How To Become a Police Officer in Georgia in 11 Steps

Updated July 15, 2023

If you're interested in becoming a police officer, you'll need to fulfill the specific requirements set out by your state, with each state having its own distinct set of criteria. For example, becoming a police officer in Georgia requires certain qualifications and the completion of a specific set of training. Understanding the requirements to become a police officer in the state of Georgia and what the process is can help you begin pursuing this career.In this article, we review the steps for how to become a police officer in Georgia and share tips for aspiring police officers.

How to become a police officer in Georgia

Below are 11 steps you can follow to become a police officer in the state of Georgia:

1. Meet basic qualifications

In Georgia, there are basic qualifications to meet before you can begin police officer training. Recruits are required to be at least 18 years old, have United States citizenship and possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The state also requires you to pass a background screening, a psychological evaluation and a physical before you can apply to academies. Ensure you meet these requirements before applying for a training academy or police officer role so you can prove you're a viable candidate.Related: Should I Become a Police Officer? (Duties, Salary and Skills)

2. Contact police academies

In Georgia, the first step is to complete an application from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST Council). To get a better grasp of their programs and requirements, it can be helpful to speak directly with admissions officers or other individuals working at the academy you wish to attend. Take some time to research police academies in your area and reach out to them directly for further insights into their programs.

3. Take the entrance exam

Police academies in Georgia require you to pass an entrance exam before enrolling in a program. There are three potential entrance exams in Georgia: The Accuplacer, COMPASS or ASSET tests. You can schedule a testing session for one of these tests at most technical colleges in Georgia. Each test is available on specific dates at specific locations, and advanced registration is required to take the test. Related: 16 Jobs in Criminal Justice With No Required Police Training

4. Pass a background check

Once you finish the entrance exam, you'll need to complete a background check. To be a police officer in Georgia, you must have no previous record of imprisonment or criminal activity. This background screening often includes a drug test. You can schedule a background check by contacting the company Professional Screening and Information (PSI), which performs all official background checks for police officers in Georgia.When you fill out the forms for the background check, you can specify which academy you want your results sent to. There is a $304 fee that needs to be paid before the company will complete your background check request.

5. Get a medical evaluation

As part of the necessary prerequisites to enroll in a police academy, you'll need to schedule a medical evaluation with a qualified physician. These evaluations help ensure that you're healthy enough to perform the physical tasks of being a police officer. This screening can also include an eye exam. While there are costs associated with these exams, they vary, so it's important to verify pricing with your preferred academy.Related: What Is the Police Psychological Exam?

6. Attend an interview

After completing your entrance exam, passing a background investigation and connecting with police academies, your chosen academy will contact you to schedule an interview with the academy manager. This is a formal, professional interview where the manager ensures you're suitable for their police officer training program. It's important to prepare for this interview so you can present yourself well and highlight your qualifications. Dress appropriately for the interview, research the academy in advance and prepare a list of questions that you want to ask the interviewers. If you perform well in this interview, you can officially enroll in the academy as an applicant and candidate.Read more: 32 Police Oral Board Interview Questions (Plus Sample Answers)

7. Submit your application

Once your police academy accepts you, you'll send an application to the POST Council to finalize the enrollment. Applications require proof of your background check, test scores, medical evaluation records and approval from the academy's manager. You can find the application on the POST Council's website. You'll also use the POST Council site to complete the application and submit the application fee. Related: 9 Different Types of Police Officers (With Job Duties)

8. Pass physical agility tests

Georgia state law requires police academy recruits to complete three physical agility tests before attending their program. These tests occur 30, 15 and seven days before you start your police academy training. In these tests, you complete a course that requires you to perform multiple physical tasks, such as running, jumping, crawling, climbing and dragging heavy objects.Be sure to prepare physically before your agility tests to ensure you're ready. On the dates of your tests, arrive early because tardiness results in an automatic test failure.Related: US Marshal vs Police: What's the Difference?

9. Attend the police academy

After completing your physical agility tests successfully, you begin your police academy training as a police officer candidate. Academy training programs usually last around six months and teach important skills, including shooting, criminal procedures, ethics, crime prevention techniques and community relations. Most programs finish with a final exam and award you your police certification after a graduation ceremony.There are fees associated with attending the academy. Most institutions require you to pay tuition before you can participate in classroom learning, and some may also require you to purchase additional equipment or materials before courses begin.Read more: FAQ: What Do You Do in the Police Academy?

10. Apply for jobs as a police officer

You can begin your search for police officer positions either during your time in the academy or after you receive your certification. The hiring process for police officer positions functions like most jobs, with an application, resume and potentially an interview. Consider searching the websites of nearby police stations to see if they're hiring for any open roles. If a station mentions specific skills in its posting that you have, be sure to include these on your resume to reinforce your qualifications for the job.Related: Police Sergeant Interview Questions: 5 Samples and Examples

11. Complete field training

When a police department accepts you as a police officer recruit, you participate in field training. This training allows you to perform certain police tasks under the supervision of an experienced officer. Once you complete field training, you can join the police station as a full-time officer.Use this time to learn about the different aspects of being an officer and the available opportunities. Ask questions during your training, and be open to receiving feedback to help you improve your skills.Related: Guide: How To Become an Undercover Cop

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Tips for new Georgia police officers

Here are a few suggestions that can help you start your career as a police officer in Georgia:

Check county requirements

Some individual counties have different rules than the rest of the state of Georgia. For example, Cobb County only accepts police officer recruits over the age of 21. Research the rules of the county you want to work in to confirm if there are any unique regulations to be aware of.

Find a mentor

Finding a police officer that can mentor can be helpful in preparing for the police academy, practicing for your interview and even discovering unlisted job opportunities. Consider asking people you know who are police officers or contacting a local police station to try to find a mentor.Read more: How To Find a Mentor in 8 Steps (Plus Mentorship Tips)

Study for your placement test

Studying for this test can help increase your chances of passing and enrolling at the Georgia training center of your choice. Try to discover if there are any resources at your nearby technical college to help you prepare for the placement exam, such as tutors, written test guides or practice exams.Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

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How To Become a Police Officer in Georgia in 11 Steps