Becoming a Police Officer in Athens, Georgia
The Athens Police Department is located only 65-miles north of the largest metropolitan area in the state of Georgia. This college town – which is the fifth-largest city in the state – offers a variety of opportunities for potential police officers.
In order to be eligible for Athens police jobs, you must first complete a series of steps as part of the hiring and training process. Becoming a police officer in Athens requires that you do the following:
- Step 1. Requirements and Application
- Step 2. Physical Fitness Test
- Step 3. Written Examination
- Step 4. Board Interview
- Step 5. Medical and Psychological Exams
- Step 6. Academy Training
Step 1. Requirements and Application
Before applying for available police officer jobs in Athens, there are a set of requirements and qualifications you must meet before being considered by the Savannah Police Department.
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must have graduated high school or have equivalent
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must have no felony convictions
If you meet the above qualifications and requirements, then you can complete an application with the police department.
Step 2. Physical Fitness Test
Once the job application is completed, it will be reviewed by the Athens Police Department. When considering how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Athens, the next step will be a physical fitness test. The test involves an obstacle course, a vertical jump test, a 1.5 mile run, push-ups, sit-ups and a 300 meter run.
Step 3. Written Examination
The written examination will test your knowledge of local, state and federal laws, as well as the basic procedures needed in order to perform the job properly.
Step 4. Board Interview
Upon completion of all the above steps, you will take part in a board interview with a host of representatives from the Athens Police Department. The interview will focus on all the information obtained up to this point in the hiring process, as well as the special skills and qualifications that you may have that have not been represented in the process so far.
Step 5. Medical and Psychological Exams
The medical and psychological examinations will determine if you are physically and mentally ready to be a sworn police officer with the department in Athens, Georgia. There will also be a drug screen and a polygraph test administered during this step of the process before moving onto the training phase.
Step 6. Academy Training
The academy training portion will ensure that you learn all the skills necessary for the job. The most important part is that you receive your Police Officer Standard Training (P.O.S.T) certification. Once the certification is obtained, you will take part in field training with the Athens Police Department and become a full-time sworn officer for the department.
Becoming a Police Officer in Atlanta, Georgia
As the largest city in the state of Georgia, and the largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States, Atlanta is home to one of the most distinguished police department’s in the country. With more than 2,000 sworn police officers, the Atlanta Police Department makes the safety and security of Atlanta’s citizens priority one.
When it comes to eligibility for Atlanta police jobs, there are a series of steps you will have to complete in the recruiting, hiring and training processes.
Becoming a police officer in Atlanta requires completing these seven steps:
- Step 1. Review Basic Qualifications and Complete Application
- Step 2. Interview
- Step 3. Background Investigation
- Step 4. Pre-employment Medical and Psychological Exam
- Step 5. Physical Agility Exam
- Step 6. Final Review
- Step 7. Training
Step 1. Review Basic Qualifications and Complete Application
The first thing you will do when applying for a job with the Atlanta Police Department is review the basic qualifications for the job. The basic qualifications are as follows:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be in good physical condition and of good moral stature
- Must not have any felony convictions or certain misdemeanors that involve aggressive and immoral behavior
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must have a valid driver’s license from Georgia
If you meet all of the basic qualifications and requirements, you can then complete an application with the department. The application will ask you about your history (medical, personal, employment, education, financial, etc.) as well as any skills, training and qualifications that you have and are applicable to the position.
Step 2. Interview
Once the application is finished, your application will be reviewed by a representative from the Atlanta, Georgia Police Department. If they feel you are a good candidate for the position, you will be contacted and asked to schedule an interview and a medical and psychological examination. The interview will focus on the information provided in the application and will elaborate on the information provided in it.
Step 3. Background Investigation
The background investigation is the next step in the process. When it comes to how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Atlanta, the next step will involve checking your background to make sure there are no discrepancies in the information obtained about you so far. The background information looks into the following areas:
- Criminal history
- Financial and credit history
- Driving record
- Education history
- Rental history
- Citizenship status
If anything is found to be falsified, then you will be automatically disqualified from continuing on in the recruitment process.
