How to Become a Police Officer in Rhode Island

• Cranston, Rhode Island
• Providence, Rhode Island
• Pawtucket, Rhode Island
• Providence, Rhode Island
• Warwick, Rhode Island

Becoming a Police Officer in Cranston, Rhode Island

The Cranston Police Department is committed to enhancing public safety and reducing the fear of crime for the citizens of Cranston, Rhode Island. The sworn officers of the Cranston Police Department are dedicated to protecting life, liberty, and property; enforcing laws; and preserving the peace.

This guide can provide you with step-by-step instructions if you are interested in becoming a police officer in Cranston:

1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
2. Apply for Employment
3. Take the Physical Agility Test
4. Take Written Exam
5. Undergo Background Investigation
6. Participate in the Oral Interview
7. Complete Remaining Testing
8. Attend Police Training

Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements

If you want to learn how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Cranston, you must first begin by reviewing the Department’s minimum employment requirements. In particular, individuals interested in attaining Cranston police jobs must:

• Be at least 20 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Have no felony convictions
• Not be color blind
• Possess a valid Rhode Island driver’s license

In addition, candidates for Cranston police jobs must have ONE of the following:

• Have completed at least 30 college credits from an accredited university or college by the time of application and at least 60 college credits before the date of hire
• Have served for at least 2 continuous years of active military service in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Have graduated from a certified state or municipal policy academy and have at least 2 years of continuous, full-time employment as a police or corrections officer

Step 2. Apply for Employment

The Cranston Police Department accepts applications only during open recruitment drives.
You can learn more about upcoming recruitment drives and what to expect there by visiting the Cranston Police Department website’s Training Division page. Individuals are encouraged to attend a recruitment drive to complete an application for employment and learn more about the application and employment process.

Step 3. Take the Physical Agility Test

The first step in the employment process is the physical agility test, and candidates who meet minimum eligibility requirements can expect to be contacted by the Department regarding testing dates and times. The physical agility test is a pass/fail test, meaning that only those candidates who pass all portions of the test are eligible to continue with the employment process.

You can review the physical agility standards here.

Step 4. Take Written Exam

All eligible candidates will move on to take the written examination, which assesses a candidate’s reading, observation, memory, and written communication skills. You must achieve a minimum score of 70 percent to remain eligible to continue the employment process.

You must bring a valid photo I.D. and a $25 money order, made out to the City of Cranston,  on the date of the written exam. You will not be permitted to take the exam without your photo I.D. or money order.

You will be contacted, via mail, of your written test score.

Step 5. Undergo Background Investigation

Candidates who pass the written exam will be asked to complete a Background Information Package and return it, along with the required documentation, to the Cranston Police Training Division, which is located at 493 Phoenix Avenue.

You will be scheduled, upon returning the Background Information Package, for the oral interview.

Step 6. Participate in the Oral Interview

The oral interview is a graded interview, and candidates must receive a minimum score of 70 percent to pass. The oral interview score will be combined with the written test score (oral interview constitutes 40 percent of the final score and the written test score constitutes 60 percent of the final score) for an overall ranking, which will be used to rank candidates on the eligibility list.

You will be contacted, via mail, of your ranking on the eligibility list.

Step 7. Complete Remaining Testing

Upon being selected from the eligibility list, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, which is contingent upon passing a background investigation, an integrity interview, a physical, and a psychological examination.

Step 8. Attend Police Training

All new recruits with the Cranston Police Department must complete a police academy program through the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy, followed by a year-long probation that includes training through the Field Training Officer program.

Becoming a Police Officer in East Providence, Rhode Island

The East Providence Police Department consists of law enforcement officers who provide services to the citizens of East Providence, Rhode Island, through a patrol division, a detective division, and a service division.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to become a cop in East Providence by meeting the Department’s requirements.

1. Meet Minimum Requirements
2. Submit a Pre-Application for Employment
3. Take the Physical Agility Test
4. Take the Written Exam
5. Participate in an Oral Interview
6. Complete Testing for Employment
7. Attend Police Academy Training

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements

Individuals interested in becoming a police officer in East Providence must first determine if they meet minimum requirements for employment as set forth by the East Providence Police Department. In particular, all applicants for East Providence police jobs must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Further, all applicants must have ONE of the following:

• At least 2 years of active-duty military service
  
• At least 4 years of reserve or National Guard duty
  
• Certificate from Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy
• At least 3 years employment as a correctional officer
• Bachelor’s degree in any major
• Associate’s degree in law enforcement or criminal justice
• College transcript with 60 or more credit hours (with a major in law enforcement or criminal justice)

Individuals will be automatically disqualified if they have:

• A dishonorable discharge from the military
• Incarceration for any misdemeanor offense
• A conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude
• A domestic violence offense
• A DUI offense, reckless driving offense, eluding police offense, or leaving the scene of an accident offense within the last 5 years
• Sold, distributed, or possessed illegal drugs

Step 2. Submit a Pre-Application for Employment

Before you can apply for East Providence police jobs, you must identify upcoming recruitment dates by viewing the East Providence Police Department homepage and complete a pre-application form (which is available on the website during open recruitment periods).

