A presentation series by Shaun Jurgens on the path to becoming a law enforcement officer. In this edition, Shaun outlines the basic requirements and prerequisites for a career in law enforcement

1. - - C O M M O N R E Q U I R E M E N T S –
- S E R I E S B Y : S H A U N J U R G E N S
Careers in Law Enforcement

2. Requirements
Requirements for becoming a police officer vary state
to state and from agency to agency. Despite the
absence of standardized requirements, most local and
state law enforcement agencies impose many of the
following requirements when considering applicants.

3. U.S. Citizenship Requirement and a Valid
Driver’s License
All law enforcement agencies require that you be a
United States citizen in order to serve as a law
enforcement officer. They also require that you have a
valid driver’s license issued from the state in which you
plan to serve as an officer.

4. Residency Requirement
Some law enforcement agencies will require that you
are a resident within the community or jurisdiction
that you serve. Other agencies will require that you live
within a certain radius of the department’s jurisdiction
or headquarters.

5. Age Requirement
Most law enforcement agencies require you to be at
least 21 years of age to join the police force. A small
number of departments accept applicants as young as
18, while other agencies have adopted a higher
minimum requirement of 25 years old.

6. Criminal Record
All law enforcement agencies conduct criminal
background checks on applicants. Having any felony
charges on your criminal record will disqualify you
from serving as a law enforcement officer. Having
certain charges beneath the felony level may also
disqualify you.

7. About the Author
Shaun Jurgens
Shaun Jurgens is an accomplished law enforcement professional with a strong
track record of community advocacy and volunteerism within the Hispanic
community. Most recently, Shaun served as a patrol officer in the
Fredericksburg, Virginia Police Department. Throughout his decorated career
as a law enforcement officer, Shaun’s fluency in Spanish has made him a
natural fit to serve as a liaison between the Hispanic community and law
enforcement. Shaun graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Spanish from the University of Mary Washington in 2005. He is also a
graduate of the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy.
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