Step 4. Pre-employment Medical and Psychological Exam
Next, you will be offered a conditional job offer. The conditions involve completing the next steps in the process, including a medical and psychological exam. These exams are meant to ensure that you are mentally and physically able to perform the duties of an Atlanta police officer.
Step 5. Physical Agility Exam
The physical agility exam requires that you perform 20 push-ups in one minute, 25 sit=ps in one minute and 12” step in five minutes.
Step 6. Final Review
Upon passing the physical, medical and psychological examinations, the Atlanta Police Chief will review your information and application and make a final decision on whether or not you are fit to enter the training academy. If you are chosen, you will then be enrolled in the training academy and become an official employee of the Atlanta Police Department.
Step 7. Training
The police academy will last approximately 21 weeks and will teach you all the basic skills you will need as a sworn police officer. Upon completion of the training academy, you will also be required to spend 12 weeks doing field training with the Atlanta Police Department.
Becoming a Police Officer in Augusta, Georgia
With a population near 200,000, the city of Augusta is the second largest in the state of Georgia. The growing population has increased the demand placed on the Augusta Police Department, so there continues to be career opportunities for interested job candidates.
In Augusta, police jobs are available to candidates that meet the department’s stringent police officer requirements:
- Step 1. Review Basic Requirements and Complete an Application
- Step 2. Application Review and Interview
- Step 3. Background Check
- Step 4. Physical Agility Exam
- Step 5. Board Interview and Job Offer
- Step 6. Medical and Psychological Examination
- Step 7. Academy Enrollment and Training
Step 1. Review Basic Requirements and Complete an Application
The first step in the process is to review the basic requirements in order to determine whether you qualify for the initial aspects of the job. Becoming a police officer in Augusta requires the following:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must have no felonies, certain misdemeanors or domestic violence charges
- Must be of good moral character and in good physical condition
- Must have a valid Georgia or South Carolina drivers license
If you meet the basic requirements, you can then fill out a job application. The job application will detail all of your background information and the skills, training and qualifications you have to work for the Augusta Police Department.
Step 2. Application Review and Interview
A representative from the Augusta Police Department will then review your application and determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the position. If they feel you are, you will be contacted and an interview will be scheduled. The interview will go through your information on the application and will seek to elaborate on your experience and unique skills and abilities.
Step 3. Background Check
The background check will focus on credit history, employment history, educational experience, rental history and a host of other information. If the background investigation turns up any discrepancies with the information on your application, then you will be asked about it. If any information is found to be falsified then you will be automatically disqualified from continuing on in the process.
Step 4. Physical Agility Exam
The physical agility exam will require you to perform various physical tests in an allotted amount of time. The test will include a running portion, sit-ups, push-ups, lifting and climbing. The test will determine if you have the strength, endurance, stamina and agility to meet the physical demands of the job as a police officer with the Augusta Police Department.
Step 5. Board Interview and Job Offer
Next, you will be subjected to an interview with a board of members from the police department. The interview will review all of the information obtained through the process so far. During this time you will also be given a drug screen and a polygraph test. If you pass the interview and the tests, then you will be offered a conditional job offer.
Step 6. Medical and Psychological Examination
The condition job offer requires that you complete and pass a medical and psychological examination before enrolling in the training academy. The medical and psychological exams are meant to ensure that you can put up with the physical and mental stressors that come with the job.
Step 7. Academy Enrollment and Training
Academy training will last 10 weeks and will focus on basic training, like firearm handling, arrest procedures, testifying in court and performing vehicle stops, searches and seizures, among many other things. After completing training at the academy, you will be required to perform an additional three weeks of field training with the Augusta, Georgia Police Department.
Becoming a Police Officer in Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is the third largest city in Georgia and is home to one of the state’s largest universities. With the hustle and bustle of the college nightlife scene and the large metropolitan area, the Columbus Police Department provides plenty of career opportunities for potential police officers interested in keeping the peace in Columbus. When applying for Columbus police jobs, there are a series of steps you must first complete before becoming a sworn officer:
- Step 1. Review Basic Qualifications and Complete an Application
- Step 2. Physical Agility Test
- Step 3. Background Check
- Step 4. Polygraph and Psychological Exams
- Step 5. Board Interview
- Step 6. Academy Training
Step 1. Review Basic Qualifications and Complete an Application
To ensure that you eligible for a position with the Columbus Police Department, you must meet the following basic qualifications and requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must be in good physical and mental condition
- Must be of high moral character
- Must not have any felony convictions, or misdemeanors involving frequent driving violations, aggressive or violent behavior, or falsifying information in the court of law
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must not have used any schedule II or III drugs in the last 5 years
- Must have no dishonorable discharge from the military, if applicable
If you meet the qualifications and requirements stated above, then you can go ahead and fill out the job application with the Columbus Police Department. The application involves a host of background information in regards to experience, skills and qualifications.