Note: Pay close attention to the deadline posted on the pre-application form, as you must have it returned to the Human Resources office by 4:00PM on the deadline date:

East Providence City Hall
Human Resources (Room 306)
145 Taunton Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914

You may also return the pre-application form at any recruitment open house listed on the website.

Step 3. Take the Physical Agility Test

Provided you meet minimum requirements for employment and have completed and submitted a pre-application form, the Department will contact you with the time and location of the physical agility test. You must pass all components of the physical agility test to remain a candidate for East Providence police jobs. You can view physical agility standards here.

Upon passing the physical agility test, you will receive information regarding the date and time of the written exam. You will also receive a full application at this time.

Step 4. Take the Written Exam

You must complete and submit the full application, along with all related documents, before you take the written exam. On the date of the exam, you will be required to bring an examination fee of $30 (check or money order) made payable to the City of East Providence.

You must receive a minimum score of 70 percent to remain eligible to continue the employment process.

Step 5. Participate in an Oral Interview

Once you have passed the written exam, the Department will contact you with a date and time (via email) of your oral interview.  You will receive a score for the oral interview, and it will be combined with the score of the written test. Candidates will then be ranked and placed on an eligibility list according to their final scores.

Step 6. Complete Testing for Employment

Upon being selected from the eligibility list, you will be given a conditional offer of employment, which will be contingent upon an extensive background investigation, swim proficiency test, medical screening, and psychological exam.

Any questions regarding the application or employment process can be directed to Human Resources at 401-435-7766.

Step 7. Attend Police Academy Training

All new recruits with the East Providence Police Department must attend the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy.

Becoming a Police Officer in Pawtucket, Rhode Island

153 sworn officers and 50 civilian personnel make up the Pawtucket Police Department, which is the third largest municipal police department in Rhode Island. This full-time police department serves the citizens of Pawtucket, Rhode Island through patrol, criminal investigation, and community services.

If you want to learn how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Pawtucket, use this guide to learn more about the employment process.

1. Meet Minimum Requirements
2. Submit an Application for Employment
3. Take the Physical Fitness Assessment
4. Take the Entry-Level Written Exam
5. Participate in Initial Interview and Undergo Background Investigation
6. Interview with the Police Commander
7. Complete Employment Testing
8. Complete Police Academy Training Program

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements

Individuals interested in becoming a police officer in Pawtucket must first identify the Department’s minimum employment requirements. In particular, candidates for Pawtucket police jobs must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have completed at least 30 college credits from an accredited college or university OR have one year of active military service

Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment

Before submitting an application for Pawtucket police jobs, you must first determine if the Department is currently accepting applications. You can find this information by viewing the Pawtucket Police Department’s Employment page. If the Department is currently accepting applications, you will be able to download, print and complete an application from the Department’s website.

Step 3. Take the Physical Fitness Assessment

The first step in the employment testing process for Pawtucket police jobs is the physical fitness assessment, which includes four components: one-minute sit-up test; one-minute push-up test; 1.5-mile run; and a 300-meter sprint.

All components of this test must be satisfactorily completed to move on in the employment testing process. You can learn more about the physical fitness standards here.

Step 4. Take the Entry-Level Written Exam

The entry-level written exam, which is reserved only for eligible candidates, is the next step in the employment process. Candidates must pass this test with a minimum score of 70 percent to move on with the employment testing process.

Step 5. Participate in Initial Interview and Background Investigation

All eligible candidates will be scheduled for an interview with the Interview Board. Candidates recommended by the Interview Board will continue on with the employment process.

Step 6. Interview with the Police Commander

Only select candidates who passed the background investigation will be scheduled for a formal interview with the Police Commander. Only those candidates recommended by the Police Commander will be given a conditional offer of employment.

Step 7. Complete Employment Testing

The conditional offer of employment is contingent upon passing a psychological test, a physical exam, and a drug screen.

Step 8. Complete Police Academy Training Program

Upon receiving an offer of employment, all new police recruits are required to attend police academy training through the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy.

Becoming a Police Officer in Providence, Rhode Island

The Providence Police Department, one of the oldest police departments in the country and the second largest in New England, serves the citizens of Providence, Rhode Island, through law enforcement, traffic, investigative, and community services.

You can use this guide for step-by-step instructions on the employment process if you want to learn how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Providence:

1. Meet Minimum Requirements
2. Submit an Application for Employment
3. Take the Physical Fitness Assessment
4. Take the Written Test
5. Undergo Background Investigation and Oral Interview
6. Complete Remaining Testing
7. Attend Police Academy Training

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements

Individuals interested in becoming a police officer in Providence must first ensure they meet minimum requirements for employment. In particular, the Providence Police Department requires candidates to:

• Be at least 21 years old by the completion of the academy
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment

Further, applicants with a dishonorable discharge, any felony convictions, or with a misdemeanor conviction within the last 5 years are not eligible for Providence police jobs.

Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment

The application for employment is only available during times of recruitment. The Providence Police Department website provides up-to-date information on upcoming dates for recruitment.

You may register on the City of Providence website (you will be asked to create an account by entering a login and password) to gain access to the application form when it becomes available.

You may also contact the City of Providence’s Department of Human Resources at 401-421-7740 x240 for further information regarding the registration and application process.

Upon completing the application for employment for Providence police jobs, you can expect to receive all correspondence from the Department via email.

Step 3. Take the Physical Fitness Assessment

The first test you will be contacted by the Department to take, provided you meet all minimum eligibility requirements, is the pass/fail physical fitness assessment, which is conducted by certified instructors.

You can learn more about the physical fitness standards by viewing the Department’s Recruitment brochure. The Department encourages all candidates to practice the physical fitness assessment requirements before their scheduled test dates.

Step 4. Take the Written Test

Upon passing the physical fitness assessment, you will be scheduled to take the written test, which is administered by an outside agency. The written test is a high-school level, multiple-choice test.

You will also be required to bring the following documents with you on the date of your written test:

• Birth certificate
• High school diploma/GED certificate
• Driver’s license

Step 5. Undergo Background Investigation and Oral Interview

Candidates who pass the written exam may then move on with the selection process, which includes undergoing a thorough background investigation and oral interview. Select candidates, upon successfully completing the oral interview and the background investigation, will receive a conditional offer of employment, upon successfully completing all remaining employment testing.

Step 6. Complete Remaining Testing

The last step in the pre-employment process includes a psychological evaluation and a medical examination, which includes a drug screening.

Step 7. Attend Police Academy Training

All new recruits must attend police academy training through the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy (RIMPTA), followed by mandatory field training.

Becoming a Police Officer in Warwick, Rhode Island

The Warwick Police Department provides law enforcement services to the nearly 83,000 citizens of Warwick, Rhode Island, through patrol operations, traffic enforcement, community policing, criminal investigations, and community caretaking activities.

This guide can provide you with step-by-step instructions as you pursue aspirations of becoming a police officer in Warwick, Rhode Island:

1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
2. Submit an Application for Employment
3. Take the Physical Agility Test
4. Take the Written Exam
5. Complete a Comprehensive Employment Application
6. Interview with the Oral Board
7. Complete Employment Testing
8. Attend Police Academy

Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements

Individuals who want to learn how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Warwick must first observe the minimum employment requirements set forth by the Warwick Police Department. In particular, all candidates for Warwick police jobs must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and ONE of the following:

• 60 credits from an accredited college or university
• 3 years of continuous and active military service
• 3 years of continuous and full-time law enforcement or corrections experience
• 5 years of continuous military reserves service

Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment

The Warwick Police Department accepts applications during recruitment drives. You may view Warwick Police Department Recruitment Drive page for more information on upcoming recruitment dates. You may also contact the Professional Standards Division at 401-468-4323 for more information.

If the Department is not currently accepting applications but an upcoming recruitment drive has been announced, you may complete a preliminary application. You can then expect an email once the Department has begun accepting applications and a physical agility date and time has been announced.

Step 3. Take the Physical Agility Test

The first step in the employment process for Warwick police jobs is the physical agility test, which is administered by certified instructors. This agility test is a job-task related assessment that consists of four phases, all of which must be successfully completed to remain a candidate.

Step 4. Take the Written Exam

All eligible candidates who passed the physical agility test will be scheduled for the written test, which usually takes place in the days immediately following the physical agility test. There is a $25, non-refundable fee to take this test, and it must be paid in check or money order on the date of the test. You must score at least 70 percent on the written test to continue with the employment process.

Step 5. Complete a Comprehensive Employment Application

If you haven’t yet completed a comprehensive employment application, you will be required to do so before continuing with the selection process. Once you have submitted your application, the Department will schedule you for an Oral Board interview.

Step 6. Interview with the Oral Board

You will be required to interview with the Oral Board, which consists of sworn officers from the Warwick Police Department. You can expect to answer hypothetical questions and questions regarding your application.  The Oral Board will provide you with a score and combine that with your written test score. Your final score will determine your ranking on the eligibility list.

Candidates must attain a minimum, combined score of 70 percent to be placed on the eligibility list.

You will be notified by mail of your ranking on the eligibility list.

Step 7. Complete Employment Testing

If you are chosen from the eligibility list, the Department will extend a conditional offer of employment to you, at which time you must complete the employment testing process, which includes a medical exam, a psychological evaluation, and a complete background investigation.

Step 8. Attend Police Academy

All new recruits must complete 20 weeks of training through the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, followed by mandatory field training.

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