license and car registration on the dashboard along with both your hands on the steering wheel.
• Before the officer asks you for your identification, ask him why he pulled you over, ask him or her how their day was and smile politely.
• Try to lighten the situation by making a joke about your naggy mother-in-law, wife, hyper-active children or how your boss keeps making you work on the weekends.
• Tell the officer how much you respect law enforcement, police officers and the criminal justice system in how officers like him or her keep your family, friends and the community safe.
• Slowly without speaking too fast and calmly state your claim and tell your story why you were speeding or how you missed that traffic violation.
• Ask him or her to receive a warning and explain that you have a clean driving record and you have never been into an accident – tell the officer that this is a one time thing and that you are a good driver.
• Ask him to check your speeding or traffic violations record to boost your points in getting out of a traffic violation ticket.
• Don’t beg, cry or be naggy.
• Don’t shout, yell, curse, or give the officer the middle finger.
• If you get out of the violation with a warning – thank the officer and tell him to have a nice day.

Talking on your cell phone is a common act, especially when you’re driving. Almost everyone has to use the cellular device to run errands, catch up with friends, keep contact with family or going to a job site. What the bad thing is that texting while driving is dangerous. Be careful since every state in America is now cracking down to put a stop to dangerous texting while you’re driving driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 10 million drivers in the U.S. are using cell phones while driving!

Driving is a privilege, not a right, don’t abuse it. If you must use your cell phone or send out an emergency text message. Do it at a stop signal or just pull over into a rest stop or an emergency lane. Not paying attention and keeping your eyes glued to the road accounts for 25% of all accidents.

Are cell phones are to blame? Yes cell phones are a contributing factor to the issue. But it’s more that people are abusing the use of cell phones. Research studies show that the act of dialing in a number, entering in a text message or picking up the device distracts drivers, leading to increased accident rates on the road and highways. Additionally, some studies show that the act of having a conversation is to blame – especially if it’s a heated argument or it is emotionally charged.

What’s worse is that more and more drivers are talking on cell phones, texting, styling their make-up or hair, eating, drinking and changing the radio station simultaneously. This makes it more likely for you to get into an accident.

What can you do to prevent yourself from doing this and getting into trouble with law enforcement?

• Get a hands free device (Bluetooth headset). Research has found that by using a hands-free device, drivers are spending less time handling the device such as dialing or picking up the cell phone. Even though this will not completely eliminate the distractions, it will certainly make the trip safer for others and yourself.

In regards to the matter of cell phone use while driving, laws are now starting to be created to ban cell phone use while driving; especially texting while driving. Exceptions to the laws are for emergency calls to police, the fire department, medical responders such as EMT’s and paramedics.

Which states have started to ban cell phone or texting while driving?

• State Bans: Seven states have enacted the laws to enforce banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving: California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington (as well as Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands). That means that police officers can pull you over for using a handheld cell phone without any other reason for the traffic stop. If you continue and abuse your driving privileges and use your cell phone device fore-after you have been warned again and again, your cell phone can be taken from you by law and be held in custody by the police department. It is your duty to speak to the department or write a letter to get your cell phone back.

• Texting: Twenty-nine states, Washington D.C., and Guam have banned text messaging for all drivers. In most of these states, you can be pulled over and written down for texting as breaking the law. Your ticket can range from a warning to up to $500.

Safety tips on making a phone call while driving: Whether or not your state enforces cell phone usage while driving all drivers need to be cautious when using cell phones while driving.

• When possible, make calls when your car is not moving.
• Do not make calls in heavy traffic or bad weather.
• Program frequently called numbers into your phone’s memory. Set emergency contacts on speed dial such as holding down the “1, 2, 3, 4 or 5″. The less time spent distracted on the act of pressing in numbers, the safer it is for others on the road and yourself.
• Keep your phone where it is easy for you to reach and grab.
• Do not ever take notes, write messages, or look up phone numbers while driving. If absolutely must have to do any of these things, pull over and continue your tasks.
• When pulling over to make calls or take notes, avoid dangerous areas, check your rear-view mirror for oncoming traffic and lock car doors.
• If someone is with you, ask a passenger to make or take a call or write a text message for you.
• Keep conversations short and avoid discussing emotional topics.
• If you must dial while driving, hold the phone at eye level so you can keep your attention on the road.
  

Even if you stay in the field which may place you in harm’s way, keep in mind that a career in law enforcement is always changing. You may be promoted or asked to be relocated to a different place or a less stressful environment. Also, speak to your supervisor about what kind of job placement you’d like to be in.

If you like being out in the field, pursue something in the detective, investigations, patrolling, drug enforcement unit. Get more information about being an agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigations.


Things to keep in mind if you are in the field:

• Always keep a level-headed and stay calm – at all times.

• Keep things in perspective – don’t assume, jump to conclusions or be trigger happy. This will only place your peers, fellow citizens and yourself in greater levels of risk of getting hurt.
• Remember all the training and education you received at your training academy. Practice and read the instructions, manuals and training you got.
• Stay active outside the job by playing sports, take part in community events and look for hobbies that take the stress out of the job. Law enforcement can be very stressful and stress is a killer – look for things that help you release the tension when you get out of work.
• You must not worry, you’ll be trained by the top law enforcement or police academy instructors in the field. Not only that, you’ll be physically trained, fit and active enough to defend yourself and your peers.