Step 2. Physical Agility Test
The physical agility examination involves an obstacle course, sit-ups, push-ups, a one-mile run and a host of other physical tests. The tests are meant to examine your ability to handle the physical duties of the job as a sworn police officer with the department.
Step 3. Background Check
The background check will provide a thorough investigation of your past. Information will include credit history, work history, rental history, educational history and a host of other information. If any information on your application is found to be false, then you will be disqualified from participating in the rest of the hiring process.
Step 4. Polygraph and Psychological Exams
When it comes to how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Columbus, the next step will be a polygraph test. The polygraph test will ask you about information obtained from your background check and will seek to test your ability to deal with stress, as well as be honest and truthful. The psychological exam will seek to determine whether you are mentally capable of handling the job as a police officer with the Columbus, Georgia Police Department.
Step 5. Board Interview
Next up is a board interview with a group of representatives from the police department. The interview will review all of the information obtained thus far in the hiring and recruitment process. If you pass the interview, you will be offered a job and enrolled in the training academy.
Step 6. Academy Training
The Citizens Law Enforcement Academy will train you in the following areas, among many others:
- Firearm handling
- Patrol operations
- Criminal investigation
- Radar operation
- Traffic accident procedures
Becoming a Police Officer in Savannah, Georgia
With a population of nearly 150,000 residents, the Savannah-Chatham Metro area is the fourth-largest in the state of Georgia. Because of its large population, the Savannah Police Department is often on the lookout for qualified applicants to fill job openings.
When considering how to become a cop in Savannah by meeting departmental requirements, there are a series of steps you must complete:
- Step 1. Basic Qualifications and Application Packet
- Step 2. Written Examination and Physical Fitness Test
- Step 3. Oral Board Interview
- Step 4. Polygraph Test and Background Check
- Step 5. Psychological and Medical Exams
- Step 6. Final Interview
- Step 7. Academy Training
Step 1. Basic Qualifications and Application Packet
The basic qualifications are as follows:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have no felony convictions or serious misdemeanors
- Must have 20/20 corrected vision
- Must have a valid driver’s license
If you meet the above qualifications, then you will be asked to complete an application packet with the Savannah Police Department.
Step 2. Written Examination and Physical Fitness Test
The written examination will measure your ability to think critically, as well as your general knowledge of what a police officer does and how well you understand city, state and federal laws. You can find a study guide here. The physical fitness test requires that you do the following:
- 25 push-ups in one minute
- 30 sit-ups in one minute
- 1.5 mile run in less than 16 minutes
Step 3. Oral Board Interview
Next, you will be subjected to an oral board interview with a host of representatives from the Savannah Police Department. The interview will go over all of the information obtained thus far in the applications and examinations.
Step 4. Polygraph Test and Background Check
The polygraph and background tests will review all of your information in order to find out if there are any discrepancies with the information provided in your application packet. If it is found that you have falsified any information you will be automatically disqualified from becoming a police officer.
Step 5. Psychological and Medical Exams
These exams are meant to determine if you are physically and mentally ready to perform the daily duties of a police officer with the Savannah Police Department.
Step 6. Final Interview
The final interview will be a short review of your qualifications and skills, and then you will receive a conditional job interview; the conditions being whether or not you complete the academy and field training.
Step 7. Academy Training
The training academy will teach you the basic skills and education needed to perform the duties of a sworn police officer. The academy classes last 11-weeks, and is followed by an additional 11-weeks of field training with the department. After those training phases, you will be working solo as a Savannah, Georgia police officer and will receive additional testing and training throughout the next year before becoming a full-time employee.