As a child, my dream was to become a police officer and be acknowledged as a hero for protecting my community. Nevertheless, it is essential to understand that taking on this heroic role involves adhering to certain procedures and necessary precautions in order to effectively serve the public. In order to pursue a career in Law Enforcement, one must apply to an agency, attend police academy, and actively seek job opportunities.
In order to join the police force, there are specific educational requirements and qualifying tests that individuals must meet. These tests evaluate skills such as reading comprehension, memory retention, decision-making, and writing ability (source: www.discoverpolicing.org 1). The minimum qualifications for this profession include either a high school diploma or an associate’s degree. However, bachelor’s degrees are typically required for federal law enforcement positions. Many students majoring in criminal justice choose careers in law enforcement to gain knowledge about the legal system and principles of justice. It is also recommended that students acquire proficiency in a foreign language to better serve diverse communities (source: www.collegequest.com 1).
Being bilingual in Los Angeles, a city known for its diverse ethnicities including White, African American, and Latino communities, can be advantageous due to the presence of many residents who do not speak English. One effective way to become a police officer in this multicultural environment is by pursuing a criminal justice degree. It’s worth mentioning that some police agencies may also consider candidates with degrees in other fields. Before being admitted into the police academy, all applicants must undergo a “psychology examination” (source: www.discoverpolicing.org 1).
The exam’s purpose, per a source from www.education-portal.com 1, is to assess recruits’ reliability and mental state while ensuring motorcycle patrol units do not become too large or heavy for chasing suspects on the streets. Although bicycles are agile in different areas, they differ from motorcycles.
The criminal intelligence unit is responsible for maintaining records of both international and national criminals or felons. Additionally, the missing persons unit oversees a database containing information about individuals who have disappeared. Typically, most missing persons are away for 1 to 3 days, as these disappearances often relate to personal difficulties that individuals feel overwhelmed by.
According to the source from www.dci.sd.gov/Operations/IntelligenceUnit.aspx, if you decide to vanish and the authorities search for you, it is not considered a crime as you simply aimed to escape from your personal problems. The police patrolling in vehicles can be either one officer (Adam Unit) or two officers together (Lincoln Unit).