For those who are interested in a career in Law Enforcement, but would rather not be in the field and stay in a more relaxed environment can give just as much as those in the field. Law Enforcement is not all about car chases, arresting criminals or preventing drug transactions. Most of those things are apart of Law Enforcement, but the key thing is the keep the peace. Keeping the peace means, serving and protecting the community you took an oath for.

Non stressful or dangerous Law Enforcement positions:

• Become a Police or Law Enforcement Dispatcher.
• Work in the Crime/Investigations/Criminology laboratory.
• Investigate as a Crime Scene Investigator and DNA analyst to to condemn or prove those who are innocent or guilty in court.
• Ask to work in the reporting or in a cubicle of your department of agency.

Some questions to ask yourself before your start on your journey to a rewarding career.

• What are the skills you have now?

• Are you technologically sound and understand how to use the computer?

Technology plays a humongous role these days when it comes to law enforcement. In order to fight crime and pursue investigations. It’s a good thing to be technologically savvy. It will make you stand out from the crowd if you have sharp computer skills and it doesn’t hurt if you’re a quick learner.

• What sports do you currently play? Do you have any hobbies and are they associated with physical exercise?

This is very crucial in preparing for your police or law enforcement physical fitness training test. If you currently play sports or have hobbies that are physically active – by all means continue doing them!

• How much educational training have you received? Do you hold a high school diploma, certificates from a community college or attain a college degree?

Having a strong foundation in education will already prepare you for certification and training tests that you’ll receive at your training academy. Skills such as English and Spanish – being multilingual is continuing to be more and more important in the modern times. Having skills in writing, effective communication, analysis, and problem solving are what employers in agencies and departments look for.
Knowing multiple languages are very important these days in the law enforcement realm since the population of different cultural groups are continuing migrate to the United States.
The Hispanic population is expected to increase in the coming years; it’s crucial that you can communicate to people of all races. Although it’s not required, it will certainly help you land a job as a law enforcement officer and effectively solve problems quickly without having to call a translator. Being an effective communicator and having the ability to influence others will not only help you but others around you. If there is ever a situation where a person is being held up, a robbery or a kidnapping – you might just save someone’s life to know how to speak an additional language. Safe negotiations will have to be used in order to keep the situation at ease and resolve the manner without putting yourself and others in harms way.

• Have you taken a martial arts class or know any self-defense techniques?

This will be one of the first questions your interviewer will ask you when you apply for a law enforcement position. On a day-to-day basis, you may run into a situation which may get physical and even violent; knowing how to defend yourself and others can save your own neck and other people’s as well. In order for you to bring order and keep the peace, you will need to be able to restrain someone who is out of control and arrest them without causing more damage. Strength training and being in shape is very important since you may need to overpower someone who has committed a crime or catch them if they decide to flee.

• How are you driving skills?

Occasionally, but not always is that you will be on patrol and not in your vehicle. where you’ll be involved in a high-speed chase. Your goal is to reduce as much damage caused to the environment, the city and businesses around you while maintaining pursuit and capturing the runaway suspect. Your abilities and skills to drive are an absolute must-have trait. Avoiding pedestrians, obstacles, setting up road-blocks or calling in road-blocks or spike strips are skills law enforcement agencies look for.

Enforcing the law is not all that you do. Your duty is to protect and serve – helping others and yourself stay safe. Becoming a law enforcement officer allows you to participate in community events while keeping your fellow citizens safe and enjoying the good time.

The common law enforcement careers and jobs you can land are becoming a patrol officer, police detective, state trooper, corrections officer, probation officer, and a law enforcement officer. Careers which require a college education are becoming an FBI, Secret Service, Border Patrol and Customs agent.

Benefits:

• One of the best things about a career in law enforcement is that you can retire at half-pay after a service of 20 years. This means that you can retire early, allowing you to still receive a steady income while being able to pursue another career path.
• On-the-job training.
• Steady increase in yearly salaries.
• Excellent benefits.
• Promotions and career advancement opportunities.
• Be recognized as a hero in your local community.
• Great retirement plan and high pensions.
• You’ll be trained by the top level and certified law or police enforcement instructors.
• Be in better or the best shape of your life.
• Become a respected member of your community and receive praises from fellow citizens and business owners.
• Involved in a job and career that builds upon dedication, salary, benefits and self rewards day after day.
• Get a better sense of yourself, others, and your community.
• Teach others such as elementary, middle and high schools about the dangers and dangerous effects of drugs and alcohol.
• Be able to work high paying overtime for sporting or community events while protecting people who are enjoying the shows.

The disadvantages of becoming a law enforcement officer are:

• May encounter a dangerous situation.
• High stress environments.
• Emotional demands.
• Training requires being shot with a taser and  hit with pepper spray.
• Dangerous high-speed chases.
• Investigating suspicious activities.
• May encounter assaults, shootings, falls, accidental discharges of guns.
• Possibility of death or being shot at by a suspect or criminal.